+ Examples
"Before writing, you need to know your character's shoe size, birthplace, favorite memory, dental records--" Yeah, no.
As a new writer, I spent so much time creating character profiles I never looked at again. Now, I've figured out exactly what I need to know about a character before I outline and write.
Most of my character profiles, if you could call them that, are under 100 words, and I usually only do them for 3-5 characters per story. Yet they are invaluable! I'm sharing my 5 ingredients for the perfect character here for you to adopt in whatever way works.
Note: Aspects of my process are heavily influenced by Abbie Emmons. Definitely check her out!
1. Desire
This is the tangible thing your character wants and is actively working toward from the beginning of the novel (and even before it starts). It is also the intangible feeling that your character wants to have after getting the tangible.
The desire is going to be the driving force for your character. When wondering what your character would try to do next, look to their desire. That's the direction they want to go in.
Example: Hershey wants to become a lead detective and wants to feel like she's a good person deserving of forgiveness. Therefore, the novel starts while she's working toward this desire.
2. Fear
This is what's stopping your character from living their best life. It's the voice inside their head, planted by a specific experience and/or years of living a certain way.
This should be a general fear of something big. It touches all aspects of their lives. The enneagram is a great tool for inspiration. Here are some examples:
Fear of being unloved or unlovable
Fear of failure
Fear of conflict
Fear of never being remembered
Your character's fear is what has stopped them from getting their Desire up to this point.
Example: Hershey fears that she's a bad person and will never make up for her mistakes because she botched an critical case early in her career. Therefore, she self-sabotages and under-sells herself.
3. Misbelief
This is a lie your character believes about themselves and/or the world, created by their Fear. It's a blanket statement that the character applies to life, even if it seems illogical to an outsider.
Their misbelief is going to fuel tension and motivation. It will be challenged and supported throughout the story by events and other characters. In a positive character arc, the character will let go of their misbelief by the end of the story. In a negative arc, the character will hold onto their misbelief and take it to the extreme.
Example: Hershey believes that making a mistake makes you a bad person, unworthy of forgiveness. This is supported when her boss yells at her for an error. This is challenged when a reformed criminal kindly helps her on the case.
4. Truth
This is the opposite of your character's Misbelief. Easy enough, right?
This is also your story's theme, the "lesson" readers will learn alongside your character. I know it sounds preachy or cliche, but this mainly happens on a subconscious level.
This truth is the story's guiding principle and gives a clear endpoint to the character's arc. In a positive arc, all steps should lead your character to this undeniable truth. Once your character believes the truth, the reader will marvel at their growth. There are few things as satisfying.
Example: Hershey must learn that mistakes don't make you a bad person and that you can grow from them.
5. The Worst Thing That Could Happen To Them
Call me a masochist, but this is my favorite thing to figure out. This one is self-explanatory except that The Worst Thing must be personal and specific.
It sucks for anyone when their significant other breaks up with them. It sucks WAY MORE for the character whose misbelief is that they're unlovable. It sucks for any protagonist to fail a test. It sucks WAY MORE for the character who fears failure.
The Worst Thing should make their Fear come true in some way, or perhaps think that it came true. It will often reinforce their Misbelief. Just in time for them to unlearn it!
Do what you can to include The Worst Thing in your story. It's so satisfying to see characters at their lowest point. (This drives directly into the All is Lost plot beat in the Save the Cat! method.)
Example: Hershey makes another costly mistake and a trusted colleague says they'll never forgive her for it--confirming that she's a bad person unworthy of forgiveness.
Popular Fiction Examples
Whew! That was difficult to break down. If you need any clarification on this, let me know!
I've shared the 5 ingredients in three popular characters as examples. Notice how I write in first-person to get in the character's mindset. Beware spoilers! These are my interpretation, so feel free to disagree. Also note that in series, characters often have more than one arc.
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
Desire: I want to feel safe and protect those around me, so I hunt and keep my head down to care for Prim and Gale.
Fear: I will lose another person I love just like I lost my father.
Misbelief: Although what the Capitol does is wrong, I am powerless to do anything about it. It is better to comply than to put the people I love on the line.
Truth: The best thing I can do for the people I love is to break the systems that put them in danger. I have power to fight back and survive on my own terms.
The Worst Thing: Fighting back against the Capitol costs me another person I love.
Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief)
Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows)
How would you break down your favorite characters using this method? Share in the comments!
If you found this helpful, consider subscribing to my newsletter.
You’ll get bonus writing worksheets, behind-the-scenes updates, and reminders about blog posts every month!
Write on the Exhale
Comments