How to Create Believable Characters That Feel Totally Real

Want to write characters readers care about? Learn how to create believable, memorable characters—even if you’ve never written fiction before.

Hey, it’s Reginaldo Osnildo here—
Let’s talk about the heart of every great story: the characters.

You can have an amazing plot, vivid settings, and clever twists…
But if your characters feel flat, robotic, or fake—readers will tune out.

The good news? You don’t need a psychology degree or a masterclass to write characters that feel real. You just need to understand what makes people tick—and bring that onto the page.

Let’s dive into how to create characters that live and breathe.

What Makes a Character “Believable”?

Believable characters feel like real people, not just names on a page.

They have:

  • Wants and fears
  • Strengths and flaws
  • Memories and habits
  • Contradictions (just like us!)
  • Voices that are unique to them

Readers don’t just want to read about characters. They want to feel like they know them.

5 Steps to Build a Character Readers Care About

1. Start With a Desire or Goal

Every strong character wants something—big or small.

  • To be loved
  • To escape
  • To win
  • To prove something
  • To keep a secret

This goal drives your story forward and gives your character purpose.

2. Give Them a Flaw or Fear

Perfect characters are boring. Relatable characters are flawed.

Examples:

  • A brave hero who avoids emotional vulnerability
  • A funny best friend who hides their sadness
  • A clever villain who believes they’re doing the right thing

The cracks are what make them human.

3. Ask About Their Past

Even if it doesn’t all go in the story, you should know:

  • What’s their biggest regret?
  • Who taught them their values (or broke them)?
  • What memory do they return to when they’re scared?

Their history shapes how they act in the present.

4. Give Them a Distinct Voice

Not everyone talks the same. Let your characters show their personality in how they speak.

Think about:

  • Do they use short or long sentences?
  • Are they sarcastic, poetic, blunt, formal?
  • Do they have a catchphrase or repeated phrase?

Dialogue is character development in disguise.

5. Put Them in Conflict

The best way to reveal who a character really is?
Put them in a tough situation.

  • How do they react under pressure?
  • What choice do they make when both options are bad?
  • Do their actions match their beliefs?

That’s where character becomes story.

✍️ Quick Character Exercise

Pick a character (or invent one now) and answer these:

  1. What do they want most right now?
  2. What are they afraid of losing?
  3. What lie do they tell themselves?
  4. What’s something they’d never say out loud?
  5. What’s in their pocket right now?

You’ll be amazed at how real they start to feel after this!

Bonus Tip: Characters Don’t Have to Be “Likeable”—Just Compelling

They can be messy. They can make bad choices.
As long as the reader understands them, they’ll want to follow their journey.

Empathy > Perfection.

🎁 Want Help Building Characters (and Stories) From Scratch?

If you’re excited to create characters that leap off the page—but you need a little structure to get started—this eBook is for you:

👉 The Basics of Creative Writing for Those Who Have Never Written Short Stories or Novels

Inside, you’ll get:

  • Step-by-step guidance to build authentic characters
  • Fun prompts that help you explore personality, voice, and emotion
  • A complete beginner-friendly writing system to craft your first short story
  • Encouragement to write with confidence—even if it’s your very first try

Characters are waiting to be born through your words.
Let’s bring them to life—together.

See you in the next article!

— Reginaldo Osnildo

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