How to Do a Character Study

I don’t know about you, but I love characters. I often create a character with a backstory and personality but have no book to put them in. Like scenery, characters are colorful and different, some more than others (depending on their personality and the author). The more realistic or relatable the character is, the more we tend to like them.

            Many incredible characters have been crafted, from Luke Skywalker to Frodo Baggins. Whether it's a main character or a side character, some authors have the incredible ability to bring them to life. How do they do that? What’s their secret or what is it about the character that makes them so memorable?

            I wondered this too, which is why I began to do character studies.

There might be other versions of a character study (many websites I looked at said it was a type of film…), but my version is looking at your favorite or a well-written fictional character and examining what makes that character so amazing. You could even try studying a not-so-well-written character to see where the writer went wrong. It could be a movie character or a book character, one based on real life or one entirely fictional – it doesn’t matter.

            The point of a character study is to see how a certain character is written so you can apply some of those concepts to your own characters. I’m not telling you to copy and paste the character or most of their traits into one of yours. Look at how the writer (or even the actor) portrayed the character. What made the character stand out to you? What about them is so amazing that, whether hero or villain, you can’t help but admire or relate to them?

            When you are attached to or admire a character, that means the writer did a great job. Thus if you figure out how the character overcame (or submitted to) their flaws or achieved their goals, then you can apply some of those techniques to your own writing. How can you depict your characters the same way so that they stand out and the reader feels their emotions?

Research

            I hate researching for school, but researching for a character study is fun. It means you get to read and watch every scene with that character in it. You can take as much time as you need with this. Note everything about the character – their mannerisms, their mood, their opinions. Before you think about anything else, just take notes about the character and get to know them as if they were your new best friend.

            Pay attention to how they interact with the people around them or with certain people. Does the character act one way around one person and act the complete opposite around another? Are they quiet, talkative, bored? Do they purposefully look for fights, or do they hate confrontation? Don’t leave out anything. It could be important.

            As the story continues, you might start to notice the character change from your original notes. Write that down! It’s called a character arc, and that is vital. Make sure you organize your notes in a way so you know that place is where the character begins to change and not that the character is inconsistent (unless they are – another important thing to note and not apply to your story).

            Don’t forget to make a special note for the turning point! What made the character completely flip their life around, or why did the character show more courage than they ever had? Or where did the character decide to take a darker turn? Write that down too if only to remind you that turning points exist.

            Once your research is done, it’s time to study.

Interactions

            When you did your research, you probably immediately noticed how they interact with others. Watching the character interact with different people helps you figure out what their personality is like. Are they honest around people, or do they put on airs? Is there one person or group they turn up their nose to or perhaps show extra attention to?

            It’s interesting to watch how characters interact with each other. One character could be the meanest person at home but the biggest sweetheart in public (or vice versa). A strong, intimidating character could be soft toward an animal. It depends on their situation, and certain situations shine a spotlight on the character’s true personality.

            Once you’ve studied the character’s interactions, think about how your character reacts with your other characters. Do they act the same way around everyone, or could tension be added? Is your character completely open with their emotions, or will they hide them unless they’re around one specific person? Interactions with other characters help your reader get to know your character even more.

Backstory and Influences

            Hopefully while you did your research, you took note of how the character’s backstory was revealed. Backstory is vital because that is what shapes a character (and us, for that matter). In most fiction, the character had a traumatic childhood or childhood experience that made them into the strong fighter or angry villain they are now. What shaped the character you studied into what they are now? Did something happen to them that changed their life forever?

            What is your own character’s backstory? What happened in the past to bring them to where they are now (emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically)? Is it something that bothers them once in a while, or is it a recurring nightmare?

            Characters are also shaped by their influences. Look at the people around them and see which one the character listens to or follows. Who are the authority figures in the story (parents, government, teachers, etc.)? Whether the character likes those influences or not, the influences can still determine how that character acts.

            What influences are in your own character’s life? Are they good or bad? Can the character be manipulated into following (or not following) them? Do they have a certain hold on your character’s life that your character can’t escape from?

Reactions

            Besides interactions, reactions to a conflict or issue are the best way to determine the character’s personality. The character might also have different reactions depending on the situation (which is important to note). A character might exhibit strength and courage every day, but when put on the battlefield, they could feel queasy or terrified. Someone who doesn’t like confrontation might finally snap and go on a rant in front of the person they hate most. It’s these kinds of situations that surprise the reader and keep the character interesting.

            Most authors are good at having their character react realistically to a situation. But I have encountered a couple of books (I can’t remember which ones) where something tragic happens, but the main character goes on with life or the mission as if nothing lifechanging just occurred. I know it’s kind of an unspoken rule that you shouldn’t have a character dwell a lot on something that happened – but when you fail to address the issue outside of the scene where it happens, then it takes away from the character and the story. Okay, sure, the character might be good at moving on from stuff. Good for them. But I also think that’s a missed opportunity for character development or a possible weakness (which would add to the story).

            That’s just my two cents.

            Anyway, look at how the character you are studying reacts to certain situations. Are they reacting realistically, or do they have a strength that helps them endure it? Is it consistent with their character, or did a change occur?

            Look at your own characters and ask the same questions!

Strengths and Flaws

            Strengths and flaws are what make a character worth reading. Without strengths or flaws, your character will be dull. So don’t make them wimpy, and don’t make them perfect.

            There are a multitude of strengths and flaws a character has. Look at the character you’re studying. What are their strengths and flaws? How do those play into the story? How does the character overcome their flaws or allow themselves to succumb to those flaws? Even a character’s strength can run out – that’s how some villains are created. The Jedi are supposed to encourage peace and patience, but Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith (Lucas, 2005) forgets or ignores his training and allows his anger to fuel him.

            Sometimes a protagonist might not overcome all their flaws, and that’s okay! Honestly, that makes them more realistic and relatable. When we go through a hard time, do we suddenly overcome all our flaws and come out a perfect person? No. But I have found most main characters turn out that way, and that kind of annoys me now, to be honest.

            Allow me to fangirl for a second (possible spoilers ahead). In Morgan Rhodes’s (2012) The Falling Kingdoms series, Magnus Damora starts out as an antihero. Throughout the series, he fights his flaws, and by the last book, he’s a better person than he was, though he still struggles with some of his old flaws. He went through the most amazing character arc I’ve ever encountered, but he still isn’t perfect by the end. That makes him human though. Besides him and Kaz Brekker in Leigh Bardugo’s (2015) Six of Crows, I don’t like main characters. Magnus and Kaz both have many strengths, but their flaws, which they still struggle with, give them so much character, and I love it.

            That could be a tactic you may try with your characters. How can you make your characters more relatable and human so the reader can connect with them better? What flaws can they overcome and which ones may take time beyond the story?

Character Arc

            Character arcs are my favorite things about characters. It’s fun and fascinating to watch characters grow from one person into another and to watch that change affect them and those around them. I will admit right now I am a sucker for redemption arcs. They’re so good!

            Character arcs are gradual. It may take one book or movie, or it may take five (depending on how long the series is). If the character you chose is a side character, then the arc may not be as noticeable, if there is one at all (it depends on what kind of side character they are). But if the character is a main character, then the character arc should be at least a little more noticeable.

            Remember how I told you to make note of whether/when the character’s traits begin to contradict your original notes about them? This is why. As the story progresses, characters change, either into a stronger version of their original selves or perhaps a better or worse person than they used to be. When their traits contradict or slightly differ from what they were in the beginning of the story, it’s because the character is changing.

            There are two things you should examine here. First, how fast and how noticeable was the character’s arc? Was there an immediate change, or did most of the story pass by and you suddenly realized they’re completely opposite of who they once were? In movies, it’s a little harder to discern this because we can’t see into the character’s head. But in books, we’re often thrown into the characters’ thoughts and feelings, so we get a better idea of when the character is changing.

            This also means looking at the turning point. The turning point is usually when the character is at their lowest, and they have a choice to go back to who they once were or go a different direction (they usually choose the latter). Make note of when the turning point happens and how much the character changes after it.

            The second thing you should examine is how the character changed. Were there setbacks? Did they begin to change, then go back to their old ways before fully changing? You may find that some characters are reluctant to change (if they notice it at all), and those who want change are opposed by other forces. There is always conflict in stories, and character arcs are no exception! Either the character fights it or other forces do.

Study the story arc to determine the character’s journey from who they were in the beginning to who they were by the end of the story. Then think about your own character’s story arc. Is it noticeable? Is your character aware of their change? Is there conflict from the character and/or outside forces that could prevent a needed change from taking place? Story arcs are important to the story. What is a story without characters?

Hopefully after performing this character study, you have figured out what makes your favorite or chosen character stand out. Interactions, reactions, strengths, flaws, and character arc are all things that make a character unique. The key is creating a mix that keeps your character interesting and portraying them in a way that makes them relatable and somewhat realistic. I know it’s tempting to copy your favorite character’s personality into your own story, but I encourage you to try other traits and personalities while also using skills you learned from the study. Who knows, maybe you’ll create a character that someone will want to study one day!

Bibliography

Lucas, G. (Director) & McCallum, R. (Producer). (2005.) Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. [Motion Picture]. Lucasfilm Ltd.

Rhodes, M. (2012). Falling Kingdoms. Razorbill.

Bardugo, L. (2015). Six of Crows. Henry Holt & Co.