How to Create Believable Fiction Characters

The storyline in a fiction novel may stretch the imagination, but the characters within must be believable to capture the attention of the knowledgeable reader. Real characters are the lifeblood of a novel and the reader bonds with them as the storyline unfolds.

Believable fictional characters do not have to be bland, ordinary individuals. They can be interesting, colorful even eccentric, but must be real enough to be accepted in the mind of the reader. How can we develop a good, believable fictional character?

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES.
A writer brings a character to life by describing them in a way that creates a picture in the mind of the reader. Describing physical features in appealing way can bring the character to life in a way that a simple description won't. Use vivid expressive words to tell your reader what this person really looks like.

PERSONALITY.
The personality of a character is far more important than how they look. A good, believable character will have an individuality that either makes them interesting, appealing or even despised. Real people have real traits and behavior patterns, characteristics that should be evident in your portrayal.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS.
Some of those personality traits may be especially unique, perhaps idiosyncratic, peculiar or out of the ordinary.
The TV detective, Adrian Monk is an example of a unique individual with his obsessive, compulsive, phobic behavior.

USE IMAGINATION.
Writing, especially fiction, is about creativity and a writer has license to create characters purely from his or her imagination.

PEOPLE YOU KNOW.
Creating characters based on people you actually know will guarantee a believable character. Friends, family and associates open up a wide field of options as you search for suitable personalities for your novel.