Your main character will be introduced to the reader within the first 10 pages of the book. You want to make sure that he or she is worth getting to know otherwise everyone is going to end up bored, including you.

You’re going to spend hours and hours inside this fictional person’s head so she or he has to have a spark about them.

5 writing gifts to give characters

1. Your character needs layers

Everyone has a light and dark side.

2. Your character needs credible dialogue

Dull conversation sends people to sleep.

3. Your character needs a backstory

What makes them the person they are today?

4. Your character needs to be willing to change

Be unpredictable. Your reader loves surprises!

5. Your character needs you

The writer has a responsibility to create the most interesting person on the planet. No pressure.