How to Write Characters Readers Will Love (or Love to Hate)

Characters are the heart of any great story. They are the ones readers invest in, root for, and feel connected to. Whether you're writing a protagonist readers will adore or an antagonist they can’t get enough of, creating memorable and complex characters is key to keeping your audience engaged. Here's how to write characters readers will either love—or love to hate.

1. Give Your Characters Depth and Complexity

One-dimensional characters are forgettable. To create a character that resonates with readers, they must feel real—flaws, strengths, and all. Nobody is perfect, and the best characters often have internal struggles, fears, or contradictions that make them feel authentic.

• Strengths and weaknesses: Give your character traits that make them both admirable and relatable. A hero who is courageous but also has doubts or fears is far more engaging than a flawless protagonist.
• Backstory: A character’s past shapes who they are. Create a backstory that informs their actions, motivations, and worldview. What do they want? Why do they want it? What’s standing in their way?

Pro Tip: Characters with emotional depth, such as unresolved trauma, moral dilemmas, or complex desires, are often the most compelling. These nuances draw readers in and make them care.

2. Make Them Relatable

Even in the world of fantasy, readers want to connect with the characters on an emotional level. The more relatable your characters are, the more readers will care about their journey. Relatable doesn’t mean mundane—it means creating a character who shares basic human qualities.

For example, a fantasy hero might wield magical powers, but at their core, they could still struggle with common emotions like loneliness, fear, love, or a desire for belonging. These emotions transcend genre, and readers can empathize with characters who face relatable dilemmas, even in a magical or fantastical context.

Pro Tip: Show vulnerability in your characters. Even the most powerful sorcerer or feared warrior may have insecurities or doubts that readers can sympathize with.

3. Make Them Unique and Memorable

The best characters are the ones that readers remember long after they finish the book. To achieve this, create distinctive personalities and quirks that make your characters stand out. Whether it’s a unique way of speaking, a memorable appearance, or an unexpected skill, give your characters something that makes them feel fresh and original.

A unique character might not be “perfect,” but they will be unforgettable because they’re distinct in some way—perhaps the way they think, speak, or behave. They might even be slightly unpredictable, which keeps readers on their toes.

"The most memorable characters are those who make readers feel, whether through admiration, frustration, or compassion. They are the ones who stay with us long after the book ends."‍

‍Pro Tip: Think about how your character’s personality contrasts with others in the story. This can make interactions more dynamic and interesting.

4. Build Relationships and Conflict

Strong characters don’t exist in a vacuum. Their interactions with others—whether allies, mentors, or rivals—will deepen their complexity and make them more engaging. Relationships in your story give your character opportunities to grow and evolve.

1. Friendship, romance, rivalry, and family dynamics: These relationships are often the backbone of character development. A character’s vulnerability, loyalty, or flaws will shine through when they’re in conflict or connection with others.
2. Conflict: Internal and external conflict is crucial. What forces shape your character's decisions? Is there a personal battle they’re fighting, or are they facing an external obstacle that challenges their growth? Conflict is what makes your character’s journey meaningful.

Pro Tip: Readers love seeing characters evolve. Use relationships to challenge them, create tension, and spark growth.

5. Create a Compelling Antagonist (or Villain)

Sometimes, readers love a character not because they’re “good,” but because they’re intriguing and complex. The best antagonists are more than just evil forces—they often have compelling motivations that make readers understand why they do what they do, even if they disagree with their methods.

• Complex motivations: A villain who believes they are doing the right thing (even if their methods are questionable) can be far more compelling than a one-dimensional evil character.
• Contrasting ideologies: A villain who challenges the hero’s values or represents a threat to what the protagonist holds dear can create compelling conflict that drives the narrative forward.

Pro Tip: Give your villain some redeeming qualities, or make them sympathetic in some way. Readers may hate them, but they’ll appreciate the complexity of the character.

6. Use Humor and Wit to Make Characters More Engaging

Humor is a powerful tool for making characters more lovable, even in the darkest of settings. A character who can make readers laugh, or who has a sharp wit, is often more memorable. Humor humanizes characters, and a well-timed joke or snappy comeback can endear readers to even the most serious of protagonists.

1. Flaws and quirks: Let your character's humor come from their personality and worldview, not just from forced jokes.
2. Timing: The best humor is often about timing. Use it strategically to lighten the mood or make the character more likable.

Pro Tip: Humor can also be a form of coping for your character. Maybe they make jokes when they’re nervous or deflect serious moments with humor. This adds to their emotional depth.

7. Let Characters Evolve

The journey of personal growth is one of the most powerful tools in creating beloved characters. Readers want to see characters change, adapt, and grow through the story. Whether they learn to overcome their fears, develop their powers, or learn a hard lesson about themselves, seeing a character evolve keeps readers invested in their story.

Pro Tip: Even antagonists can experience growth. A character’s evolution can take many forms, from redemption arcs to moments of self-realization.

Conclusion

Writing characters that readers will love—or love to hate—requires a mix of complexity, relatability, and uniqueness. Whether you're creating a charming hero or a villain readers can’t get enough of, characters are the key to making your story unforgettable. Focus on building depth, relationships, and emotional stakes, and you’ll craft characters that readers will remember long after they turn the last page.

For more writing tips, check out this helpful resource.