A Writing Tip by Jess Silfa
CREATING READER INVESTMENT IN YOUR CHARACTERS
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
As I write (or rewrite) a piece of fiction, I ask myself a few questions: Why does the story start when it does? What does my chosen point of view add or subtract from the piece? What is the problem, and how is it a symptom of the deeper conflict? I’ve recently started asking myself: What will readers want for my characters? What will they fear for them?
When it comes to crafting a character, the heart of their journey lies in the emotional investment of the reader. A character should transcend being a mere plot device; they should be someone the reader cheers for, frets over, and ultimately cares deeply about. Readers should yearn for something for the character—be it conquering a mythical dragon, finding true love, or battling their inner demons. This yearning fosters a connection and stokes the reader’s curiosity, drawing them further into the character’s world and amplifying the impact of their triumphs.
Equally significant is the reader’s capacity to fear or worry about something for the character. This could be a looming danger, a character flaw that might lead to their downfall, or the uncertainty of their future. It could be something fantastical—like the dragons I mentioned—or something as human as heartbreak. This fear or worry not only injects suspense and complexity into the narrative, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, but also sustains their interest in the character’s journey. We often find ourselves in these struggles; sometimes, they’re more relatable than success.
When these two elements are skillfully woven together, the character becomes fully realized, multidimensional, and utterly compelling. The reader becomes emotionally invested, experiencing the character’s triumphs and setbacks as if they were their own. In essence, writing a character is about evoking empathy and engagement. By making the reader have hopes and fear for a character, the writer brings them off the page and into real life. Those are the characters that stay with us long after we finish reading.
Jess Silfa is an Afro-Latine writer from the South Bronx. They graduated with an MFA from Vanderbilt University and are currently an Albert C. Yates Fellow in the Ph.D. program at the University of Cincinnati. Jess is President of the Disabled and D/deaf Writers Caucus and has been published or has work forthcoming in ANMLY, beestung, Transition Magazine, and others.
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