My characters - balanced? - Writers Forum

Rhea · 12-02-2005, 04:27 AM

What do you think of these three characters? I know a lot of work still needs to be done, as their personalities are a bit empty, but I'm thinking I'll add more as I write. So, do you think that they're ok, balanced characters? Not too perfect or anything? Suggestions on improvements or traits I can give (flaws, because I'm pretty sure I don't have enough to make them real and believable enough)?

These are my three main characters for an original story I'm writing (fantasy):

Davian (my main character)
- a bit on the quiet side. He's not exactly loud, but he's not too quiet either
- naughty/mischievous, got into trouble a lot when he was younger, along with his best friend
- loyal
- patient, good listener
- curious, natural curiosity also gets him into trouble quite a few times
- stubborn, doesn't easily change his mind about something
- quick learner, observant
- obsessed with an 'evil forest' that lies near his town - wants to go inside and see what it's hiding, as he believes it's hiding something
- animal lover, good with animals

Arturo Bearn (Davian's best friend)
- very like his father - inherited his big, booming laugh
- strong
- loyal
- is like a rock, simbol of stability in my story (sth like that, you get my drift)
- trustworthy, can be relied upon in any situation
- loud
- very naughty and playful, gets into trouble a lot
- superstitious/believes in all the old stories and myths
- most likely to see all the dangers, etc. of why they shouldn't do something, and try to persuade them to back out of it

Majora Hamick (Davian's love interest later on in the story)
- can be tomboyish at times (likes to climb trees) but has a feminine side, too
- good cook
- protective older sister
- can be stubborn
- hot-headed, doesn't think things through
- quick, fast learner
- physically fit, agile
- loud

Kimahri · 12-02-2005, 12:40 PM

If you are just beginning to write you story and haven't gotten very far into it yet then I think the characters are fine for now. As you write they will develope and become more "real." One thing that makes us change and grow are trials and tribulations. As we fail and make mistakes we learn. As long as your characters do this I think they develope right before your eyes as you lead them through their journey. Also, I think it is never your goal to develope a character into a perfect character. Make sure your character's never fully lose their minor flaws. If they act before thinking or speak without thinking, make sure they never fully grow out of that. Think about your own life and your own flaws or someone you know very well and their flaws. Have you or they always had these flaws? Sure over time you are less likely to make the same mistakes but many times these flaws shape us into who we are. When creating someone in your mind and guiding their every movement and thoughts in your story, you have to remember that you want the reader to feel like they are getting to know this character and over the course of reading about them the reader must see them as "real". So first you have to believe they are "real," if you want the reader to. That was my rant of the day I guess but I hope that helps in some way.

kimahri

Rhea · 12-07-2005, 04:44 AM

Alright, thanks! Someone told me that the traits of stubbornness and being a good listener (in the character of Davian) are contradicting. Also, that someone who is naughty and playful is not someone whom you can rely upon and trust. What do you think?

Kimahri · 12-07-2005, 03:43 PM

I agree that those are contradicting traits. What you could do though is have your characters grow and develope into being a good listener and into someone who begins to become more reliable over different experiences that they might go through. I think that as you write you will begin to know your characters better. You will see that that decision doesn't make sense and that choice contradicts what just happened.

kimahri