How to write charming characters
With both positive and negative aspects to their personalities, charming characters can be difficult to write convincingly.
Whether you're writing a romantic love interest or a compelling con man, here are some examples for giving your charming characters depth.
Attentive listeners: they pay close attention to people around them
Take pride in their appearance
Are happy to share personal space
Speak with a strong voice and an energetic tone
Are often hospitable and give off an air of welcome
Always give the impression that they are happy to see you
Have a firm handshake and make strong eye contact
Use humour to create a fun atmosphere
Communicate physically (through touch and gesture)
Make a point of using a person's name
Describe their body language
Have a relaxed stance with a straight and confident posture
Mirroring: they will mirror the body language of the person they are interacting with
Will lean forward to show attention
Lightly touch to create connection
A slight head tilt to show interest
Rarely cross their arms or legs
Opinionated and confident
Exhude an impression of honesty
The positive aspects of charm
Charming characters put people at ease, praise them freely, and boost their confidence. They make friends easily, talk their way to favourable resolutions, and are often the centre of attention.
They have impeccable grooming, conveying trustworthiness and concern for others, leading to a sense that they have your best interests at heart.
The negative aspects of charm
A charming character can manipulate others for personal gain. They can be overbearing, exerting their will on less confident individuals.
Their charm often draws focus, making others feel inferior, making them perfect for a protagonist to exhibit personal growth, or for a villain that a reader will fall in love with.
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