
If a character feels flat (and you don’t want them to be the Bond type), turn to goal, motivation and conflict.
Turn to GMC to make static characters dynamic. In a series with flat main characters, change often comes from new locations, interesting walk-ons – for example, memorable villains and their hairless cats. Give flat series characters dynamic experiences. To write more dynamic, three-dimensional protagonists, think of subtle or overt ways their personality or attitudes might change. Change personality and attitude for dynamic arcs. Give characters a reason to be flat (for example, often a killer-for-hire is portrayed as having some brutalizing trauma in their past). Work why characters are flat into your story. This comes from the phrase meaning to back a gem in jewelry with a foil, metal that makes the gem shine more brightly. Use static foil characters for contrastsĪ character who enhances another through their contrasts is known as a ‘foil’.
Play different character types off one anotherįor example, in comedies the eccentric protagonist often is accompanied by a more straight-laced companion. Which character types in your genre tend to be dynamic characters, and which tend to be static?
Know character types common to your genre.Seven tips to use dynamic characters and static character types well in your story: