You’ve probably heard it before — readers come for the plot but stay for the characters. Whether you’re crafting an epic fantasy saga or a cozy slice-of-life story, how to write strong characters is one of the most essential skills you can develop as a writer.
But what exactly makes a character “strong”? Is it about physical power? Big, brave moments? Snappy dialogue? The truth is: it’s not about any one thing. Strong characters are layered, flawed, and compelling — they make us feel something real.
Let’s explore how to write strong characters that truly connect with readers, the kind who live rent-free in our heads long after the last page.
Table of content:
- Understand What “Strong” Really Means
- Start With Internal Conflict, Not Just Traits
- Let Their Voice Tell Their Story
- In My Own Experience, I Found That…
- Actions Speak Louder Than Descriptions
- Show Growth, Even if It’s Subtle
- Keep the Backstory Hidden (Mostly)
- FAQs: Quick Answers for Fellow Writers
- Final Thoughts
Understand What “Strong” Really Means
When we say “strong character,” we’re not talking about someone who wins every fight or saves the day with zero effort. We’re talking about characters with depth — people who make tough choices, wrestle with inner demons, and grow through their experiences.
Think of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. She’s not wielding a sword, but she’s strong in her convictions, witty in conversation, and honest about her own biases (eventually). Or Katniss Everdeen, who is physically capable but also emotionally complex — she’s vulnerable, traumatized, and not always sure she wants to be the face of a rebellion.
In short: strong characters feel real. Character’s flaws and imperfections makes them powerful.
Start With Internal Conflict, Not Just Traits
It’s easy to list out qualities: smart, brave, loyal, sarcastic. But those are just surface details. If you want to understand how to write strong characters, dig into their internal conflict.
What do they fear the most? What belief are they clinging to that might be holding them back? What wounds from their past shape how they behave now?
Great characters want something — love, freedom, redemption — and something is getting in the way. That “something” could be an external force, but it’s often internal too. A character afraid of intimacy might push people away, even though all they want is connection.
Real people are complicated. Your characters should be too.
Let Their Voice Tell Their Story
A huge part of writing strong characters is letting them speak. That doesn’t mean just giving them lines of dialogue — it’s about voice. How do they think? What words do they use? How does their personality show up in narration or conversations?
For example, in The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s voice is unforgettable. He’s cynical, funny, insecure, and deeply lonely — and you feel all of that in the way he narrates his story.
You can learn a lot about how to write strong characters just by paying attention to voice. Write short scenes from their perspective, even if those scenes never appear in your novel. Listen to how they see the world. It’ll tell you everything you need to know.
In My Own Experience, I Found That…
…when I tried to write “perfect” characters, the story always fell flat. They had all the right qualities — brave, clever, good-hearted — but something was missing. It wasn’t until I let them be selfish, scared, even wrong sometimes, that they started to come alive on the page.
One of my favorite writing moments happened when a beta reader messaged me saying, “I hated your character at first, but then I cried with her by the end.” That’s when I realized: strength isn’t about being likable. It’s about being human.
So if you ever feel stuck, try letting your characters be messy. That’s often where the magic begins.
Actions Speak Louder Than Descriptions
It’s tempting to tell your readers everything about a character: “She was fiercely loyal.” “He was the smartest person in the room.” But those lines don’t make characters strong — actions do.
If a character is loyal, show them choosing their friend over a promotion. If they’re brave, show them speaking up when it costs them something.
In The Hunger Games, we know Katniss is protective not because the book tells us, but because she volunteers to take her sister’s place. That single action speaks volumes.
This is a crucial part of how to write strong characters. Let their choices — especially hard ones — define who they are.
Show Growth, Even if It’s Subtle
Strong characters don’t have to do a complete 180 by the end of your story, but they should learn something. They should shift, even just a little. That character arc makes their journey satisfying.
Think of Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He starts as a villain, but over time, we see his struggle, his change in beliefs, and his redemption. His transformation feels earned — and that’s why it resonates.
You don’t have to plan a huge “hero’s journey” for every character, but do ask: how does this person change from beginning to end? What do they understand now that they didn’t before?
Keep the Backstory Hidden (Mostly)
We all love a good tragic backstory, but here’s the thing: you don’t need to dump it all at once. A well-written character’s past reveals itself slowly — through their fears, flashbacks, or the choices they make.
Severus Snape in Harry Potter is a great example. For most of the series, he’s mysterious and frustrating. Only later do we learn what drives him — and suddenly, his entire character makes sense.
When you’re learning how to write strong characters, remember that readers enjoy putting the puzzle together. Trust them to figure it out as the story unfolds.
FAQs: Quick Answers for Fellow Writers
Q1: What makes a character “strong” in writing?
A strong character has depth, inner conflict, and growth. They feel real and evoke emotion — even if they’re flawed or unlikeable.
Q2: Can a character be strong without being brave or heroic?
Absolutely. Strength comes in many forms: emotional resilience, quiet determination, even vulnerability.
Q3: How much backstory should I include?
Only as much as the reader needs to understand motivations or current behavior. Hint at the past; don’t unload it all at once.
Q4: Should all main characters have a full arc?
Not necessarily, but some level of internal change — even a small one — usually makes for a more satisfying read.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to write strong characters isn’t about following a rigid formula. It’s about observing real people, embracing imperfections, and writing from a place of curiosity and compassion.
You don’t need to have all the answers when you start. Just listen to your characters. Let them surprise you. And trust that if you feel something while writing them — your readers will too.
Happy writing, and may your next character stay with readers long after “The End.”
