I have an idea for a character for another novel series.
These are the traits that this character has.
(NOTE: This is the main character of a novel project in the works.)
Charismatic
Manipulative
Troubled/Tragic Soul
Aggressively Violent
Highly Confident, too confident.
Stubborn
Blunt, bitterly blunt
Distrusting of others (to an extent)
Soulless (at times)
There’s more to this character than on the surface, something unsettling and very tragic hence number two. Hailing from a broken past, caused by them or some outside source.
I need writing craft books to help me understand how to build a character like this. Yes, I would also need stories with main characters like this, whether male or female or whatever.
I just want to know which writing craft books can help with building characters and more properly.
Well, I never really bother with books on how to craft a persona because of how my mind is wired.
I approach characters as if their flaws are assets and their assets are flaws.
So someone who is controlling will at times seem endearingly protective. Someone who is soulless will at times be able to make the right decision while everyone else is up in their feels. So if I break down what these traits do, and especially take notes of how 3 different points lead to the same action, I’ve got a real concrete hold on how this character ticks.
And I do this mostly instinctively, so it’s not even something I regularly lay out.
But, for the sake of looking at all this:
name 3 actions good/neutral/bad, that could stem from every one of those things, and take note of how many of them are similar. Those things are the main bread-and-butter of your character, the things you cannot break from without violating the character’s makeup, and sometimes the thing they must struggle to overcome in their war with themselves. Anything that doesn’t repeatedly show up? That’s going to be the harder traits to show, and may not even need to be used at all, for a full, rich story.
So, I was wondering if I have done too much with the traits. After reading your comment, I do wonder if focusing on the three most important traits more than others, yet not forgetting that the other traits are crucial too?
I just wanted something for the later drafts, for when I do the zero draft, I am just going all over the place to get a feel for the novel’s first book.
For 1st draft, absolutely. Then you can check off what you did in your book, the whole way through, and measure that against where you want to be in edits. That list is really long for showing facets of a character.
Why does something tragic have to happen to him for him to be this way? Just curious to know. Not getting at you at all. Can you explain this point in more detail? I am actually kinda interested. Is the tragedy the main defining point of why is this way, or are there other things?
I don’t have much on this character yet. I was thinking in terms of people thinking he is a troubled and tragic soul, but his dark past was his own doing. They’ll learn that it’s a bit hard to pity him and yet it is.
No. His charisma and the way he manipulates is his defining point. The tragic past was his own doing (is the route I want to go). Why he is the reason for his tragic past? I don’t have any ideas for that.
Are you saying that having a tragic back story for why people are the way they are isn’t always a great thing?
Another thing is to give him a good loving home in a stable environment where he questions life and how boring his world is, leading him to become the person he is currently.
I understand that it his own doing and that will also add a dimension to it. And make him come across as more varied, but is that the only reason to pity him though? There has to be more than just “tragic soul/dark past”. Again, not saying these are your only reasons. I am definitely sure that there are more because you’re very creative.
I’m not getting at you at all or saying that completely, but I am really tired in general of people using “traumatic events” and “tragic backstories” to try and build character and get people to sympathize with characters in novels and television shows/movies. To be honest, it’s losing its effect on me.
I really like it when it has genuine intent, and is used sparingly. Now, I’m not saying that characters can’t have tragic events, or things happen to them. But it has to have a real, genuine impact and meaning past “sad/tragic backstory, this is why X is screwed up/they way they are”.
Yes, I love the concept of him questioning life and how boring his world is as a part of his character arc. I am sort of working on that too in a WIP myself. Things do happen to my character, not everything is peachy. That would be boring, but it’s a part of it.
I know you are thinking about things, and it’s your first draft but I hope I am giving you things to think about. It can be a bit difficult to build and nail a character at times and I understand the struggle. I hope my advice/general thoughts are okay. I hope I’m not coming across as rude, I don’t want to and I apologize if I am coming across as a bit “picky” or anything. I am trying to help.
Here’s a thought that I just pondered a few seconds ago.
This story is a novel series. The first book is to focus on the male MC, second book his wife, third book is son, while the fourth book is his daughter, yet the fifth book is a tying up everything in a way and revealing a bit more to the family. That was the thought in my mind.
The thing is that I wanted to do this from the perspective of each family member. The father (MC of book one) comes from an ordinary but loving family, and ended up building a “dynasty” for himself built on lies, deceit, bloodshed, and conning. Got his wife and two children to follow after, but do things in their own way.
That is the goal for the novel series.
Still pondering this.
That makes sense. Some characters can’t be redeemed and don’t want to be, just like people in the real world.
Yeah. I think about all the people who do horrible things because something so ridiculous that it makes you wonder just how entitled they are. Also makes me realize how people refuse to take mental health seriously, even if they don’t think it’s nothing to be serious about.
Don’t things like that happen in real life, everyday in fact? People who come from a home of love, support, and compassion in a stable environment can’t handle living like that and want something more, something better for themselves. Like something within them snapped, causing them to become a different person. Makes you wonder so much about people.
You’re fine. You just placed things in perspective for me. Thank you.
I usually use pre-made characters from real life, history or movies/tv. For instance, one of the characters in the book I’m working on is based on Lord Byron. Others are based on anime characters or people I know. I just give them a different name and appearance, no one’s the wiser. (>‿◠)
Have you tried giving your character a personality test? ¯\_(ﭢ)_/¯
I understand that it his own doing and that will also add a dimension to it. And make him come across as more varied, but is that the only reason to pity him though? There has to be more than just “tragic soul/dark past”. Again, not saying these are your only reasons. I am definitely sure that there are more because you’re very creative.
