The Writer's Craft: Modern Insights | Characters | Chapter 10

The Writer's Craft: Modern Insights

(Characters)

By Olivia Salter

CHAPTER 10

PORTRAYAL OF CHARACTER IN FICTION WRITING

Characterization is at the heart of any great work of fiction. Characters drive the plot, embody the themes, and form the emotional core of a story. The way a writer portrays a character can transform the reader's understanding of the narrative and anchor them in the world of the story. Here’s how various elements and modes of characterization function in fiction writing:

The Three Modes of Characterization

1. Dialogue

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools for revealing character. The way a character speaks—tone, word choice, rhythm, and subject matter—can instantly convey aspects of their personality, background, and motivations. Through dialogue, a writer can subtly indicate social status, education, emotional state, or internal conflict. In fiction, dialogue does more than relay information; it reveals the soul of the character.

2. Action

What a character does is just as important, if not more so, than what they say. Actions often speak louder than words and are a direct window into the character’s personality. How a character responds to situations, how they treat others, and the choices they make reveal their true nature. Whether it’s a grand, decisive action or a small, telling gesture, action in fiction builds a character’s integrity over the course of a story.

3. Description or Direct Statement

Sometimes, the author or narrator directly describes the character. This can involve physical appearance, personality traits, or background information. Direct characterization tells the reader what to think or know about a character, though it is most effective when paired with indirect methods like dialogue and action. For example, describing a character’s rugged features and worn clothes can instantly position them as someone who’s lived a hard life, before they even speak a word.

Aims of Characterization

1. To Show the Nature of the Character

The ultimate aim of characterization is to reveal a character’s inner nature—what drives them, what they fear, what they love. A well-portrayed character feels multi-dimensional, with complexities that may not always be immediately visible. Fiction aims to gradually uncover these layers, making the character’s growth and change over the course of the story feel real and meaningful.

2. To Show the Character as a Physical Being

A character’s physical presence should never be overlooked. Physicality helps readers visualize and connect with characters on a visceral level. Descriptions of posture, movement, and physical traits can tell the reader a lot about the character's state of mind or social position. For instance, a character who consistently slouches may convey insecurity, while one who holds their head high could suggest confidence or arrogance.

Character and Plot

Plot and character are intertwined. A story’s plot unfolds because of the decisions and actions taken by its characters. As the characters evolve, so too does the plot. Conversely, the events of the plot should push characters to their limits, revealing new facets of their personality and driving their development. In this sense, plot is the stage upon which character is revealed, and character, in turn, propels the plot forward.

Characterization by Speech

When a character speaks, everything from their dialect and word choice to the rhythm of their sentences can reflect their background, education, and personality. A character who speaks in short, blunt sentences may be to the point and action-oriented, while another who uses long, flowing dialogue could suggest someone more introspective or intellectual. Through speech patterns, a writer can reveal not only who a character is, but how they perceive the world and their place in it.

Characterization by Statement

This involves direct statements made by either the narrator or other characters about a particular character. These can provide the reader with clear information about the character’s traits, relationships, or past. For example, a character might be described as "reckless" or "kind-hearted." While these statements offer quick insight, they should ideally be reinforced through dialogue, action, or indirect cues, ensuring that the character's traits feel earned rather than simply told.

Characterization by Action

Actions are one of the most effective ways to reveal character. A character's actions, whether bold or subtle, define who they are to the reader. How a character responds in moments of crisis, how they treat those around them, or even how they perform mundane tasks provides insight into their deeper motivations and personality. Fiction often relies on these moments of action to move beyond mere description and to show, rather than tell, who the character truly is.

For example, a character might claim they are compassionate, but it’s in their actions—offering help to a struggling stranger, or going out of their way to comfort a friend in need—that their compassion becomes truly apparent. Similarly, a character’s inner conflict may be brought to life through a sequence of indecisive or contradictory actions.

Characterization as a Creative Process

Portraying characters is as much about creating depth and complexity as it is about maintaining consistency and believability. The process is an intricate blend of direct and indirect methods, where every word spoken, every action taken, and every description of appearance or thought contributes to a fuller picture of the character. Writers can breathe life into their characters by blending these techniques, ensuring that readers become invested in their journey, growth, and ultimate fate.

The portrayal of character in fiction is an art, requiring the careful interplay of speech, action, and description to reveal a person who feels real. Through mastering the three modes of characterization and understanding how speech, actions, and direct statements work together, writers can create characters that leave a lasting impact on their readers.