How to Create a Relatable Character in Storytelling

Creating a relatable character is a cornerstone of compelling storytelling. When characters resonate with audiences, they become more invested in the narrative, making the story memorable and impactful. Whether you're crafting a novel, a screenplay, or a short video, understanding how to develop characters that your audience can relate to is crucial.

In this article, we’ll delve into the techniques and strategies necessary to create characters that are not only believable but also evoke empathy and emotional connection. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with actionable insights to enhance your storytelling prowess.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Relatability
• Crafting Character Backstories
• Developing Character Traits
• Creating Emotional Arcs
• Incorporating Flaws and Strengths
• Using Dialogue Effectively
• Examples of Relatable Characters
• Common Mistakes
• Next Steps
• FAQs

Understanding Relatability

At its core, relatability means that the audience can see parts of themselves in the characters. This connection often stems from shared experiences, emotions, or values. Relatable characters are not perfect; they have flaws, desires, and conflicts that mirror real life.

Key Elements of Relatability

1. Emotional Depth: Characters should express a range of emotions that reflect genuine human experiences.
2. Realistic Motivations: Characters need clear, believable motivations that drive their actions and decisions.
3. Growth and Change: Witnessing a character's transformation can resonate deeply with audiences.

Crafting Character Backstories

A well-developed backstory adds layers to a character, providing context for their behavior and decisions. Consider the following when crafting a backstory:

• History and Environment: Where does your character come from? How have their surroundings shaped them?
• Key Life Events: Identify pivotal moments that have significantly impacted your character’s life.
• Family and Relationships: Relationships can form the basis for a character’s motivations and conflicts.

Developing Character Traits

Traits define a character’s personality and influence how they interact with the world. Balance positive traits with negative ones to create depth.

Checklist for Character Traits

• Physical Traits: What do they look like, and how does this affect their interactions?
• Personality Traits: Are they introverted, extroverted, optimistic, or cynical?
• Quirks and Habits: Unique behaviors that make them memorable.

Creating Emotional Arcs

An emotional arc is the journey a character goes through emotionally throughout the story. It’s essential for character development and audience engagement.

• Identify Starting Emotional State: How does your character feel at the beginning?
• Define Key Turning Points: What events challenge or change their emotional state?
• Resolve Emotional Journey: Where do they end up emotionally by the story’s conclusion?

Incorporating Flaws and Strengths

Characters need a mix of flaws and strengths to be well-rounded and believable.

• Flaws: What are their weaknesses or vulnerabilities?
• Strengths: What abilities or qualities do they possess?

Using Dialogue Effectively

Dialogue can reveal much about a character’s personality, background, and motivations.

• Voice and Tone: How do they speak? Is it formal, casual, or filled with slang?
• Subtext: What’s being implied beyond the words spoken?

Examples of Relatable Characters

Examining well-known characters can provide insights into what makes a character relatable.

• Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series): A regular boy with insecurities and strengths.
• Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice): Independent yet flawed.
• Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games): Strong, yet vulnerable and relatable due to her love for family.

Common Mistakes

1. Overemphasizing Perfection: Perfect characters are unrelatable and can alienate audiences.
2. Ignoring Character Growth: Characters that don't evolve can seem static and dull.
3. Lack of Motivation: Without clear motivations, characters seem unbelievable.
4. Unrealistic Dialogue: Dialogue that doesn’t fit the character’s personality can break immersion.
5. Neglecting Flaws: Characters need flaws to be believable and relatable.
6. Forgetting Emotional Depth: Characters without emotional depth fail to engage audiences.
7. Overloading Backstory: Too much backstory can overwhelm and detract from the main narrative.

Next Steps

To further refine your storytelling skills, explore our articles on character arcs and building strong narratives. These resources will provide additional insights to enhance your creative strategy.

FAQs

1. How do I research trends in a specific niche?

• Use tools like Google Trends, social media platforms, and industry reports to identify emerging trends.

1. Where do I find viral videos for inspiration?

• Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have trending sections where you can find viral content.

1. Should I copy viral videos or create something original?

• While it’s beneficial to take inspiration, always aim to add your unique twist to the content.

1. How do I adapt trends to fit a brand?

• Understand your brand’s voice and values, then align trends creatively to maintain authenticity.

1. What platforms should I research (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)?

• All three are crucial for different types of content and audiences. Tailor your research based on your target demographic.

1. How do I know what's trending right now?

• Use social media analytics tools, hashtags, and dedicated trend reports to stay updated.

1. Should I use trending sounds in UGC?

• Trending sounds can enhance engagement, but ensure they fit your content’s context.

1. How do I find competitor content?

• Analyze competitors’ social media, video channels, and websites to gauge their content strategy.

1. Should I analyze what competitors are doing?

• Yes, it provides insights into successful strategies and potential gaps in the market.

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1. How do I stay updated on marketing strategies?

• Follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and network with professionals to keep abreast of new strategies.

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1. How do I tell a story in 30 seconds?

• Focus on a clear, concise narrative arc with a strong emotional hook.

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1. What's the story structure for UGC?

• Start with a hook, present a conflict or problem, and end with a resolution or call to action.

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1. Should I make myself the main character?

• If it aligns with the narrative and adds authenticity, making yourself the main character can be effective.

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1. What's the emotional core of a UGC video?

• The emotional core should resonate with common human experiences and values.

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1. How do I evoke emotion in my content?

• Use relatable scenarios, empathetic characters, and compelling narratives to evoke emotions.

Internal Links

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• [{"slug": "building-strong-narratives", "title": "Building Strong Narratives"}]

Related reading

• 30 Second Storytelling: UGC Creator's Guide
• Main Character UGC Content: Tell Better Brand Stories
• Adapt Style for Different Audiences: Cultural Guide
• UGC Storytelling Tone: Humor vs. Serious Guide
• Identify Script Problems: Steps for Creators