10 Easy Steps to Making Your Own Character

Brainstorm with ideas from our Character Backstory generator

Co-authored by Lucy V. Hay and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: June 20, 2025 Approved

Creating original characters for a book, a screenplay, or another work of fiction is challenging, even if you're experienced! Whether you're a beginner new to character creation or a veteran storyteller stuck in a rut, we're here to help you get on your feet. Come along with us to learn how to create a character from scratch, with advice from professional writers and editors. Plus, discover fresh ideas and get your creative juices flowing with our Character Backstory Generator !

How to Create Your Own Character

Choose an archetype for your character, like Hero or Villain.
Introduce traits and characteristics to make them more unique.
Define the purpose or goal that drives them.
Create obstacles to their goal to give them conflict.
Define their fears, weaknesses, and biggest secrets.
Bring them to life with quirks and habits.
People-watch to describe real-life mannerisms & features.

1

Choose a character archetype like Hero or Villain.

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Most characters fall into patterns of behavior called archetypes. For example, the Villain is the archetypical character in a story who antagonizes (makes life difficult for) the protagonist. The protagonist is the main character in a story and usually falls into their own archetype, like the moral Hero who tries to save everyone around them. The archetype is your character's baseline. After you choose one, you can define and round out your character into someone more dynamic and individual than a mere "pattern." This process is much like how a sculptor removes excess marble to reveal the statue buried within it. ^{[1]
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- In addition to a Hero and a Villain , you might also need:
  - Anti-heroes like Preacher in Pale Rider
  - Sympathetic "villains" such as Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men
  - Wild cards like Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean
  - A femme fatale (an irresistible woman who leads her man into greatness, difficulty, danger, or disaster) like Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
  - Traitors like Iago in Othello or Petyr Baelish in Game of Thrones
  - Tricksters like Gollum/Smeagol in Lord of the Rings
  - Sidekicks like Batman's Robin or Sherlock Holmes's Dr. Watson
- Each of the above example characters began as an archetype and became more unique and complex as their story progressed.

2

Introduce unique traits and characteristics.

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Give your character personality to make them less one-dimensional. For example, you may want your Sidekick to be grouchy yet endearing like Gimli in Lord of the Rings , or timid yet loyal like the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz . Next, remove archetypal elements you don't like. For example, you may not want your Hero to be brave and bold, but rather quiet and mild-mannered. As you flesh out these additional characteristics, you'll start to reveal more of the sculpture in the marble. ^{[2]
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- Determine whether the character is male, female, or otherwise. This will inform the character's general point of view, suggest traits depending on archetype, and may even become a point of conflict for your character as they interact with their society. For example, an arrogant male is perceived differently from an arrogant female. (Both of which further define your character!)
- Age is also an important factor. Older is generally seen as wiser, but it comes into play in other ways, as well. A young villain is generally portrayed and seen as a bad seed or simply insane. An old villain, on the other hand, might have been twisted into being evil by life's circumstances, giving him a lot more depth.
EXPERT TIP

Lucy V. Hay
Professional Writer
Lucy V. Hay is a Professional Writer based in London, England. With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucy is an author, script editor, and award-winning blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers, and Bang2Write has appeared in the Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life and is a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK. She received a B.A. in Scriptwriting for Film & Television from Bournemouth University.

Lucy V. Hay
Professional Writer

Think of characters who don't fit stereotypes to make them more interesting. If you've ever watched Brooklyn 99 , Captain Holt is a black man who's gay, but his character is basically the opposite of every black or gay stereotype. He's very compelling—he's funny, dry, and pedantic, and he has his own hang-ups. A lot of people watch that show just because they like him so much

3

Create their backstory.

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Decide where they come from, who their family is, and what their past is like. Did they grow up in a loving home or by themselves in a post-apocalyptic hellscape? Are they completely alone in the world, or do they have friends and family to support them? Do they have a lover, or have they had any in the past? You don't always need to share every last detail of their background in the story. But it's helpful to know them in case you want to drop hints about deeds they've accomplished, mistakes they've made, or skills they've learned that impact who they are now.
- In the hit Netflix streaming series Stranger Things , we begin the series not knowing much about Sheriff Hopper. Eventually, though, we learn the basic facts that he used to have a wife and a child, but his child died of cancer and his wife eventually left him. This explains why he drinks excessively, but it also informs his decision to help (and eventually adopt) Eleven and start a new family.

4

Explore their occupation and daily life.

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Find your character's current place and perspective in their world. Decide what they do for a living. How do they get food? Do they have a job, do they steal their livelihood, or does someone else meet their needs for them? Then decide what they do outside of work: their hobbies, interests, and passions. This is important information to know because it will help you find the catalyst that breaks them out of their daily routine and sets them off on their adventure. Plus, you can pick the skills they possess (or lack) which will help (or hinder) their growth throughout the story.
- In The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Gandalf the wizard selects Bilbo Baggins to join a company of dwarves on their quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon who stole it. Bilbo is a moderately wealthy hobbit with no occupation and who has never faced any real dangers. His role in the company is that of a burglar, but he has absolutely no experience sneaking around or stealing. This means that the first time he tries to burgle someone, he and the dwarves and caught and almost eaten by cave trolls.
- However, because he's a hobbit, and because he's not physically strong or impressive, Bilbo is forced to rely mostly on his wits to get him out of scrapes. He hones this skill throughout the book, so that by the end, he's basically leading the company at times.
- Billbo's transformation wouldn't be nearly as impactful if we didn't know where he started: as a humble hobbit living in an idyllic, English-inspired countryside with his books, his armchair, and his larder full of food to keep him content.

5

Determine the purpose or goal that drives them.

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Your character needs a reason to exist. Professional writer Grant Faulkner, MA, thinks that "the most important thing about a character… is… what [drives] that character, what motivates [them]," and what's preventing them from achieving their goal. This step transforms your character from "just a compilation of character descriptions or physical descriptions" into "a soul moving through the world." It gives them life and a reason to exist in your story, and it also informs all their future choices.
- In a horror story, for example, the protagonist may want to survive at all costs, like Ripley in Alien .
- In a romance, the villain may try to stop the heroes from finding "true love," like Prince Humperdinck attempted to do to Wesley and Buttercup in The Princess Bride .

6

Create obstacles to their goal to give them conflict.

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To grow, your character needs to be uncomfortable. According to Faulkner, the plot of a story is "all about [the] obstacles in front of what the character wants." That's more important to the character's depth and development, he says, than "character description [and] character background." How your characters deal with the inevitable obstacles that stand between them and their aims will most clearly define them. Their choices will shape them and the characters (and sometimes the world) around them.
- In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , Luke Skywalker's dream is to become a Jedi. But he keeps encountering obstacles along his journey. His greatest obstacle is the fact that his father is ( spoiler alert! ) Darth Vader, his sworn enemy, and one of the most evil men in the galaxy.
- To complete his Jedi training in the next movie, Luke must choose how to overcome this obstacle. His decision to show his father compassion and not kill him defines him as a true hero.

7

Define their flaws, fears, and biggest secrets.

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Another obstacle that helps characters grow in new ways is their inner demons. Characters that feel the most real always have a flaw, fear, or secret that makes them vulnerable and hinders their goal. They might overcome this hangup, or they might not—it's up to you. Either way, it will push them to make more interesting decisions, which will, in turn, make them more fascinating to read or watch. ^{[3]
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- In the Disney film The Princess Diaries (based on the book series by Meg Cabot), an American teenager named Mia Thermopolis discovers that she's the princess of a European country. As she struggles to keep this fact a secret from her friends, she realizes that she could use this position to have a real, positive impact on the world, but she's held back for most of the film by her crippling fear of public speaking.
- This fear prompts Mia to almost run away to Colorado. But at the last minute (when the tension of the movie is at its peak!), she changes her mind and decides to embrace her royal identity.

8

Bring your character to life with quirks and habits.

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Your character's habits speak volumes about their personality. Ensuring your character has a unique set of habits or quirks makes them come alive and hints at their true personality or nature. ^{[4]
X
Research source} For example, biting fingernails is a habit that many people fall into when they're nervous or anxious. Obsessive hair-combing can indicate the character's vanity or insecurity. An addiction can hint at the character's traumatic past or their need to evade responsibility.
- Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective character created by mystery writer Agatha Christie, insists on everything—from his mustache to his vanity cabinet—being perfectly neat and organized. This fastidiousness isn't just for humor, though. It's also to demonstrate how his brilliant mind solves crime: with order and method.

9

People-watch to understand real-life mannerisms & features.

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Characters feel more real when they mimic real people. Author and developmental editor Lydia Stevens recommends people-watching to learn how to describe authentic human mannerisms, expressions, and facial features for your character. Taking note of how people act, talk, and appear in real life is important, she says, "because those little elements make for great character descriptions." To people watch without looking creepy, go to a public place like a park or a cafe and observe the human beings around you. If that makes you feel too uncomfortable, Stevens suggests watching the news on TV instead.
- Note physical features: the shapes of noses, jaws, and ears, how a person's clothes fit, and how they carry themselves.

10

Decide how you want your character to look.

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Your character's appearance can literally affect the plot. Appearance is extremely important to the way your audience perceives your character. It also influences the way other characters in their world see them. For example, a princess with an hourglass figure, long eyelashes, and pouty lips might get more suitors competing for her hand than a girl who doesn't fit those restrictive beauty conventions. In most cases, you don't need to know every detail of every feature. But knowing the color of their hair, eyes, and skin, their overall build (i.e., slim, muscled, plump, gaunt), and what kind of clothes they wear will help you develop their relationship with their world.
- In Wicked Part 1 (2024), the protagonist, Elphaba, is treated with prejudice and shunned by almost every other character because her skin is green. Her appearance is an integral part of her story. Without it, many of the events in the story probably wouldn't have taken place.
- If you see a person in real life and like the way they look, describe your character's looks in the same way.

11

Develop secondary characters to support your character.

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Characters are influenced by the people around them. Every character, whether they're the protagonist or the antagonist or filling a supporting role, needs other characters to react to. In many cases, it's these secondary characters who push the main character to make decisions and progress the plot. A supporting cast also reveals more about your character's personality, motivations, weaknesses, and other important characteristics. ^{[5]
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- In the classic novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, the Hummels are a family of minor characters who have very few lines and are mostly only mentioned. Yet they have a powerful impact on the 4 sisters and main characters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March.
- In the first chapter, readers learn how good-hearted and selfless the sisters are when they give their Christmas breakfast to the poor, destitute Hummel family.
- Many chapters later, Beth comes down with a deadly case of scarlet fever when she visits the Hummels while they're sick. She eventually recovers, but the illness changes the trajectory of her story and sets up her eventual tragic death.

12

Role-play as your character when you get stuck on details.

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Put yourself in your character's shoes to get to know them. Make a list of all the things you want to know about them, like what their talents are or how they feel about other characters in their world. Next, ask yourself (or rather, your character) whatever you want and write or record the answers that come into your head. This exercise will help you uncover things you didn't know about your character and develop their personality.
- Sometimes we create characters best using our own ideals, character, flaws, or strengths, and those of our real-life family members, friends, and foes.
Judy Blume, Writer

Invest in your characters so your audience will too. "The best books come from someplace deep inside. Become emotionally involved. If you don't care about your characters, your readers won't either."

13

Imagine them as a non-human character.

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Your character doesn't have to be human or resemble a human being. Animals, objects, and even forces of nature can be just as relatable and interesting characters. The key, says professional writer Lucy V. Hay, is to give them a "sense of truth and authenticity." For example, if you create a cat character, they should have "very particular attributes that make them cat-like," like aloofness and independence.
- In Lord of the Rings , author J.R.R. Tolkien describes the mountain Caradhras more as a villain than as a geographic feature. Caradhras creates storms to prevent the Fellowship from passing over his slopes and continuing on their journey.
- In Ernest Hemingway's novella The Old Man and the Sea , one of the main characters is a marlin.

14

Character Backstory Generator

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Create an amazing backstory for your fictional character
Every great character has a story. Whether you're writing a novel, playing D&D, or simply daydreaming about another world, a compelling backstory can bring any character to life. But crafting one from scratch? That’s the tricky part.
That’s where this generator comes in. Answer a few fun questions below and we’ll build a unique backstory that’ll be perfect for your next creative project.
- What is your character's name?
  
  What kind of world does your character live in?
  
  What role or archetype fits them best?
  
  What’s their biggest strength?
  
  What’s their greatest flaw?
  
  What motivates them most right now?
  
  See ad to
  
  Response failed. Please try again.
  
  Retry
  
  Try the full generator here .

Community Q&A

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Question

Should I introduce my character's love interest sooner or later on?

Community Answer

I would recommend introducing the character slowly. Don't just drop them into the story in the middle, but don't focus on them too heavily in the beginning either. Let them slowly integrate into more central aspects of the story.

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I can't draw. How can I design a character without drawing a reference sketch?

Community Answer

You don't have to draw it. Write down what he/she looks like, and have a friend draw the character.

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I built my character for a long time, but a year later I searched his name and found that it's been used. Am I still allowed to use that name or will it be copyrighted?

Bawana 451

Community Answer

If the name is used by a company, then chances are it will be copyrighted. But if you randomly find a DeviantArt user with a character with the same name, then it should be okay to use the name.

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Tips

Consider drawing your character after you've invented them. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Look into a character's motivations, rather than what people see. A shy person, for example, may be afraid that if they speak up, they’ll humiliate themselves. Instead of focusing on the way the character speaks quietly, focus on their thoughts and fears. Understanding the root cause of their actions helps you create characters who are more complex, interesting, and realistic!
You can always draw inspiration from the people around you. If you admire your friend or a family member, for example, incorporate their best (or worst) traits into your character.

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Warnings

Be wary of writing real people into your story or using identifying details. You can still take inspiration from people you know or have heard of, just don't use their real name or describe them too accurately. This can get you into legal trouble!

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10 Easy Steps to Making Your Own Character

How to Create Your Own Character

Steps

Choose a character archetype like Hero or Villain.

Introduce unique traits and characteristics.

Create their backstory.

Explore their occupation and daily life.

Determine the purpose or goal that drives them.

Create obstacles to their goal to give them conflict.

Define their flaws, fears, and biggest secrets.

Bring your character to life with quirks and habits.

People-watch to understand real-life mannerisms & features.

Decide how you want your character to look.

Develop secondary characters to support your character.

Role-play as your character when you get stuck on details.

Imagine them as a non-human character.

Character Backstory Generator

Community Q&A

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

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References

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