Book Packaging & Creativity Workshops

compelling characters in books

Writers Need to be Readers

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Writers Need to be ReadersSometimes the “rules” of good writing are a mash-up of contradictions. Be original, but follow the rules of those who have come before you. Don’t plagiarize, but take lessons from classic story structures. To find the perfect balance, writers need to be readers.

I recently read a literary comparison between The Great Gatsby and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It implied that n its witty title it stated that Holly Golightly was a different version of Jay Gatsby. National Public Radio listed both of these novels in their “100 Best Characters in Fiction” list with Jay Gatsby hitting first place and Holly Golightly coming in at number 11.

Number 11 out of 100 is nothing to sneeze at considering that this article implied that Truman Capote, who wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s, must have followed my belief that writers need to be readers. Does that mean he plagiarized from F. Scott Fitzgerald? Not necessarily… Let’s take a closer look.

Here are the similarities between the two books: 

Physical character traits:

  • Characters who are attractive, charismatic and enigmatic.
  • Distinctive speech patterns. Jay uses phrases such as “old sport” while Holly calls everyone “darling.”

Their world:

  • Connections to organized crime.
  • Characters who love to host parties.
  • Parties that stop once the characters find romance.

Their journey:

  • Humble backgrounds.
  • Altered identities.
  • Living vicariously through more glamorous neighbors.
  • Driven by dreams.
  • Dreams ultimately lead to their death and exile.

Technical similarities:

  • First person narratives.
  • Beautiful imagery to describe the setting and supporting characters.
  • Visits to the main character by someone from their past.

Is this comparison meant to imply that Breakfast at Tiffany’s doesn’t deserve to be on the 100 Best List? Absolutely not. I love the book and could watch the movie on continual loop. What Truman Capote did with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story is to recreate and change it for his own purposes. They say there are only seven story plots. These are:

  • Overcoming the Monster
  • Rags to Riches
  • The Quest
  • Voyage and Return
  • Comedy
  • Tragedy
  • Rebirth

This means you have to take basic principles of good storytelling from previously told tales, but then, you put your own style to it, add your own unique details, envision how your character will be different. 

So keep writing your stories, but educate yourself by remembering that writers need to be readers, too.

Create Colorful Characters

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Create Colorful Characters

If a reader calls your book “formulaic,” it might mean that the plot isn’t compelling and you need to create colorful characters. If you’ve created a character “type” that we’ve seen too many times before, chances are the reviews won’t be stellar. Yet, we’re all exposed to the same stimuli; and therefore, it’s hard to think of new scenarios. One of the best ways to encourage your plot and your sales to soar is by ensuring that your characters are new and exciting. Learn how to create colorful characters.

Ask yourself ‘what if’ …

I like to ask myself “what if”… Let’s suppose my main character is a suburban mom. If you’re going the comedy route, you could ask, “What if she’s mistaken to be a pop singer/actress/porn star while on vacation? … And decides she likes it!” If it’s a suspense thriller you’re writing you could ask, “What if her husband embezzles a fortune, goes on the lam and she’s forced to protect the kids and herself from the thugs that come after them?”

Create colorful characters with a fatal flaw

Is there one particular thing that will just set off your character? For instance, maybe they’ve achieved a certain level of success in their lives. They have a good job, a beautiful family, but they can’t get over the fact that their neighbor seems to have it just a little bit better? How do they react when they see their neighbor driving a brand new car? Or, when that same person invites them over to celebrate their latest job promotion? If your character were to suddenly go off the handle and yet, we’ve gotten to know and like him prior, you’ve created a colorful character in the fact that we both sympathize with him and also see a train wreck about to occur.

Create colorful characters that are relatable

I love those mouth-dropping-open moments in films or television shows when you just can’t believe the character has reacted in a particular way. It’s like when Walter White from “Breaking Bad” killed off Jesse’s girlfriend without a second thought. How could he? He likes Jesse. In spite of what we, as the audience, think about his actions, we can relate. We understand his motivation. He hadn’t come this far to let someone get in his way.

Does your character act cringe-worthy?

Cringe-worthy moments make for are equally colorful characters. Those times when you cover your eyes and say, “Oh no, he’s not going to do that.” This is the fodder of date movies like “There’s Something About Mary” when she finds an “interesting” new hair gel.

You can create colorful characters when you know your character backwards and forwards. You know what they love or fear. You have a clear understanding of how they relate to other people and what impacts their life. Check out this related article, “13 Ways to Create Compelling Characters” for more ideas. Do you have a favorite character? Let me know what makes them compelling to you.