Creating memorable characters is a crucial part of a compelling story. Whether it’s a hero, a villain, or someone in between, strong protagonists and antagonists are the cornerstone of every great narrative. Here are some tips to help you create characters that stand out:

First, give them depth. A great character isn’t one-dimensional. They’re not only evil or only good. Develop your characters’ backstories, motivations, strengths, and flaws. Good characters’ morals and motives aren’t static, they shift as the character traverses through the plot. What drives them? What do they fear? Even antagonists need reasons for their actions. Complex characters with conflicting emotions or motives feel more real and relatable.

Likewise, don’t be afraid to highlight your characters’ flaws and strengths. “Perfect” characters can be boring. Give your protagonist weaknesses they must overcome, and make sure even your antagonist has a redeeming quality or strength. This complexity adds dimension and makes the audience care about what happens to both characters.

You should also make your characters’ goals clear. Your protagonist should have a clear goal driving the story forward. Their goal should align with your book’s genre. Whether it’s solving a mystery, seeking revenge, or achieving a personal dream, your character’s actions should be driven by the main themes of your novel. The antagonist’s goal should oppose the protagonist’s journey, creating tension and conflict. The more personal the stakes, the more gripping the story.

The last, and one of the most important aspects of creating memorable characters, is showing growth. Memorable characters evolve. Whether it’s learning a lesson, achieving a goal, or descending further into evil, allow your protagonist and antagonist to change over the course of the story. A story with no character development can leave your readers questioning whether the conflicts and tensions paid off. If significant changes are contained to the external actions,  your audience might be left wanting more. Seeing how the events of your novel play out both externally, through the plot, and internally, through the characters, fulfills the readers’ desire to see all angles of your plot’s impacts. Your narrative is a lot stronger if it prompts character growth. Overall, character development keeps readers engaged and adds depth to the narrative.

By creating well-rounded characters with compelling goals, flaws, and personal growth, you can craft protagonists and antagonists that will stick with readers.