Creating Characters Your Readers Will Never Forget

Forget Me Not

Why do some literary characters jump off the page, lingering in our hearts and minds, while others are completely forgettable?

In the legendary and magical worlds of fantasy and romantasy, where epic quests are afoot, kingdoms rise and fall, and extraordinary battles are fought, it’s often the characters—not just the exciting plot—that endure in our hearts and minds long after we turn the last page. Some characters are legendary, resonating on a deep and emotional level with readers, while others are completely forgettable, fading into literary oblivion.

So, what sets these characters apart?

Great question, dear reader! This post will explore the alchemy of crafting characters your readers will never forget—so pick up your enchanted pen or settle onto your spellbound keyboard and take note of the elements of an unforgettable fantasy character!

Legendary vs. Forgetful

The characters who stay with us after turning the last page are made of magic—they possess a spellbinding blend of unique traits, moral dilemmas, and emotional depth that makes them stand out.

Take Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses and Aelin from Throne of Glass, or Harry Potter and Snape from…well…Harry Potter, for instance. The extraordinary circumstances, struggles, and triumphs (or losses) of these characters feel deeply personal and complex, uplifting them to “Legendary” status.

In contrast, forgettable characters fall flat. They lack the complexity and intricacy that propel certain characters to the (figurative) Literary Hall of Fame.

The key lies in crafting characters with depth! It’s not only positive traits like integrity and resilience, but also a character’s personality, motivation, flaws, morality, and so much more that make them feel real, even in a fantasy setting.

“What’s the magic potion?” you ask. Well, it’s a unique blend of things, all of which make your character feel authentic.

Complexity

Real people are nuanced and complex, so characters should be too!

Don’t just focus on the good or the bad. A character with depth and authenticity should have a mix of both positive and negative qualities, making them relatable and genuine.

Fantasy twist: Consider tying their complexity to mythology, culture, or prophecy.

• Are they secretly the last of their kind?
• Were they raised in a culture at odds with their nature?
• Do they struggle carrying a dangerous legacy or cursed bloodline?

Motivation

All legendary characters have strong motivations!

A complex, memorable character has strong inner desires, goals, and motivations that drive their actions and decisions.

Without strong motivation, readers won’t care about what happens to your character, and will ultimately forget about them.

We don’t want that to happen, which is why we focus on your character’s “why” when crafting them!

Fantasy twist: Consider reflecting their desires with the stakes of the world.

• Do they want to prove themselves worthy of a magical gift they didn’t ask for?
• Are they trying to break free from a magical bond, throne, curse, or blood oath?
• Are they motivated by something like the collapse of kingdoms or war between realms?

Personality

Personality is a big one!

A character’s personality is more than “just a list of traits”—their little quirks and mannerisms that make them unique.

It’s the complex and interconnected characteristics that determine how they think, understand, and act within the world around them.

So, how will you craft your character’s unique personality to help them stand out?

Fantasy twist: Consider letting magic and/or worldbuilding influence their personality.

• How do they react to magic—with awe, skepticism, or hatred?
• How does living in their world shape their social behaviors?

Emotional Depth

Memorable characters are three-dimensional and refuse to fall flat!

Let your characters feel a wide range of emotions. This allows your readers to connect with them on a deep and personal level!

Fantasy twist: Consider using fantasy trauma and/or immortality to explore the depths of their emotions.

• How do centuries of life affect their ability to connect?
• Are they emotionally guarded because they once loved a mortal who died?
• Do they grieve the destruction of their homeland, people, or ancient gods?

Flaws

Whatever you do, you cannot forget to give your character flaws!

No one—and I mean no one—is perfect, not even your all-time favorite character.

A complex, intricate, emotionally resonant character will be chock-full of flaws, just like you and me.

Don’t be afraid to write an imperfect character—they’re usually the ones who resonate most!

Fantasy twist: Consider having their flaws reflect power, magic, or duty.

• Are they too arrogant with magic?
• Are they bound by honor even when it’s self-destructive?
• Hungry for forbidden knowledge or magical power?

Evolution & Growth

Above all, legendary characters never remain static. They are constantly growing and evolving!

At its core, a story is a journey—your character’s journey, or Character Arc. It’s how they grow and change, the adversity and obstacles they face, their challenges, triumphs, and downfalls.

Epic characters don’t stand still.

So, how will your character transform throughout the story?

Fantasy twist: Consider tying their growth to magical thresholds.

• Do they accept their role as a chosen one or reject it entirely?
• Will unlocking new magic require emotional healing or sacrifice?
• Does their personal evolution parallel a prophecy or world-shattering event?

Now What?

At this point, you might be saying, “That’s great, Ally, but now what?”

While these qualities are what set a character apart, we have to dive a little bit deeper to get to the heart of your character.

We need to figure out what drives them, what fears and misbeliefs they hold, and what they want more than anything in the world.

Now, this blog post obviously isn’t a master’s thesis on character development.

So, let’s think of it as Character Creation 101—a basic guide to creating an awesome fictional character.

And let’s start with just that … the basics.

Start with the Basics

What do you need to know about your character?

• Who is the protagonist, and what is their main goal?
• What are your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations?
• What are their fears and misbeliefs about the world or themself?
• What internal and external conflicts will your characters face?
• How do your characters change or grow by the end of the story?
• What happened in this character’s past that formed their fears and misbeliefs about their world or themself?
• How do they respond to emotional pain?
• What do they value most in their life?
• How is your character dissatisfied with their life?
• What do they believe will bring them true happiness?
• What actionable steps could they take to turn their dreams into reality?
• What fears are holding them back from getting what they want?
• What are some points of conflict between your character and the relationships they hold?
• How will their relationships with others change over the course of the story?

Fantasy Basics

• What bloodline do they come from?
• Is there magic in their ancestry—gods, witches, faeries, dragons, etc.?
  • How does that shape expectations or fears?
• What does their magic represent emotionally or psychologically?
  • Does fire = rage or trauma?
  • Does telepathy = fear of intimacy?
  • Can they control it, or does it control them?
• Are they tied to a prophecy?
  • Are they fighting it or fulfilling it?
• Do they believe in fate or try to carve their own path?
• Do they straddle two worlds?
  • e.g., human + fae
• Are they an outsider within their own society?
• How does their identity challenge the norms of the world?
• How does the world limit or elevate their choices?
  • Are there rules, laws, or magical hierarchies that influence their arc?
  • What political or spiritual systems do they challenge or protect?
• What do they know or hide that could reshape the world?

✨ Want to keep this guide handy while you’re crafting your epic characters? Grab it here for FREE! BONUS ALERT: It comes with a super detailed (and magical) character profile sheet! ✨

Check Out These AMAZING Craft Books on Creating Unforgettable Characters:

• Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland
• The Secrets to Creating Character Arcs by John S. Warner
• The Art of Character by David Corbett
• The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
• GMC: Goals, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon

Final Thoughts

Legendary characters require a delicate balance of depth, evolution, and emotional resonance. They stand out because they feel real—just as real as you or me. They’re flawed yet extraordinary, driven yet vulnerable, and stay with us long after we turn the last page!

Whether you’re writing an epic high fantasy or an intimate romantasy, keep in mind that the characters are the heart and soul of the story. Treat them well, explore their depths, and let them shine!

And remember, this post is by no means an exhaustive list when it comes to character creation. So, while I hope it gives you a good starting point, I encourage you to dig a little deeper when crafting your next fantasy character!

✨ Looking for more resources to help you write the next great fantasy novel? Check out The Library, where you’ll find the most comprehensive and thoughtfully curated collection of resources for writers, editors, and creative entrepreneurs. From writing workbooks to editing guides and business templates to web design magic, each resource is designed to simplify the process, spark your imagination, and help you confidently bring your vision to life! Ready to make some magic? ✨

✨ And don’t forget to check out Ally’s epic scores. playlist on Spotify and the Ladner Editorial Pinterest page for more fantasy inspo! ✨

✨ Need an editor? Check out Ally’s book editing services! ✨