How to Develop Engaging Characters for Your Book

Creating engaging characters is one of the most important steps in writing a book, especially when it comes to children’s picture books or illustrated stories. Characters are what readers connect with—they drive the story forward and create an emotional bond with the audience. Here’s how you can develop memorable, relatable, and dynamic characters for your book.

Make Your Characters Relatable

For readers to connect with your characters, they need to feel relatable. This doesn’t mean your character has to be just like your reader, but they should possess qualities, emotions, or struggles that are universal. When developing your characters, think about:

• What are your character’s goals and desires? Every character should want something. Whether it’s as simple as finding a lost toy or as complex as saving their kingdom, your character’s desires drive the story.
• What are their strengths and weaknesses? Giving your characters strengths makes them admirable, but it’s their weaknesses that make them relatable. Readers identify with characters who aren’t perfect and who face challenges similar to their own.
• What makes your character unique? While relatability is key, uniqueness makes your characters stand out. Think about what makes your character different from others. It could be a quirky habit, an unusual talent, or a distinctive way they view the world.

Create Characters That Grow

Engaging characters evolve throughout the story. They face challenges, learn lessons, and change in response to their experiences. To create a dynamic character arc, consider:

• What is your character’s starting point? Think about where your character begins in the story. What are their beliefs, fears, or limitations at the start?
• How do they change by the end? Whether your character becomes braver, more compassionate, or discovers something new about themselves, the journey they go on should lead to growth. Readers love seeing characters who change over time.
• What events drive their growth? Your character’s development should be linked to the plot. Think about how key events in the story challenge your character and push them to evolve.

Make Your Characters Memorable

Memorable characters are ones that readers can’t forget, even after the book is closed. To create a lasting impression, focus on making your characters distinct:

• Use a strong visual or physical trait: Whether it’s wild, curly hair or a signature accessory like a bright yellow raincoat, give your character a unique, defining trait that makes them visually memorable.
• Create a unique voice: The way your character speaks or interacts with others can set them apart. Do they use particular phrases or speak in short, clipped sentences? Do they have a special way of expressing emotions?
• Give them a strong personality: Is your character bold and fearless, or quiet and thoughtful? Ensure their personality traits shine through their actions and dialogue. Readers should feel like they know your character inside and out by the end of the book.

Show, Don’t Tell

When it comes to character development, showing is always more powerful than telling. Instead of saying “Lily was brave,” show her bravery through her actions. For example:

• Instead of: “Lily was brave.”
• Try: “Lily took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and stepped into the dark cave, her hands trembling but her feet steady.”

Let your characters reveal their emotions, strengths, and weaknesses through their behavior, dialogue, and choices.

Build Relationships Between Characters

How your characters interact with others is just as important as their individual development. Relationships reveal more about your characters and add depth to the story. When developing relationships between characters, consider:

• How do the characters feel about each other? Are they best friends, rivals, or family members? Their relationships should influence the story and their development.
• How do they grow through these relationships? Relationships can shape how your characters evolve. Maybe a character learns patience through a sibling, or bravery by standing up to a bully.
• Do they experience conflict or collaboration? Both conflict and teamwork are great ways to reveal more about your characters. Don’t shy away from moments of disagreement or tension—they help develop character depth.

Know Your Character’s Backstory

Even if you don’t share every detail of your character’s past in the book, understanding their backstory can help you write more convincingly. Ask yourself:

• Where did this character come from? What are their past experiences that shape how they behave in the present?
• What motivates them? A character’s backstory often holds the key to their motivations, fears, and desires. This adds depth to their actions and makes their decisions feel more authentic.