Homura from Madoka Magica appears antagonistic before viewers get to know her.
Should Your Character Be Mysterious or Relatable?
Only one of these character types should have a POV.
Latest in Likability
Q&A: How Do I Reveal That My Movie Hero Is Really a Villain?
Submitted by Sophia González,
answered
How to Make Your Character Novel
Novelty isn't easy, but it's the quickest way to make an impression.
How to Make Your Character Selfless
It requires more than showing your hero rescuing a cat from a tree.
How to Make Your Character Sympathetic
A character with genuine hardships will get audiences emotionally invested in the story.
Episode 376: Character Strengths
What if a character was just nice and dependable?
The Best Characters Eat Their Spinach — and Their Candy
This silly-sounding spectrum has a huge impact on how we respond to characters.
How to Create an Unhappy Ending
In a truly tragic story, the hero fails because they made the wrong choice.
How to Keep Your Favorite Character From Ruining Your Story
The first step to fixing a candied character is recognizing them.
Episode 344: Jerkass Characters
Oh boy do writers love to get this wrong.
Q&A: How Do I Portray an Ambitious Character?
Submitted by Thomas,
answered
Q&A: Can Audiences Sympathize With My Honorable Character?
Submitted by Dave L,
answered
Do Characters Need to Be Likable?
It's complicated, but yes.
Five Ways to Make a Selfish Character Likable
Creating a selfish main character is tricky but not impossible.
How to Get Readers to Feel Those Emotional Twists
Every bit of triumph or heartache has to be built up by the storyteller.
Nine Jerkass Traits That Aren’t Toxic or Abusive
Characters can be grating without being abusive.
Seven Ways Jokes Can Sabotage Your Story
Many storytellers have sacrificed their stories on the altar of comedy.
Seven Common Reasons Protagonists Are Unlikable
Audiences won't get far in your story if they can't stand your main character.
James