The 4 keys to creating powerful addictive characters that feel REAL! (+Character Study on Disney’s Rapunzel)
Writing | Character Creation Series | Character Study
Hello, my friend!
Today is a special day because today I am launching the first post in my character series! Yay! After I break down the 4 key steps to character creation, I will be doing a character study on Disney’s Rapunzel to show you exactly how this works!
I am a writer and I know that characters are the most important part of your book (besides the writing bit). Characters are how we connect to a book, a story, or a movie. CHARACTERS ARE HOW WE WRITERS MAKE OUR STORY MATTER NOT JUST TO US BUT TO OUR READERS. The characters are how readers are transported through books. Characters are how the reader feels and understands your book and world.
Quick story thought. There are typically two kinds of story: plot-driven vs character-driven. Let me tell you right now that the best stories are character-driven stories. Why? Because characters are how we connect to a story and characters are who the story is happening to. The story is happening because of the character and their decision and internal conflict.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about character! Specifically, how to create realistic gripping addictive characters you and your readers will LOVE!
I've broken this process down into 4 parts. The 4 keys to creating these incredible and real characters you will love and relate to!
Let’s begin with a question. HOW DO YOU CONNECT TO A CHARACTER?Answer: INTERNAL CONFLICT. This is the one thing all people have. It is how we can connect with each other. It is our wants, dreams, fears, clashing, with our beliefs and actions. Internal conflict is the major key.
But how do you create internal conflict? Here is how.
1. Misbelief
Misbelief is the thing your character believes about the world and themselves that is not true. It is a lie they believe in. Typically this will happen in your character's past (why backstory is so important).
Note: Your character’s misbelief is the theme (the message) of your story flipped upside down. The lie will be revealed in your story around the “aha” moment. For example, if your character’s misbelief is “I am not good enough” then the theme of your story will be “I am worthy. I am good enough.”
Ask yourself:
What does your character believe about themselves and the world that isn’t true?
What lies are they holding on to?
What is the thing they are meant to do? (Reverse that!)
2. Behavior
Behavior is what your character does that proves what they believe in (the misbelief). It is their actions. Actions are based on belief. Our (your character’s) actions will show and cement into us what we believe. It is the actions they do daily (even what they say to themselves) that show their belief.
Let’s take the above example from before. If your character believes they are not worthy then they will pull back. They will shy away from what they want and always feel like they are a failure. The thing is if they only change their mindset, they can do incredible things. But that will be what they find out later in your story.
Ask yourself:
What does your character do daily that proves their misbelief?
What they believe in they act on, so what are they acting upon?
How do your character’s actions prove what they believe (it’s their misbelief)?
3. Desire (the goal/dream)
Desire is the thing your character believes will make them happiest. It is their goal in life, the thing they want most. But because of the misbelief, they have been tainted and so has their desire. Their desire is based on their misbelief. It is a fear-based desire (but your character doesn’t realize it yet.)
Also, this is not the story for all characters but it is a really good realistic character to have a goal only to realize it isn’t actually what is right for them.
Continuing with the example, the character feeling unworthy can have a desire to be liked by everyone. A desire to be the thing they want to be and not themself.
Ask yourself:
What is your character’s goal?
What does your character think will make them happiest?
What do they want in life?
4. Fear
The final key to making a realistic character is fear. Sadly this is something all humans face, including myself. Recently I’ve been on a journey (and still am) of becoming fearless and letting go of fears hold on me. This is a real problem people face. One I know and understand first hand. Fear is human. Fear is something we all can relate to.
So how better to make a character realistic than to give them fear they have to (or fail to) overcome? Fear that is rooted in their disbelief and keeps them from their desire creates INTERNAL CONFLICT!
Ask yourself:
What is your character afraid of most? (Make it deep)
What is holding them back from their desire?
What is their ‘comfort zone’ that is really their fear holding them back (Ooo! That’s good!)?
What excuses in life are they making?
What is the opposite of their fear?
©Disney https://princess.disney.com/rapunzel?
Story Example: Disney’s Rapunzel
I love Rapunzel and I love Disney so, of course, I’m going to do a story study on them! This is going to be a quick internal conflict profile asking and answering all the questions I've discussed before so you can see it in action on a beloved character and story.
—Just remember that behavior, desire, and fear are all rooted in the misbelief of your character.
Misbelief
What does Rapunzel believe about herself and the world that isn’t true? Thanks to Mother Gothal, everything. Rapunzel has a misbelief about the world that it is a dark scary place with ruffians, thugs, and everything is evil and out to get her magic hair. Rapunzel also has a misbelief (lie) about herself being incapable and weak.
What lies is she holding on to? That she is weak and cannot do anything without someone protecting her (be it Mother Gothal or Flynn Rider).
What is the thing she is meant to do? (Reverse that!) SPOILER: Rapunzel was born to be a princess and later a queen. She is meant to be a leader and spread light in her kingdom. She can’t be a ruler, a leader if she is afraid of every little thing.
Behavior
What does your character do on a daily basis that proves their misbelief? Rapunzel stays in her tower for eighteen years. Though she dreams of leaving, she stays.
What they believe in they act on, so what are they acting upon? She is acting on the belief that her “Mother knows best” and that the world is “a dangerous place.”
How do your character’s actions prove what they believe (or their misbelief)? Rapunzel's actions show she is afraid to leave the comforts of her home without the protection of someone guiding her. It's why she asks her mother to go with her.
Desire
What is your character’s goal? Rapunzel wants nothing more than to go and see the floating lights.
What does your character think will make them happiest? Seeing the floating lights and understanding their importance to her. Find out why they call to her.
What do they want in life? To see the floating lights but then come home to her mother and stay in her mother’s good graces.
Fear
What is your character afraid of most? Rapunzel is afraid to disappoint her mother.
What is holding them back from their desire? Her mother is holding her back from seeing the floating lights. Her mother says it is too dangerous for her.
What is their ‘comfort zone’ that is really their fear holding them back (Ooo! That’s good!)? Staying in the tower surrounded by her paintings and three books.
What excuses in life are they making? Rapunzel was making the excuse she couldn’t leave on her own. (Then Flinn showed up and she had a way to have her desire).
What is the opposite of their fear? Being free and living outside the tower walls and the walls of fear that have been built around her. And realizing the world isn’t as scary as she first thought.
The End
This is it! These are the 4 steps to creating a messed up broken relatable… I mean a realistic gripping addictive incredible character you and your reader will love.
But seriously, people are broken and messed up and that's alright. We aren’t perfect and will never be perfect (I’m sorry perfectionists. It's just not possible. Which is crushing to my own perfectionist heart). The great thing to know is that we aren’t perfect but we don’t have to stay that way.
Wait a minute! Hold up! Didn’t I just say you can’t be perfect?
Uh…ya! What I mean is that we by human standards can never be perfect. But we can learn and we can grow and become better (character development & maturity). The only way we can truly become better and grow in perfection is through Jesus. Through Jesus, we are saved and can become like him, a light in a dark world, a perfect creation in his eyes. We still aren’t perfect, but he is and he will help teach you how to become more like him. It's why Christians are called Christians. It means little Christ, Christ’s people. That is who I am and who I am becoming every day. Yes, it is a long road but with HIM all things are possible.
So have hope. Just like a character who starts off kinda messed up, you too can grow and learn and become who you were truly meant to be. After all, Jesus is the author of your life (a latter topic I will be posting about).
Now as a writer, you know how to create incredible delicious internal conflict!
Yes I am obsessed with Tangled GIFs!
Question Time
I hope you like this first post in the Creating Characters Series!
I want to hear from you! Comment below and tell me what you thought of this method of creating characters? Did you like the character study on Rapunzel? In the future would you like me to do more character and story studies? Who is one of YOUR favorite characters? I would love to chat!
Tune in NEXT WEEK for the next addition to the Creating Characters Series where we will be diving into the topic of BACKSTORY! Seriously, backstory is like my favorite thing!
Happy Creating,
Moriyah 💛
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