Writing Likable Characters ISN'T What You Think It Is

Some of the clips I use relate to what I am talking about, others... less so. Let me know what you're wrestling with!
Writing likable characters is an art; this video will show you how it's done! Learn the importance of relatability and empathy in character development. Discover the power of flaws and vulnerabilities in making your characters more likable. From relatable experiences to relatable desires, find out how to create characters that your audience will root for. Don't miss out on this invaluable advice - subscribe now to become a master of likable character creation!
Interested in booking a 1-on-1 call to talk about your writing, stories, or publishing in general? You can book a call with me and I will review/critique up to 50 pages of your work:
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Chapters:
00:00 We are writing CHARACTERS... Also, don't use cheap tricks
02:08 Relatability
06:23 FLAWS! And Vulnerability
10:46 Acting Realistically and Truthfully (WITH CONVICTION!)
15:58 Thank you
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📚Some of My Fiction (check out my Linktree for more!)
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-Catatonic Cargo: tinyurl.com/bpa8jpbe
-The One Who Did Not Go: tinyurl.com/sxkt285u
-To Hold Something Like You: voicesdelaluna.org/ (Winter 2022 issue)
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[@wrestlingwithwords]

How To Write A Better Character Backstory: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6iVnZRuqdyhaqMsi=zz0RONPuFWlpGmHg How To Write Memorable Names: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqaqqYuqm52fasksi=ofI-bFHG8s40rFXi

[@Ang-gh3iy]

Great video! I love using the seven deadly sins too when giving a character a flaw, or even trying to make a flaw a virtue. Pride and greed are easy for me, but some of the others can be tough.

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Absolutely!

[@NYKIKE]

Likeability is silly. Interesting and thematic are everything

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Being interesting and thematic is what truly captivates an audience and keeps them coming back for more. Likeability is sort of a byproduct. People do tend to overhype making their characters "likable".

[@NYKIKE]

@@wrestlingwithwords I agree whole heartedly. The likeability is just a shallow surface that requires the depth of realism instilled by giving them flaws that we face in situations that move us and make us feel. I believe it is where empathy is easiest improved upon because in most things, people only think of themselves. Seeing people struggle with what you do and still overcoming to success or seeing the real raw impact of failure is what makes good elevate to great

[@Khatoon170]

Happy belated new year mr Aaron. I didn’t send comments to you from long time. Iam Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American KZbin channels. Thank you for your wonderful educational channel about creative writing. I gathered main theme about topic you mentioned briefly here it’s defining likable character is someone that readers are going to care about and invest in . Traits of likable character are not being too vile or mean . Not being too perfect or good . Not being too annoying or crass. Having backbone or agency . Having goal and being persistent. Having good characteristics. Being complex , importance for literary characters to be likable because readers want to see themselves. There are 8 rules on how to write likable character. They must have flaws . They must have goals and motivations that are relatable. They must show vulnerability. They must make mistakes. They must have traits that set them apart from other people in their world. They must act realistically and truthfully. They must have conviction. Their positive traits must be their defining characteristics over their negative ones . I hope you like synopsis. We appreciate your great efforts both native and none native speakers. Best wishes for you your dearest ones .

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed comment! I'm glad you found the information helpful. It's good to hear from you again!

[@TheMightyPika]

Important - a character's flaw has a side effect of giving them a Sin and a Virtue Example: The Flaw is that the character is seen as INSIGNIFICANT- people ignore them, talk over them, and see them as someone not worth their time. The Sin resulting from experiencing a life of being treated like this can be FRUSTRAITION, meaning they have a short temper and be desperate for recognition, also feeling poor self-worth. The Virtue would be SELFLESSNESS, meaning they would not see their own worth and likely put the suffering of other above themselves. They would hate to see others in their position and fight for them even when no one listens.

[@wrestlingwithwords]

This can be the case, most definitely! Thank you for your comment.

[@AxleBoost]

Would you consider "The Devil Wears Prada" riches to rags? In a way, I would, but it's portrayed as a positive character arc at the same time. I think emotionally, it rises, whereas socially there's a perceived fall from greatness. Thoughts?

[@wrestlingwithwords]

It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but I would say that in a way, it probably is. However, riches-to-rags CAN be a positive arc--riches-to-rags does not have to be a negative arc. In a way, I can imagine that many riches-to-rags stories are probably a positive arc: The character realizes that money/their higher status is not everything and changes for the better.... Good question though and thank you for it! I hope this helps!

[@MrNoucfeanor]

Tigerland was another good flawed character driven movie with Colin Farrel. 13:47 Tamlin and Rhysand doing a complete 180 in the sequel to A court of thorns and roses, was extremely jarring and rediculous. I've never read past that book after returning it; I'll never forgive being made to hate a character, then forced to like them & vice versa with Tamlin.

[@ComicPower]

My characters feel real to me.

[@wrestlingwithwords]

As they should! Flaws help with that.

[@aSnailCyclopsNamedSteve]

Sorry, not a fan of a music background. It makes it harder to hear the words.

[@wrestlingwithwords]

I appreciate that feedback!

[@keithmorris5104]

maybe it's just me, but i had to mute and read the subtitles, the dramatic piano was toooo much annoying. anyway, good video, nice touches and nuances. i saw you got many interesting videos that im planning to watch. usually not for something new, but new perspective on the subject. it would be interesting listening to you while picking some easy comprehensible text and applying the details you're speaking about, like in this video. i know, maybe it's a bit too much work, but who knows, one day. see you mate

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Thank you for watching (or reading I suppose!) Sorry about the music. I'll try and see what might be causing the mixing for the audio, but I think the background music comes through louder with headphone users. That is my bad.

[@zack_feldman]

Weird! I had the exact opposite reaction, thought the piano was subtle and contributed to a serene mood whilst I listened. Sorry it messed with your listening!

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Well, thank you :). It might just be a taste thing too. Either way, I appreciate you both!

[@zack_feldman]

Great video as usual! When you are designing a character, do you build them from the ground up with a flaw, or start from a different place- perhaps what function they will serve in the overall narrative, and then later add flaws? Thanks!

[@wrestlingwithwords]

Thank you! I usually do one of two things... 1) is I consider their function and how they will service the plot/story, or I have a function that I need a character to fulfill. After that is figured out, I'll go and flesh them out (giving them flaws, backstories, relations, wants... needs... all that stuff) 2) is that I have an idea for an interesting character or a character with an interesting element/position/feature that I think can fit into the story. Usually from there, I think of how to work them into the plot/story and how much of a role they will actually play. After I understand that, I'll give them their flaws and virtues and all that other "character" stuff.

[@zack_feldman]

@@wrestlingwithwords I can certainly see the value in that! Some of my characters have come into their flaws naturally, based on their design, backstory, or another factor. Others have made their need for a flaw apparent as I have moved through the story: they’ve become less interesting, less identifiable, or plastic. The editing pass will start with a look at each character, their motivations, desires, flaws, and I’ll use a guide document for their dialogue and thoughts as I move through the draft. Thanks again!

[@wrestlingwithwords]

@Zack_feldman Exactly! What is your process for developing your characters?

[@zack_feldman]

@@wrestlingwithwords Hmm, many of the characters I am working on now have been floating in my head for 20 years. I certainly fell into the "worldbuilding disease" state of being, but maybe eight months ago began writing daily. So the characters started off as archetypes from the mind of a younger me. As I write them, they are transforming, becoming more tragic, and more relatable...making less rational decisions based on past situations that the reader is not necessarily aware of - akin to real life. That said, its less effective. I have build a character template now, listing many different factors for each character I devise, focusing on wants, limitations, biases, and quirky loves. For future writing, I will build these out first. I have learned an incalculable amount from finally sitting down and actually writing, and am not married to this script at all. Once it exists, it can modified to high heaven. Long response, so thank you for reading. I would be curious to know more about your work as well...if you have videos about it, great...I'll watch them. If not...might be great in the future! I'd love to watch and I am sure others would too.

[@wrestlingwithwords]

It's fascinating to hear about your character development process. Writing daily is such a great habit to cultivate creativity. As for my own process... I haven't made a video about it, but I might in the future. There is always a balance between what will people enjoy, what will people get value out of, and if I can provide any of those (or both). Sometimes I try to add a bit of my own personal process, but it's kind of sprinkled throughout all my videos haha.

[@jimmycraig221]

talking bout acting out of character and showing peter balish was... well lets just say that its STILL too soon, man.. rip to the goat

[@wrestlingwithwords]

I was hoping someone would notice that Easter egg 😅😅