This might seem impossible. After all, humans in real life are quite similar at times. I’ve met complete strangers who had identical mannerisms and beliefs as my family members and friends. And over time, I have adopted behaviours from the people around me.

Humans are similar. But we are also unique.

No two people are completely alike. No two characters are completely alike. They just have similar archetypes.

What are archetypes? Archetypes are recurring traits that embody specific qualities. In simpler words, archetypes are the maps each individual uses to navigate the world; to make decisions, set goals and pursue motivations. A window through which a person sees the world.

In fact, the word “archetype” comes from the Greek word “archetypos” meaning “original pattern.”

To write a successful novel, writers need to understand archetypes and how to manipulate them.

How to use archetypes when giving your characters personality

Now, if you type the word “archetypes” into the Google search bar, things like “the 12 archetypes” and “Jungian archetypes” will definitely pop up. Do you need to dive into research mode and get an unofficial degree in psychology before you can apply archetypes to your writing?

No.

Here’s what you need to do.

Decide if your main character is the hero or the villain.

List the traits readers expect to see when they think of your protagonist. For example, if your protagonist is a hero, your readers might expect to see an extroverted, bold, and optimistic individual. If your main character is the villain, readers might expect to see a broody, selfish, criminal mastermind.

Think of ways you can subvert these stereotypes.

We all know the Joker to be evil and violently ruthless. Yet, we can’t help feeling…sad when we think of Arthur Fleck because, at the end of the movie, we begin to see them as two very different personas. At the end of the movie, you can’t help but wonder: what if?

What if his adopted mother wasn’t an abusive narcissist?

What if he wasn’t given that gun?

What if the budget cuts never happened and he got the medication he so desperately needed?

What if his relationship with Sophie was real?

The Joker excellently subverts the villain archetype. The evil for evil’s sake narrative.

What if your main character is a hero?

Well, consider Yoshiki Tanaka’s Legend of the Galactic Heroes. This ten-book series focuses on a period in the far future when humans have colonised and terraformed the galaxies. Despite the advances in technology, however, some things remain the same.

War, for example, is the predominant theme of this story. In the very first chapter, we are quickly introduced to a century-long intergalactic conflict. Our main characters are on opposing sides of the war and from the onset, it is impossible to pick a side.

Our “hero”, Yang Wen-li is an admiral of the Free Planets Alliance and despite his great achievements in the war, Yang’s greatest desire is to retire. Yang, a man of superior intellect and intuition, wants only to study history and watch it pass him by. Not make it.

This is an excellent subversion of the hero archetype. Yang is motivated by a desire to do good. He repeatedly protects his subordinates and encourages them. Still, he is introverted, and lazy and submits a resignation letter as often as possible.

My dear reluctant hero.

What not to do when using character archetypes

Clichés.

Archetypes are nothing more than a framework. A useful one, yes, but still a framework. Relying too heavily on them without adding unique elements can result in run-of-the-mill characters.

Use archetypes as a starting point, then add layers of complexity to make characters more interesting and unpredictable. Set your character apart and make them unique.

Summary

Get the archetype (the broad classification your character falls into). Get the stereotype. Subvert the stereotype. Make your character unique.

For you to craft memorable physical traits, you must keenly observe the character in your mind’s eye. Study the character profile created in the last step until you have a good idea of what your character looks like.

Use specific and evocative language to paint a clear picture. Instead of merely stating eye colour or hair length, go deeper.

She had fiery red eyes. Her eyes were a furnace and as she held my gaze, I felt my soul ignite.

She smiled cunningly. She smiled like she knew all my secrets.

Her hair was tied down in a humble ponytail. Her hair lay flat on her scalp, as defeated and submissive as the rest of her.

Describe the intensity of their gaze and the way their hair falls and connect it with their personality. Use metaphors and similes to connect the reader emotionally to the character. Sound, touch, smell and taste can also enhance the description; don’t rely on sight alone.

What not to do when writing descriptively

Avoid generic or clichéd descriptions. Try to be as original and specific as you can while ensuring your reader understands you.

Don’t over-describe your characters. Descriptive and evocative writing is best used during impactful scenes.

Summary

Use sensory details to create a vivid image. Engage the reader's senses beyond sight – touch, smell, and sound can enhance the description.

Don’t settle for generic descriptors. Instead of “he had grey eyes,” consider “his eyes, the colour of stormy clouds, held a quiet intensity.”

It is, therefore, very important to get the character right.

The process of creating characters and developing characters in a story cannot be underestimated. A writer must understand the importance of characters and recognise their role in shaping the reader’s experience and the overall success of a story.

How to do this

The first step in emphasising the significance of characters is recognising that readers form emotional bonds with the characters NOT the plot. No reader on earth bonds with your plot. They may like your plot, your world-building, your pacing, your writing craft, and your humour. But characters are the vessel, the emotional core, through which readers appreciate your work.

The second step is to analyse well-established characters in literature and note what made them so memorable. For example, Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird” was so instrumental to the story that some people believed Harper Lee considered naming the novel “Atticus.” His character was not just a tool to push the plot forward; Atticus embodied the themes and values of the story.

Consider how you can do this in your story. What are the themes of your story? Does your main character embody this theme? Does the reader see the evolution of the story through the evolution of your character?

Another example of the Importance of Writing Good Characters

My Hero Academia is another great example of this. 

The protagonist, Deku, is optimistic and jovial. In a world where “quirks”, or superpowers, are an integral part of an individual’s biology and the functioning of society as a whole, he is "quirkless." An aberration. Despite this, he remains hopeful and strives to become a superhero.

From the onset, it is obvious that Deku is a reflection of his society.

Superheroes make the world safer and their presence serves as examples for kids to look up to and for adults to emulate. Shining beacons for people to gaze upon and cherish. Yet, blemishes remain in the form of villains who use their powers for selfish purposes. Battles between villains and superheroes attract crowds and are televised. And when the heroes win (as they often do), the crowd is elated. Good triumphs over evil, once more.

So society doesn’t crumble at the threat of these superpowered villains. The presence of the all-powerful number one hero, All Might, further buttresses this hope. Society remains confident and widely optimistic. 

Just like Deku.

But when All Might is injured in a public fight with the number one villain, and has to retire, there is a noticeable dent in society’s faith in the heroes.

This crack is further widened when the number two hero, who steps up in All Might’s absence is found lacking. In strength and in character. Prison breaks, riots, protests and vigilantism become the order of the day.

Deku, who received All Might’s powers, isn’t yet strong enough to face humanity’s greatest threat. And just like the world around him, he becomes withdrawn, tense and grim.

I could go on and on about My Hero Academia and how the themes of the story mirrored the development of the main character.

In fact, Deku’s powers are another way in which the story’s themes are reflected in the character development. His powers are special. They have been passed down from generation to generation, accumulating with every generation. For Deku to gain mastery over them, he is assisted by visions of the previous generations and by studying his classmates and peers.

For Deku to gain strength, he has to rely on others, threading together their tutelage and experience. Something his predecessor never had to do. Time and time again, we see that the idea of a singular, all-powerful hero is fading away, and the image of collaboration and collective strength is taking its place.

There are numerous examples of this throughout the show and despite its initial lightheartedness, it gives you food for thought. As a casual watcher and as a writer.

View your characters as champions of your story. Make their faults the faults of society. Make their strengths the strengths of society. And watch your story flourish.

Summary

Do not underestimate the power of characters in your story. Elaborate plots, with far-reaching, intertwining storylines can be engaging, yes. But it is the characters’ experience, emotions and growth that truly captivate readers.

Do not neglect character development, no matter how plot-heavy your story might be.