How to Create Charismatic Characters — Part 3: The Character Depth Spectrum

In part 1 of this series on creating characters, we discussed assigning physical attributes to characters. In part 2, we discussed the importance of identifying our character’s objects of desire. In this this article, we’re going to look at what I call “the character depth spectrum.”

All characters exist on a spectrum of depth or complexity. On one end of the spectrum are fully realized, well-round, three dimensional characters. On the other end are flat, stock characters, and character archetypes.

Archetypes are patterns of behavior or models for characters that reoccur throughout various stories and throughout history. Archetypical characters have an established set of behaviors and usually play specific roles in stories, mentor, shape shifter, or shadow. As such, the behavior of archetypical characters is largely predictable, based on previous examples reader has come across.

For an easy understanding of archetypical characters, we can look to superheroes. We know Superman and Batman are going to try to do the right thing. Their actions are, for the most part, predictable. While modern writers have tried to add complexity and shades of grey to these characters, they remain, at their core, heroes. As readers, we know that, when it comes down to the wire, super heroes are always going to be willing to sacrifice themselves to help others. They have the courage, bravery, and commitment to purpose a more realistic character would have difficulty embodying.

Some people call these archetypical characters flat or unrealistic when compared to more well-rounded characters, and they are correct in doing so. Where they go wrong is when they use this observation in a derogatory manner, as though well rounded characters are always better than archetypes in all situations. Personally, I think Superman is a pretty great character, even though he’s not necessarily “well rounded” or “deep”.

Certain types of characters work better in certain types of stories. Dropping “flat” Superman into literary drama like Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway probably wouldn’t be all that interesting because Superman’s internal world isn’t nearly as rich as Clarissa Dalloway’s inner world. At the same time, trying to drop well-rounded Mrs. Dalloway into the middle of a superhero battle also wouldn’t work because she doesn’t have the sort external drive required for an action story.

Archetypes are particularly useful for comedic stories and for moments of levity in dramatic narratives. The television series Seinfeld featured the beloved character Cosmo Kramer, an archetypical wacky next door neighbour. As viewers, we want Kramer to always be wacky, not suddenly plumbing the depths of his soul with deep philosophical pondering. Flat characters, like Kramer and Superman, can be useful for authors and enjoyable for readers

They are differentiated from the characters on the other end of our spectrum, the more well-rounded characters with emotional depth and layers to their personality. These are the characters who have a rich inner world of thought and feeling, and who demonstrate multiple dimensions to their personality.

Unless writing comedy, we usually want our protagonists to be well rounded characters when drafting a novel length story. This can often be best achieved by weaving contradiction into our characters’ personalities. One might think a well-defined character is someone with clear defining traits, but if we look at someone like Hamlet, for example, we see a character filled with contradictions. Is he sane or insane? Is he a procrastinator or does he act spontaneously? Does he love Ophelia or does he not love her? As Professor James Hynes points out in his excellent audio course Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques, Hamlet feels real specifically because he’s inconsistent.

Contradiction and inconsistency of character largely defines us as human beings, which is why it’s one of the defining traits of a well-rounded character. Unlike an archetype like Superman, we don’t always know what well rounded characters are going to do. They may not always take the correct action or make the best decision.

As you can see, the character depth spectrum provides opportunities for authors to make strategic decisions about the types of characters they are crafting based on the type (genre) of story they are telling.

In part 4 of this series, we’ll examine an interesting example of how flat and well-rounded characters are used effectively in two young adult action franchises: Twilight and The Hunger Games.