In the Flesh: Fleshing Out Flat Characters

Characters play just as many roles in the writing process as they do in the novel itself. Some characters spark the very idea of the story, others show up when needed to suit plot, and others are doomed to life as nothing more than spear carriers. Most of the time, by the end of a first draft you’ll have too many, and some (if not all) will be flat as cardboard. Now’s the time to start bringing them to life.

Get Real, People
Characters will pop in and out as you write, even if you aren't sure what to do with them or how they fit. Some of these characters will be stars, others will be people for your readers to trip over as they navigate the story. After you've figured out which to keep and which to cut, you'll likely want to develop them more and make them as rich and three dimensional as your main character. Or, you might be the type who prefers to flesh out everyone after the fact once you see how the story unfolds.

Try looking at what role each character plays in the story. Not their "the protag's best friend" type role, but a thematic role. For example, in The Shifter, Aylin is the voice of reason. She's the practical one when Nya gears up to dive headfirst and full speed into something she believes in (she a bit of an idealist). Knowing this, as I edit I keep Aylin's role in mind. Her style and behavior should reflect her personality and role, both as the best friend, and as the voice of reason. Her actions will also  reinforce this.



Motivation is a big key to creating three-dimensional characters. Anybody can act out what the plot tells them to, but to feel real, they need to have believable motivations for these actions. And then they need to act in ways that are true to their background and who they are. Especially if the plot requires them to go against those beliefs, which you'll do to them at some point, because that's fun.

While very little of Aylin's history is in the actual book, what is there shows how she became the person she is and gives her the motivation she needs to be the character I need her to be. I know her story even if it never makes it to the pages.

As you're going through each of your characters, ask yourself (and them) a few questions:

What role do they play?
The clown, the sidekick, the optimist, the pessimist. Chance are they're in the book to show something that relates to the story or provides you a way to show a perspective different from your protag.

Do they see themselves in this role, or do they play it unconsciously?
Someone might not know they're the wet blanket, and this could affect how they act and think. Or they might know their role and do their best to live up to it, even when they don't agree with what they think they should be saying or doing.

How do others see them?
People often adjust who they are to fit in with a group. If someone is expected to be an X, they might try to play that role even if they're a Y.

How do they feel about how others see them?
Their level of self confidence will affect how they act.

How do they feel about the world around them?
This is where a strong POV (even if they're not the POV character) comes in. No matter who they are or what their background is like, they'll have very strong opinions about things based on that background. If their opinions differ from your protag, that gives you a great sounding board to discuss the pros and cons of a story point without sounding like you're discussing the story for the reader's benefit.

How do they feel about the other characters?
People will pretend to like (or dislike) someone their best friend does (or doesn't). Inner feelings will change outer actions.

How do they feel about the problem at hand?
This can help guide you in how they'll act and react to what's happening.

What are their hopes, both in general and in the specific story problem?
What are their fears, both in general and in the specific story problem?
What won't they do to help the protag?
These three questions can help you understand how far they'd be willing to go -- or what lines they won't cross.

This should give you a pretty good sense of who this character is and how they feel about things in the story. You'll notice nowhere in those questions do I ask about their history or backstory. Create that as richly as you'd like, and use that when you're asking the deeper, emotional questions. Their history will be reflected in how they'd answer or feel.

Don't have a solid history for them yet? Try these questions:

Where did they grow up?
Different regions and culture impart different morals and views.

What was their childhood like?
People are shaped by how they grew up, good and bad.

What was the most traumatic thing to ever happen to them?
This could be a strong phobia or issue to them.

What was the best thing to ever happen to them?
This could affect their level of optimism or sense that things will work out.

How did these two events shape their perceptions of the world?
This could help determine how they approach and solve problems.

Who is their family?
We all are affected by our family, by how they shaped us and how we handle other relationships.

What was their economic background?
The person who struggled looks at the world differently than the one who got everything.

What was their educational background?
There could be things they just don't know, or be too ignorant or inexperienced to even think of.

What was their moral or religious background?
The girl raised with a strict upbringing might rebel far worse than the girl raised with lots of freedom. Or she might be doubly conservative.

What makes them happy?
The little joys can cause us to do things we might not do otherwise.

What makes them sad?
Bad feelings can cause people to act badly.

What pisses them off?
How someone handles anger says a lot about them and how they grew up.

What scares them?
Anyone can be scared of the common things, but the weird stuff that freaks us out affects us much more.

You'll no doubt already have the basic physical description and general background, but by digging a little deeper into how they feel and what shaped those feelings, you'll be able to tailor everything they say and do to reflect who they are. And that will give you a much more rounded character.