Writing Complex Characters
If you’re looking to create complex, unique, relatable characters... consider making them walking contradictions.
What is a walking contradiction? It’s a character who’s personality conflicts on itself. As humans, we all have contrasts in our personalities as a result of our upbringing and life events. When a character has opposite traits within their personality it can create juicy conflict/plot.
She’s attractive but has lost confidence in her looks = she might settle for less than she deserves.
He’s heartbroken but still believes in love = he might put his heart on his shoulder and gets used.
He’s is the most popular boy at school, yet feels extremely lonely = he could befriend the quiet kid.
She’s indecisive, yet impulsive = makes a bad choice without thinking.
She loves watching the travel channel but has never left her small town.
Here are some examples of complex characters that are written as walking contradictions in literature:
Harry Potter — rumored to be the most powerful wizard, yet his story starts in a cupboard under the staircase.
Edward Cullen — a deadly monster who falls in love with a delicate human whose blood is his weakness.
Hannibal Lecter — a respected psychiatrist who is well-mannered on the outside, but is a serial killer who murders rude people. He taunts Clarice, but then also protects her.
Inej Ghafa — a highly skilled assassin who doesn’t kill due to her religious beliefs.
Frodo — a small hobbit with no qualifications, who is tasked with saving middle-earth.
Hamlet — cares for Ophelia, yet breaks her heart. Loves his mother, but hates her for marrying the king.
Blu — a bird who doesn’t know how to fly.
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[Source] [Plot Perfect by Paula Munier]
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