How to Create Believable Characters:

Introduction:

 There is an artistry to making any piece of fictional writing worth reading. How successful, depends on the believability of the characters that the readers can readily recognize. Early character recognition allows the writer's audience to find, identify and choose which of the various player parts most appeals to them. The more detailed the principle personalities are presented for ones readers, the quicker their roles can be ascertained as to the impact each has in the storyline.

 Descriptive writing is to print what detailed graphic art, colour and definition is to the animated film. The subtlety of a well placed adjective can be the difference between a sentence and key piece of plot development. Such constructive detailing adds greatly to the avid readers interest, appreciation and participation. 

Once they focus in on each descriptive nugget found at just the right juncture, they will continue to hone in on those areas that you direct them to, as you skillfully lay out your plot.

 Character Development: 

 Every story ever written contains characters. These characters don't need to be human but they do need to be recognizable. Most readers expect to find certain fundamentals which they are familiar with. There needs to be a plot, which if, properly developed, will contain the following elements necessary to produce a readable storyline.

 Every great story needs its share of primary role players. Heroes and or heroines are our protagonists. Likewise those who challenge, confront and or fight with those deemed heroic are known as the antagonists, the villains. These nefarious characters are necessary to portray the attributes which the author and the readers recognize as detestable, evil and that which is to be shunned in civilized society. 

 The cast of role players is dependent on the scope of the tale the writer wishes to convey. Each character needs to be identifiable as to which side he or she is allied with. The importance of the role each plays in the plot should be understandable as the plot progresses. The goal of any well written story needs to be firmly established, though it doesn't need to be fulfilled in this plot, if it is all but the last of the series. 

 There does need to be an ending which will justify the length of the series should this be the authors intent. The first in the series needs to establish the principle characters so that the readers can choose who it is that they will identify with on a personal level. The artistry of character embodiment is as individual as the personality traits seen in life itself. When nonhuman parties are endowed with traits which normally appear in humans it becomes even more evident. 

Whether it be animals, birds or mythical creatures the personification remains true to the telling of the storyline. All identifying details comes out in the descriptive words used to make them more colourful. Characterization is how the author narrates the individual tales from the perspective of those involved in the big picture which is the novel Itself. The more characters used, the greater the detail of each part's input becomes necessary to allow the readers to envision the true scope of it. 

But what about how to script each Character fully so that they achieve their impact in the storyline?

 There in lies the research necessary to flesh out the traits each party needs to possess! Imagery like that found in Bram Stoker's Dracula , Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of The Rings captivate the readers by using extremely descriptive scenes which bring the key player to life. 

The detail used in these works transforms these highly suggestive words into high definition imagery which activates their audience fertile imaginations exponentially.  This is what makes for reader loyalty when they find a writer who writes for their niche.

 Writers like Arthur Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain and Jules Verne may have written for their own genre but each are household names. The characters and stories each created are timeless, distinctive and riveting for readers of all ages. The masterful use of words to develop the scenes,plots and characters, are sheer genius, as new generations discover their styles which haven't ever stopped entertaining each of their readers. 

 The universal phenomenon in reading spurred on by J. K. Rowling for each release of the Harry Potter series, shows that there is a need for quality storytelling in this age of computer expediency. It was very reminiscent of the ravenous passion displayed by early Holmesian fateful the world over with their love of the Sherlockian method in Imaginative thinking and innovation. 

Writing is very much alive and well today and shows no sign of being usurped in the near future. 

 So what does that tell us about how character development is achieved and why it is so very necessary to being successful as a writer?

 Well I hope that those of you who chose to read this piece did so because you wished to become better at using your own imaginations. You see if you already know what excites your interests, amuses your funny bone, arouses your curiosity, in fact, touches you in any way then you are half way there. my friend. Once you realize the "it" variable. That special hook which got you to read then you have your start. Here is where you begin to start your research by learning to recognize what does it for you. Knowing that is critical to your future success. in being a writer.

 Knowing the why also allows you to see which area of the printed word does it for others like you, your potential audience. Go back and analyze what it was that peaked your interest in your favourite genre. Study the style of your favourite writers and then dissect their characters individually, descriptively and the personality traits of all the players that are key to the plot, in the tales you chose to read.

 Once you can see the techniques, the construction of your own characters will be yours, to bring to life. While all heroes and villains will still have certain traits that tell us who they are and their roles, each will depend on you to flesh them out. You will be the one who will develop their individual persona’s, their unique idiosyncrasies and like you they will be one of a kind because you are.

 Finally just remind yourself that every plot needs it's cast of characters and only you know who they will be. Write for your readers and you'll never go wrong. My final bit of writing advice for you, the readers and potential writers of the next great book, series and or epics, is as follows. 

 Writing is an expression of your own individuality. It should be a labour of love, not a task that invokes fear. Just write for your audience's tastes and tailor it from their viewpoint. The greater the degree of sensory stimulating detail, the greater the overall commitment each reader invests in their overall enjoyment of each story. Their loyalty will tell you how well you've done. 

Be true to yourself when you write every one of your stories. Strive for true originality which will distinguish your work from those who merely choose to plagiarize from their peers. When you proceed on this course of action you will be certain that any success you have is definitely all yours.

 Never ever be too condescending nor too self deprecating went reviewing their opinions. Remember while most may never comment, the number of copies read tells the real success of each piece in print. Enjoy your work and you'll soon see the true appreciation they'll show is in the praise expressed for your stories, by looking for more of the author's efforts.

 Using that kind of approach will insure that any success achieved will definitely be all yours to enjoy. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll find the information on this site helpful. Comments are welcomed and replies are given where warranted!

 By Aka Professor M 

Copyright April,17^th,2015