Why do we remember some characters long after we close a book, while we forget about others even before we get to the final page? It’s not only about what the characters do, but also about how their minds work. Your heroes might save kingdoms, but if they don’t have any psychological depth, they’re just plot devices. Readers need insight into the inner landscapes of characters to genuinely care about them.
Why Character Connection Matters
Characters are the heart of your story. You can create the most intricate plot, build exciting worlds, and orchestrate spectacular action sequences, but if your characters aren’t relatable, you’ll lose readers. Your audience will remain if they care deeply about the characters experiencing the events in the plot.
A well-crafted character becomes a mirror, reflecting parts of ourselves we recognize, admire, or want to understand better. They become the lens through which we process the story’s themes and conflicts.
Cultural Icons
Why do certain characters become cultural icons while others are almost instantly forgotten?
Harry Potter endures not because he’s the most powerful wizard, but because readers connect with his loneliness, his desire to belong, and his struggle with responsibility. He has become psychologically real to the reader.
Without compelling characters, even the most exciting plot becomes a series of empty events. Your story falls flat if the characters feel like cardboard cutouts rather than breathing, flawed people who are capable of love and growth.
Characters Sell Your Book
Today people have more entertainment options competing for their attention than ever before.
What will make them choose your book, and recommend it to others, is the emotional connection they make with your characters. This connection can even create loyal fans who will follow your work for years to come.
Write Real People
I’ll explore challenges when it comes to character creation, and how to overcome them. It’s a matter of knowing what works well, and what doesn’t.
As a new writer, I spent years creating inauthentic characters that felt flat and predictable.
Then I studied psychology and started applying those insights to my character development. I suddenly understood why some of my characters felt emotionally shallow and why some parts of my stories felt unconvincing.
I also realized that as a fantasy writer, depending on what I create, my characters could face unique psychological challenges. How would a telepathic species develop differently? What personality traits would emerge in a society where death is reversible? How does immortality change the way someone processes grief?
What You’ll Find Here
The aim is that the posts will give you practical information that you can use in your writing.
Think of your characters like icebergs. What readers see on the surface is just a small fraction of who they really are. The bulk of their personality lies beneath: their fears, past experiences, unconscious motivations, and psychological patterns.
Do this exercise with your own characters. List three surface behaviors your character displays regularly. Now, for each behavior, ask “What psychological need or wound might drive this?” A character who constantly jokes might be deflecting vulnerability. Someone who hoards resources might have deep-seated fears about security. A character who avoids leadership might struggle with imposter syndrome or fear of responsibility.
If you have questions or you experience challenges while completing the challenges, leave a comment. Your challenges can help shape future posts, as other writers likely face the same ones.
Let me know if you have ideas for topics, and please subscribe to stay updated. I’m going to look for guest posters soon, and I hope this is just the beginning of a rich exploration of characterization.
Together, we’ll create characters who live and breathe on the page.
About The Author
Erika Taylor
The War in The West Fantasy Series
Read my interview on Writerful books: https://writerfulbooks.com/erika-taylor-fantasy-author-ghostwriter/
Write Real People 
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