Welcome to the 2nd week of EC Writing Workshop. This week is all about the characters; protagonist(s) & antagonist. Without any extra comments, let's firstly understand the difference between a one-dimensional character & a multi-dimensional lead, as well as how to write a compelling character, or characters.

Reminder: don't stop the flow of writing, keep the updates coming!

One-dimensional character: A character in a story who lacks depth and complexity, typically only displaying one dominant personality trait or characteristic, and does not change or develop significantly throughout the narrative. They often have only one defining trait, like being the "evil villain" or the "damsel in distress." Their primary purpose is usually to serve a specific function in the plot, rather than to be a complex and relatable individual. In a classic fairy tale, the "wicked stepmother" might be considered a one-dimensional character, as their sole role is to be cruel and antagonistic towards the protagonist without much nuance or internal conflict. They are also called "flat character", and their character is often a stereotype that may simply be used as a literary device to keep the narrative moving.

A multidimensional character is a character with a range of characteristics, emotions, and behaviors, similar to a real person. They are not limited to a single trait or role, but have layers and complexities. For example, a multidimensional character could be brave but vulnerable, kind but flawed, or confident with underlying insecurities. They often appear more realistic because they reflect the complexities of real people; are also called "round character".

All round characters in storytelling will have:

• Multifaceted personalities.
• A storied history of experiences that led them to this moment.
• A guiding motivation that pushes them into the choices that they make.
• Internal conflict that arises as a result of those choices.
• Ideals, places, or people that they hold dear to their heart.
• Something that they’re afraid of.
• The capacity to make mistakes.
• A tragic flaw that inhibits them from attaining their goal.

<<[Section from Scribophile]>>

The difference between round vs. dynamic characters is that “round” refers to a character’s empathetic depth and complexity, while “dynamic” refers to their ability to change. A dynamic character begins with one mindset or state of being, and by the end of the story they have undergone a dramatic and measurable transformation.

For example, a villain may find redemption and ultimately emerge a hero; or, in a tragedy, a hero may be taken over by their tragic flaw and turn into a villain. The change can also be a subtle shift in worldview, such as an overbearing and conservative parent coming to accept their child’s contentious choices.

Most dynamic characters are also round characters. That’s because for this type of character arc to be believable and impactful, the readers need to engage with the character. However, you can have a round character that doesn’t change over the course of the story: this would make them a static character.

<<[Section from Scribophile]>>

How to write a memorable character?

📌 The key to a good round character is to have a thorough understanding of the character’s backstory. Some of this might make it onto the page, but you as the author should always know more than the reader. When you understand your character backwards and forwards, that authenticity will naturally emerge in your writing. This means asking yourself questions like, "What was this person’s relationship with the people who raised them?"; "Who were their most formative influences?"; and "What were their biggest challenges growing up?" We like to pretend we can leave the past behind, but in reality, our pasts shape every decision that we make. The same is true of our characters. Knowing your character’s history will help them feel more human and alive to both you and your audience.

📌 Round characters are rife with internal conflict. This means that their primary objective is in direct conflict with either a secondary goal or a core belief. An excellent example of this is the protagonist of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in which the main character’s objective—helping his new black friend—conflicts with the racially imbalanced views he was raised with. Internal conflict can also be things like your character supporting a successful friend even as they grow increasingly jealous of their success, or attempting to strike a balance between honoring their family’s expectations while also making their own independent choices. We all face internal conflict, small and large, every day. When your readers see your complex characters facing inner conflict of their own, they’ll be able to relate to their struggles on a deeper, more empathetic level.

📌 One of the most important things to remember when writing well-developed characters is to make sure the reader knows why the character takes the actions that they do. Part of this comes from their history, as we discussed above, but also from the things they want most in life and the things they most believe in. For example, if a character accepts a dubious job that goes against their personal ethics (a great source of inner conflict!), the reader needs to know why they’ve accepted. Is it because they need the money? If so, what do they need money so badly for? Is it because they’re a corporate spy? If so, what makes them willing to step into such a dangerous role? Is your character marrying someone they don’t love? What experiences, fundamental needs, or beliefs about themself have led them to this choice? Whether your main character is a good guy or a bad guy, it’s essential that you understand their reasoning behind the choices that they make.

📌 All compelling characters need something that drives them forward on their journey. This is the reason they can’t give up and turn back. This might be a friend or family member, an altruistic belief, a community, or some form of self validation. The character’s constant pursuit of this need is what moves the story forward; everything that happens in the plot comes from the character’s refusal, or inability to give up.

📌 As you explore your character development, determine what hidden "superpowers" your main characters might have. In fantastical and supernatural settings, this might be a literal superpower; in more realistic fiction, your character’s "superpower" might be the ability to diffuse tension in a room, the ability to stand up to injustice when no one else will, a gift for music, or a razor-sharp eye for bargains. Sometimes these strengths will be part of a character’s identity from the beginning, and other times they might be slowly revealed as the story progresses. In the end, their greatest strength will play a role in obtaining the thing they’ve been fighting for all along.

📌 Just as your main character will have strengths they draw on in times of crisis, they’ll also have a fatal flaw that puts them at risk of losing everything they’ve fought for. In real life, people are undone by their tragic weaknesses all the time; much of our lives are spent trying to overcome our own flaws and push them down. Your characters will face the same battles. Your character’s weaknesses might be something supernatural, like kryptonite; or, it could be something like impulsivity, pride, avarice, an inclination to follow the crowd, a mistrust of others, or a tendency to trust too easily. Often, a character’s weaknesses and strengths are most effective when they mirror each other. For example, if their key characteristic is that they’re great at diffusing tension and bringing peace to an argument, their weakness might be that they’re very passive and have difficulty standing up for themselves in times of conflict. By giving your character relatable traits that readers can recognise within themselves, they’ll feel more like real people and less like cardboard cutouts.

Example of a round character:

🌿 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

In Donna Tartt’s novel, The Goldfinch, Theodore Decker survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum at the age of 13. After watching his mother and many others die, he staggers out of the museum through the debris, taking with him a small, Dutch painting titled The Goldfinch. Tartt's novel tells Decker’s coming-of-age story; it shows how life changes and develops for Decker as he enters into a world of crime in which his only anchor is the stolen (and very valuable) painting. Eventually, Decker moves to Las Vegas with his father and befriends a boy named Boris Pavlikovsky. Boris is both shameless and whimsical; the two boys spend a lot of time together, stealing groceries and taking drugs. Because the boys spend so much time in conversation, we learn a lot about Boris's history, even though he ends up disappearing for much of the story—only to return and reveal to Decker that he stole the painting years earlier, when they were young boys, and fooled Decker by replacing it with a textbook of similar size and weight. Boris sold the painting, which has since been sold to various criminals, but he vows to find and return it to Decker.

Boris is a minor character who continues to surprise the reader, not necessarily because he undergoes profound changes as the novel progresses, but because Tartt slowly reveals the many layers of his character—which indicates that he is a round character. He is not simply a "bad boy," who steals and lies. Although he often causes trouble for Decker, he’s also loyal, has conflicting desires and motivations, and has a complex way of showing his kindness and friendship.

Daily Activity:

Continue working on your stories, keep learning more and explore these corners of writing. Develop your characters in the opening few chapters, make them sound realistic, believable, give them depth, offer them a varied set of traits that make them more like us than a bland robot. Ultimately, your characters are going to make their ways to the reader's heart and stay there for long. Use this strength wisely!

Get feedback on opening chapter from your Mentor, and keep working on next chapter(s). Focus on maintaining the daily writing habit.

Comment and tell us about your progress, hype each other up. We would love to know if you are feeling happy with the lessons. Or if there is any specific lesson that you would like to see.

It's time to update the leaderboard, now that we are one week in! Stay tuned to see who's topping the charts ;)

Happy writing!