Academy · Character
My character feels flat
My character feels flat. How do I fix it?
Beginner
Most flat characters are missing one of three things: a clear want they're actively pursuing, a contradiction (something true about them that doesn't fit the rest), or a private rule they refuse to break. Pick one to add. If your character "wants to find the killer," what's the version of finding-the-killer that scares them? If they're competent at everything, what's the one thing they're bad at and won't admit? Specificity makes them three-dimensional.
What to try
- Run an audit on the character's scenes
- Add a contradiction field to the entry
Related questions
- What is a contradiction in character?
- How do I show character without telling?