Creating Characters You’d Like to Be

If the reader doesn't care about the characters, doesn't have a hollow spot in the pit of her stomach when things look bleak, doesn't feel a thrill as they tumble into love, the book will fall flat.
— Julia Quinn

Today’s heroine is smart, capable and "feisty." More and more, she reflects the hopes and dreams of a diverse, sophisticated readership.

We'll discuss writing the stories we want to read in a bit, but for now, let’s discuss how to develop those sizzling characters. As a storyteller you must put yourself and your audience in your characters’ shoes: flesh out their physical characteristics, personality traits and backstory, or history. We've included a character brainstorm template in this section of the tutorial, to help you do that.

Backstory is especially important as it provides context: it helps establish characters' motivations and influences the way they approach conflicts within the story. Julia Quinn, who thinks deeply about her characters' backstories before beginning a novel, says this:

I have adopted this [backstory] in my prewriting. I’ll spend several pages talking about who these people are…because we are all shaped by our experiences. Does this person have brothers and sisters? Are they the oldest? Are they in the middle? Many of [these details] never show up in the book. But it means that somehow, in some amorphous, creative way, I know the character better. And I think that comes through.

While fleshing out the characters’ physical characteristics, personality traits and backstory is requisite for any good story, I’ll let you in on a secret: writing romance characters is also a kick! Why? Because you have license to create characters that you’d like to be, and that you’d like to fall in love with. What a great opportunity to explore your ideal self and relationship, without the fear of rejection. And oh, the possibilities!

Even in escapist sub-genres, such as fantasy and paranormal romance, the power dynamic between the sexes is more balanced and satisfying than ever before, with nuanced, independent heroines and refreshingly mature (or redeemable) men.

Regarding male leads, it's pretty much a given that the "hero" in romance is physically attractive. He may not be traditionally so, but you can count on him being relatively fit (no beer belly) and pulled together (shoes and shirt required).

Quinn has some thoughts about what attracts heroines:

A guy simply cannot be sexy if he doesn't respect women. If you want to be a hero in one of my books, you have to believe in the heroine and respect and cherish her strengths and abilities. It doesn't mean he can't get all protective and macho from time to time—I mean, who doesn't love that? But ultimately, he's got to think she's the bomb.

Cue the boom!

Having said that, your characters shouldn’t be picture-perfect, either. New York editor Marla Daniels adds this:

While it is fiction, the couples and your characters still need to be relatable. Sure, they can have sculpted bodies and perfect meet-cutes, but some of the baggage they bring to the relationship needs to be something your readers can identify with. Think an overbearing, meddling mother, trust issues from a past relationship, monetary issues, stuck in a job they hate, etc.

The point is, if your heroine and hero come to the story airbrushed to perfection, they will have little to no internal conflict to resolve. Each has a character arc that must evolve over the course of the story. Furthermore, their personal growth should not develop in tandem.

So, get to know your heroine and hero. Intimately. What do they want? Why? What holds them back? How? It might be that your heroine harbors a general mistrust of men or a fear of commitment. Maybe she's a workaholic or has low self-esteem. How might you show these? Then there are the hero's issues. They might be similar but manifest differently.

The ways in which the heroine and hero’s goals and motivations spark conflict, then resolve it as they evolve, creates the combustible chemistry between them.

For more great specifics on creating your characters, click on our Romance Toolkit, which includes a nifty handout and video. Click here: Romance Toolkit