Creating a Character - Ask "Why?" and "How?" of Everything

Creating a character's backstory.

We are a product of our collective experiences and history, and the same is true of fictional characters. At least, it should be true if one is to create a character with great depth or serious backstory. For many, this can become the most difficult part of creating a character. It can be easy to feel bogged down with details that much of your story may not even touch upon; despite this, it is important to have a clear and detailed concept of your character and what made them who they are.

The advantage this grants you in storytelling is that you no longer need to begin their story with yours but instead simply continue their story at the most relevant point. This creates a more natural flow for their story, making it easier to keep their actions in-character and logical. Of course, this still relies upon the writer to maintain a coherent character and narrative throughout the story, but it can be a good way to start off on the right foot!

Now how should you set about doing this?