How to Create Compelling Characters That Captivate Your Readers

The real Basil Drewe

Compelling characters are the lifeblood of great storytelling. They are what linger in a reader’s mind long after the final chapter. Whether you’re crafting an epic saga, a quiet drama, or a literary novel, well-developed characters will elevate your narrative from interesting to unforgettable.

As a novelist, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful character work can resonate. My novel, A Remembrance of Death, was shortlisted for the Yeovil Literary Prize and went on to win the HFC Steinbeck Literary Award. It has been described as “a five-star, thought-provoking, poignant read” by The Historical Fiction Company, and judge A.J. West praised the novel by saying:

“A sweeping synopsis leads to prose with a classic sensibility, the opening chapters evoking a clear and present time and place, the characters lifting effortlessly from the page with authentic dialogue and engaging set pieces.”

Such feedback reinforces what I believe deeply: unforgettable characters make for unforgettable stories.

Here are seven key elements to help you create characters that feel real, evoke emotion, and keep your readers invested:

1. Unique Backgrounds

Cultural Heritage A character’s culture, traditions, and upbringing shape their worldview. This adds authenticity and complexity. For example, someone raised with strict communal values might struggle with individual ambition, creating internal tension that drives the story.

Life Experiences Backstories are essential. Trauma, privilege, love, or loss—all of it informs who a character becomes. In A Remembrance of Death, protagonist Basil Drewe is shaped profoundly by an accident to him, by the death of his brother and the social structures of early 20th-century Britain. His journey, and the psychological undertones beneath it, emerge from those past experiences.

2. Distinct Personality Traits

Flaws and Strengths Perfect characters are boring. Real ones are a mix of strength and vulnerability. Perhaps a character is morally upright but emotionally distant. These dualities make them believable and emotionally resonant.

Quirks and Habits Even small details—a nervous cough, a fondness for poetry, a refusal to use contractions—can bring your characters vividly to life.

3. Clear Motivations

Goals and Desires What drives your character? Love, revenge, recognition, belonging? These motivations give purpose to their actions.

Conflicts and Obstacles Place meaningful challenges in their path. In A Remembrance of Death, Basil confronts moral dilemmas, societal expectations, and personal loss—all of which test his ideals and shape his evolution.

4. Dynamic Relationships

Interpersonal Connections Rich characters don’t exist in a vacuum. Relationships with family, friends, enemies, and lovers reveal different facets of who they are.

Character Arcs Characters should grow—or at least change. In my novel, Basil's relationship with Celia Lutyens spans continents and decades, offering readers a deeply human reflection on love, regret, and resilience.

5. Voice and Dialogue

Distinctive Speech Patterns Give your characters unique voices. Vocabulary, tone, rhythm—they all reflect background and personality.

Authentic Conversations Realistic dialogue creates immersion. Reviewers of A Remembrance of Death noted the “authentic dialogue and engaging set pieces.” That realism comes from paying attention to how people speak and what they don’t say.

6. Evolution and Growth

Character Development Allow your characters to be transformed by the events of the story. Static characters quickly lose reader interest. Basil, for instance, evolves from a grieving young man into a barrister involved in the Nuremberg trials—his experiences shaping and reshaping his worldview.

Moral Dilemmas Push your characters into difficult choices. These moments reveal their deepest convictions—and flaws.

7. Visual and Physical Attributes

Appearance How a character dresses or carries themselves can hint at their inner world. Does their polished exterior hide inner turmoil? Does a scar reflect a forgotten trauma?

Body Language Use subtle cues—posture, gestures, eye movement—to deepen emotional layers. Non-verbal language is often more telling than words.

A Case Study: A Remembrance of Death

My novel has been praised not only for its historical scope but for its nuanced, emotionally resonant characters. As The Historical Fiction Company wrote:

“Tweeddale’s balancing of a fragile family life with the world falling apart in the background is expertly done... The characters are not straightforward but they are certainly relatable... It’s been a while since a novel has created such emotion.”

Set against the building of Castle Drogo and the backdrop of both world wars, the story follows Basil Drewe from the shadows of grief to the complexities of love, justice, and personal responsibility. His tangled relationship with Celia Lutyens, the haunting impact of the past, and the spectre of a family secret create a layered narrative that readers have called both thought-provoking and painfully realistic.

The novel’s reach is broad—moving from Devon to India, Africa, and Europe—but at its core, it remains about characters confronting death, legacy, and longing.

Conclusion

Creating compelling characters means crafting people who feel real—who make mistakes, learn, yearn, and grow. Whether set in a war-torn past or a speculative future, the human heart remains the same. As writers, it’s our task to illuminate that heart through voice, conflict, and transformation.

If A Remembrance of Death has taught me anything as both a writer and reader, it’s this: the power of character lies not in perfection, but in authenticity.

Let your characters be flawed. Let them evolve. Let them live—and your readers will follow them anywhere.