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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

How do I make a timid, introverted protagonist sympathetic and likable?



How do you make an introverted character interesting?

Here are ten tips on bringing your introverted characters to life:

  1. Make them quiet, not shy. …
  2. Give them a retreat, not a cave. …
  3. Let them create. …
  4. Create them as an expert in their field. …
  5. Pay attention to their learning style. …
  6. Make them the underdog. …
  7. Write them as sarcastic, cynical and argumentative.

How do I make my protagonist likable?

12 Tips on How to Write a Likable Character

  1. Introduce your character early on in the story. …
  2. Make your character a flawed person. …
  3. Give them a backstory to help readers connect with them. …
  4. Make sure they have goals and motivations that are relatable. …
  5. Show their vulnerability, but don’t let it become too much of an issue.

How do you make a quiet character interesting?





Leverage Important Dialogue



Second, when strong and silent characters do choose to break silence, it’s always because they have something of importance to say. Strong and silent types say what they mean and they mean what they say—and they’re not likely to speak twice before acting upon their words.

How do you make a reader root your character?

Here are two principles to follow as you create no-wuss characters for your own story.

  1. Creating characters that readers root for doesn’t mean creating perfect characters. It’s easy to think that a strong character is someone who is always confident. …
  2. Intentionally create characters that act when faced with a crisis.


How do you make a sympathetic character?

Here are some tips:



  1. Show them caring about something. Give them a dog, a kid sister, a beloved cricket, anything. …
  2. Make them vulnerable. If a character appears invincible it’s hard to identify with them as a living and breathing human being. …
  3. Give them quirks. …
  4. Justify their motivations. …
  5. Show their wounds.



What qualities make a person likeable?

The 39 traits of likable people

  • They actively listen.
  • They make a great first impression.
  • They’re accountable for their mistakes.
  • They do what they say they’ll do.
  • They treat everyone with respect.
  • They ask questions instead of making assumptions.
  • They laugh.
  • They live for themselves, not to please others.

How do you write a charming manipulative character?

Usually, manipulators have two goals. They want trust, and they want absolute control. To write about a manipulative character, the small details work best until your character gets absolute power over their victims. Then you can switch over to more obvious details like shouting, blackmail, and physical abuse.

What makes you care about a character?

Plot keeps the story moving, characters keep readers reading. Your hero’s vulnerabilities are the best way to get your reader to care about your character. Empathy is the glue that connects your reader to your character and your story. You won’t have a viable story without a plot.

How do you make a character relatable?


Quote from video: Number one key ingredient to relatable characters is fatal flaws to put it bluntly.

What makes a strong character in a story?

Great characters are driven by a deep-seated motivation and have a goal they are trying to reach. This creates interesting characters and also creates a story arc. The main character’s driving force should be one of the first story elements you figure out, since the subsequent action will be driven by this motivation.

What make readers care about your characters?

Here are five ways to make readers care about your characters:



  • Make Your Characters Need Something. …
  • Make Your Characters Take A Stand On Important Issues. …
  • Make Your Character The Underdog. …
  • Give Your Characters Idealistic Qualities. …
  • Give Your Characters Formidable Foes.

How do you fall in love with your character?

I remember the first time I fell in love with a character in my writing.



  1. Write the character before the book. …
  2. Create a history. …
  3. Write about your character outside the realm of the main story. …
  4. Torture the hell out of them. …
  5. Live vicariously through your character.


How do you get people to like your character?

Deadline: Sunday, July 31st

  1. Make Your Characters Need Something. …
  2. Make Your Characters Take A Stand On Important Issues. …
  3. Make Your Character The Underdog. …
  4. Give Your Characters Idealistic Qualities. …
  5. Give Your Characters Formidable Foes. …
  6. QUESTION: We know there are more ways to make characters empathetic.


What makes a character unlikeable?

If the audience can’t stand your main character, then they probably won’t get very far in the story. We call this critical factor a character’s “likability.” We’ve previously described how you can make your character likable by giving them sympathetic, selfless, and interesting traits.



How do you write an unlikable protagonist?

Here are some things to consider as you develop your lead character.

  1. First, decide whether they’re flawed or a villain.
  2. Flawed Characters:
  3. Choose your flaws wisely.
  4. Show what caused the flaws.
  5. Make sure there’s balance.
  6. Show them overcoming their flaws.
  7. Villains:
  8. Make it clear that they’re supposed to be a baddy.

How do you make a likeable villain?

Villain Characteristics Checklist:

  1. He’s convinced he’s the good guy.
  2. He has many likeable qualities.
  3. He’s a worthy enough opponent to make your hero look good.
  4. You (and your reader) like when he’s on stage.
  5. He’s clever and accomplished enough that people must lend him begrudging respect.
  6. He can’t be a fool or a bumbler.

How do you make a villain sympathetic?

5 Tips for Writing a Sympathetic Villain

  1. Make them believe they’re the hero. …
  2. Craft a tragic backstory. …
  3. Give them an internal conflict. …
  4. Employ supporting characters. …
  5. Show them doing a good deed.


How can I make my villain intimidated?

What Makes a Terrifying Villain?



  1. 3.1 Find Their Desire:
  2. 3.2 Mirror Your Hero:
  3. 3.3 Create Impact:
  4. 3.4 Ditch the Evil:
  5. 3.5 Make Them Real:
  6. 3.6 Push Them to the Edge: