Did you know there are different types of characters? I mean, in addition to the typical “protagonist” and “antagonist.”
Each and every character you create is important. It doesn’t matter if they’re a minor character, a main character, or secondary. Each and every one of them has a job to do and they need to do it well. There are a lot of types, but here are the 9 types of characters in fiction.
1. Confidante Character
A confidante is someone or something the main character confides in. Readers can learn a lot about the main character’s personality and thoughts through this. The confidante can be another character or it can be the inside pages of the main character’s diary.
2. Dynamic or Developing Character
A dynamic character is someone who changes throughout the story. This may be a good change or a bad one, but their motivations, desires, or even their personality changes due to something in the story. This is usually a permanent change and shows how the character has learned and developed over time in the story.
3. Flat or Static Character
A flat character is the opposite of a dynamic character. A flat character doesn’t change much or at all throughout the story. Their personality and/or background isn’t revealed well and we only know a handful of traits about them.
4. Foil Character
A foil character is someone who is the opposite of another character. They reflect the opposite traits, hence a foil character. Your main character can be sweet and caring and the foil character will bring out that side by being nasty. It contrasts two characters.
5. Round Character
A round character is similar to a dynamic character. They change throughout the story gaining new traits, some traits opposite to who they used to be.
6. Stock Character
A stock character is just stock photos you can get off the internet. They are not a big deal to the story, they don’t change at all, they’re pretty much cliche characters such as the “dumb jock” or “popular cheerleader.”
7. Protagonist or Main Character
Main characters are the root of the story. They will develop over time and will ultimately be part of the driving force of the plot. This is the character your readers will care most about.
8. Antagonist
An antagonist is the opposite of your protagonist. They will oppose your main character. They will, along with the main character, be the driving force behind the plot.
9. Villain
A villain is similar to the antagonist, but they are evil. As described in Sacha Black’s 13 Steps To Evil: How To Craft Superbad Villains, they have evil actions and motives that drive the plot.
What kinds of characters have you created? Are there any other character types you know about? Let me know in the comments below and if you enjoyed this post, please share it around!
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