In the first article of this series, we laid the groundwork for character development by focusing on physical attributes, sensory details, actions, and interactions. Now, let’s delve deeper into creating rich backstories, motivations, fears, desires, and idiosyncrasies that add depth and complexity to our characters. We’ll also explore how to embrace contradictions to make our characters more realistic and multidimensional.
Creating Rich Backstories
A character’s backstory is their personal history, a range of experiences, relationships, and events that shape who they are. To create a rich backstory, consider the following elements:
Family and Upbringing: The dynamics within a family play a crucial role in shaping a character’s personality and outlook on life. Was your character raised in a nurturing environment, or did they face constant criticism? Did they grow up in a bustling urban setting, a quiet rural town, or somewhere in between? Each of these aspects influences their worldview and behavior. For instance, Maya, our created character from article one, grew up in a blue-collar family with a single father working multiple jobs; as a result, she developed a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility from a young age.
Education and Early Influences: Schooling and early mentors can significantly impact a character’s development. Did they excel in school, or did they struggle academically? Were they inspired by a particular teacher or role model? These experiences can ignite passions and set career paths. Maya’s passion for mechanics, for example, was sparked by an inspiring shop teacher during her high school years.
Personal Relationships: Relationships with friends, enemies, and romantic partners add layers to a character’s backstory. Who were their closest friends, and did they have any significant rivals? What were their romantic experiences like, and how did these shape their views on love and trust? Maya’s close-knit group of friends shared her interests, while a tumultuous relationship with a fellow mechanic taught her valuable lessons about loyalty and trust.
Career and Aspirations: A character’s professional life and ambitions reveal much about their values and motivations. What career path did they choose, and what drives them to succeed? What are their proudest accomplishments and biggest failures? For instance, Maya opening her own garage and offering affordable repair services to her community reflects her determination and desire to make a difference.
Traumas and Challenges: Significant losses, fears, and internal struggles add depth to a character. How did they cope with the death of a loved one or a major failure? What are their deepest fears, and where do they stem from? Maya’s fear of abandonment, stemming from the loss of her father at a young age, drives her fierce independence and reluctance to form close relationships.
Background and Motivations
Understanding your character’s background helps illuminate their motivations; the reasons behind their actions and decisions. Motivations can be driven by personal values, desires, and fears. For example, Maya is driven by a desire to prove herself in a profession predominantly occupied by men and to honor her father’s memory through her success. Her fear of abandonment makes her wary of forming close relationships, but her loyalty to her community drives her to help others.
Adding Quirks and Contradictions
Quirks and contradictions make characters more relatable and interesting. They reflect the complexity of real people, who often exhibit contradictory traits.
Quirks and Habits: Consider physical tics, speech patterns, and daily rituals that make your character unique. Does your character jiggle their foot when nervous or twirl their hair when deep in thought? Do they have a catchphrase or a unique way of speaking? For instance, Maya has a habit of cracking her knuckles when deep in thought and always carries a small notebook to jot down mechanical and other ideas.
However, as noted in the previous article, it’s important not to overdo quirks and habits, as they can make a character seem annoying or silly. For example, if a character repeatedly uses a speech quirk like “Let me tell you something” before every sentence, it can quickly become repetitive and cartoonish. Similarly, if a character’s physical tic, such as constantly adjusting their glasses, is highlighted too often, it can distract from the character’s depth and development.
Contradictions: Embrace the inconsistencies in your character’s personality and behavior. Are they a tough exterior with a soft heart? A perfectionist who can be surprisingly spontaneous? Despite her tough exterior, Maya is deeply compassionate and struggles with her fear of abandonment. She finds fulfillment in building a supportive community around her garage.
Embracing Contradictions
Embracing contradictions involves recognizing and incorporating the complexity of human behavior into your character. This makes them more realistic and engaging. By acknowledging and integrating these contradictions, you create characters that feel real and resonate with readers. For instance, Maya’s fierce independence contrasts with her deep compassion, creating a multidimensional character who is both relatable and compelling.
Real-world Example
Consider a real-life figure like Mariame Kaba. Known for her tireless activism and visionary ideas in the realm of prison abolition and transformative justice, she has historically been resistant to personal recognition. In her book, We Do This ‘Til We Free Us, she discusses her reluctance to attach her name to her message, fearing it would shift the focus from the cause to herself. These seeming contradictions—her relentless drive to challenge systemic injustices and her care for personal human stories, coupled with her reluctance for personal recognition—make her a powerful and relatable individual. By embracing such contradictions in your characters, you create figures who feel real and resonate with readers.
Using the “Five Rs” to Develop Characters
To build depth and complexity in your characters, consider the “Five Rs” as a template. This method, which I adapted from Saldaña and Omasta (2021), helps me map out everything from individual characters to broader roles and groups in my own writing. The “Five Rs” include routines, rituals, rules, roles, and relationships.
Routines: What are a character’s daily habits?
Rituals: What significant routines or ceremonies do they participate in?
Rules: What personal or societal rules do they follow or break?
Roles: What roles do they play in their community or family?
Relationships: How do they interact with others? What are their relationships like?
Example Template:
Routines: Maya starts her day with a workout, followed by planning her garage work.
Rituals: Every Sunday, she visits her father’s grave and updates him on her life.
Rules: She believes in honesty and hard work, but occasionally bends the rules to help a friend.
Roles: Maya is a mentor to young mechanics, a leader in her community, and eventually a business owner.
Relationships: She has a close-knit group of friends who respect her, but she keeps romantic relationships at a distance due to her fear of abandonment. While her friendships are stable, her romantic history is inconsistent and chaotic, a contrast in her personal relationships.
By applying the “Five Rs” I have given here, you can systematically develop and deepen your characters, making them more compelling and relatable. This involves creating rich backstories, understanding their motivations, adding quirks and contradictions, and embracing the complexity of human nature. These tools help craft multidimensional characters that resonate with readers and enhance your storytelling. As you continue to develop your characters, remember that their depth comes from both what you reveal on the page and the layers you build beneath the surface.
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