How to Fix Flat Characters
Characters—protagonist, antagonist, supporting, and minor—are the heart and soul of any story. And developing each of those characters is a big part of writing your first draft. Strong, well-rounded characters not only add depth, individuality, and color to your novel, they also help you move your plot forward, add tension to your story, and keep your readers hooked on your story.
Throughout August, we’ve explored characters every novel needs, and we’re wrapping up our discussion on characters with this post in which we’ll discuss what flat characters are, what three-dimensional characters are, and how to fix flat characters to make them feel more realistic.
What is a Flat Character?
A flat character lacks depth and complexity. They are one-dimensional and often serve just one purpose. Flat characters tend to serve a single purpose, but they don't have any real individuality or backstory to help you add depth or tension to your story.
What is a Three-Dimensional Character?
A three-dimensional character is complex, vulnerable, and fully fleshed out. They have a backstory, personality, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Three-dimensional characters feel like real people, and readers better relate to them.
How to Fix a Flat Character?
Fixing a flat character is all about adding depth and complexity to them. Take some time before you start writing to develop backstory for each of your characters.
Where did they come from?
What are their motivations?
What are their fears and desires?
Once you have answers to these questions, you can create a more complex and interesting character.
Another way to fix a flat character—give them flaws. No one is perfect (and your characters shouldn’t be either). A flawless character won't feel real. So add some grit to your characters by giving them flaws and weaknesses.
Our last piece of advice for fixing flat characters? Make sure each character has a unique voice. The way each character speaks and thinks should be different from other characters in the story.
Are all Flat Characters Bad for Writing?
Not all flat characters are bad. In fact, flat characters can be useful in certain situations. For example, if you need a character to move your plot along but don't want them to distract from the main characters, then a flat character can be effective.
Your main characters, however, always need to be robust, three-dimensional characters with personal motivations, backstory, strengths and weaknesses, flaws and more. If your protagonist is flawless and flat, readers will have a hard time connecting with them.
