There are nine character types: confidante, dynamic, flat, foil, round, static, stock, antagonist, and protagonist.

These nine types of characters create the stories we all know and love today whether they be from young adult fiction all the way to horror or psychological thrillers. For today's chapter, I am going to be breaking down the nine basic types of characters by giving their basic definition and an example of each one, giving you advice on how to make a compelling character, and even giving y'all a chart that you could use when you're planning out your future characters.

Let's start with just the simple definitions of each character type;

Confidante- a confidante is someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the MC's personality, thoughts, intentions, but this does not have to be a person. It could be an object or even a place. A good example of this could be that your MC has an heirloom passed down to the MC. This heirloom could show the MC's thoughts because it would be held close to them for obvious reasons, perhaps it could show the intention of MC wanting to find their family if they had somehow gotten separated after an unseen event in the story. The object could hold memories MC has of their past that reveals certain character traits of them to the audience.

Dynamic- A dynamic character is someone who changes during the course of the story or novel. The change in outlook or character is permanent and a dynamic character can most often time be referred to as a developing character. Your dynamic character is usually the main character in the story since the main character SHOULD always go through some sort of development. Say, for an example, your MC starts out in the story as someone who is living a life free of conflict and that's exactly how they like it; no problems, no stress. However, certain things will happen to the MC that ultimately reshapes their character to be someone who can and will strike first when the time calls for it and isn't afraid to let themselves be put in the way of danger as long as it means helping others.

Flat- A flat character only reveals a single, maybe two or three, basic personality traits in the course of the story and doesn't go through any sort of character development. An amazing example of a flat character is the internet's punching bag, AKA Mary Sue. Mary Sues only show two or three personality traits and don't change or learn anything along the course of the story and will always be perfect so there is no room for improvement (that was ironic).

Foil- A foil character is a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast. A classic example of foil characters would absolutely have to be the ugly stepsisters of Cinderella. Her stepsisters bring out the beauty in Cinderella with their ugliness both physical and personality and make Cinderella seem like the perfect girl aside from her home life obviously.

Round- These are well-developed characters who demonstrate varied and sometimes contradictory traits (usually called dynamic characters because they change during the plot of a story/novel). This is usually your ideal type of MC and in most well-written stories (use Stephen King's books as examples). They can show contradictory personality traits such as selfishness and whatnot.

Static- This particular character remains primarily the same sort of like the flat character since events do not change their outlook, personality, motivation, habits, etc. A Mary Sue is another example for this.

Stock- A stock character is the embodiment of every cliche ever. I mean, literally. It is a special kind of flat character usually forced into stereotypes sort of like the good girl bad boy cliche where the girl is weak and helpless while the boy is the manly figure that protects her and is not at all accurate. Examples of this are the geeky kids who wear suspenders and always keep a pen on them, the mean blonde haired blue eyed girl who only wears Gucci and makes it her purpose to make others feel like crap.

Antagonist- basically the villain of a story, they antagonize other characters. Take President Snow from The Hunger Games as an example.

Protagonist- Usually the MC and is always the good guy. Take every main character ever as an example, to be honest.

Now that I am done defining each character type I am going to try to teach y'all how to make a compelling character. When you're making your character you should always aim for either the round or the dynamic character because your character development is truly the selling point of your story along with its plot of course. You do not want to make your character perfect, perfect characters are the most boring characters and so are overly flawed characters. Who wants to read about the MC with the self-esteem of a literal piece of dust and doesn't listen to people when they try to help; I sure as hell don't and I am sure most of you wouldn't either. What you should aim for when creating your character are character traits that balance each other out sort of like a real person because in real life your character changes as you progress with life and even if you're the embodiment of all things good according to your peers, you know for a fact that you have a mean side to yourself.

I'm going to use one of my other characters as an example. Taichi is back again and ready to help you learn how to balance personality traits out appropriately. Taichi is a dynamic character because he definitely goes through major development and makes him into a totally different character towards by the end of the [unwritten] story. I'm going to be using one specific scene without using spoilers since I haven't yet released this story in order to show you how traits can balance out and create a more realistic character. When he's first with the resistance he is under a false identity because the resistance is there to usurp power from the tyrants running Japan. During this scene there is an operation where his loved one is involved in and he wants to help his country of course by taking down the resistance from the inside, however, since to them he's only a low fry type of guy, they don't listen to him when he yells at them to save his loved one and out of his own selfishness he sacrifices the fate of his country and reveals his name in order to see them again. 

The character trait being portrayed when he is trying to help his country is bravery but it is counteracted by his own selfishness in the end. It's kind of like Newton's law of physics,  for everything, there is an equal yet opposite reaction. For every character trait, there is a good side and yet a bad side.

Just because your character is selfish does not mean they are bad, even you a real living and breathing person can be selfish so keep that in mind. Characters can be mean, selfish, eccentric, or even stubborn and yet still be a great person.To create a character solely out of only good traits is to create an unrealistic character.

So now that we got all of that sorted out I am going to be sharing with you a character chart I always use to plan out my characters for stories whether they be originals or fanfictions.

Character name and information: name, nickname (if they have one), height, date of birth

Appearance: hair color and style, face, body, clothing style, posture, significant details regarding the appearance of eye bags or scars or etc, height again.

History: date of birth, history of their life, extra information

Education and work: self-explanatory

Personal: personal history with characters, how they see themselves, their social environments, illnesses, disorders, pets, etc.

Family and friends: again, self-explanatory

Romantic interest (if there is one): self-explanatory

Enemies: self-explanatory

Personality: mental/emotional health, attitude/morals, religion, character traits, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes

This chart is very helpful because it helps you figure out how the plot ties into your character's life and whatnot. I think my little lesson on the character is over now, this wa really long and took a while to really gather information on but here is something that will help you with character development; the hero's steps chart.

This chart shows the development a hero can go through. This was just a random image I pulled off from google images but it gives you the general idea of how to use it.

If you still have questions please ask away or if you have any requests please leave them in the comments and I'll see you next time :)

-Anri