An author’s experience with other humans gives them a bank of traits to draw from when they develop their characters. People we encounter when at work or school, while running errands, and even our family confirms that everyone is different. The guys who work at the ranch where I board my horse work hard. They’re friendly, calm, helpful, and knowledgeable about horses and how to fix all the stuff that breaks.
Each student I work with approaches math differently. The longer I work with them, the more positive change I see. Some are fearful. Others struggle to work around their dislike for the subject. A few battle against how their brain processes information. I learn what they can do, and where their challenges are. How they work and learn and engage during the session gives me a peek into their character.
I’ve read lots of books. Despite what an author guru believes about what society is looking for regarding heroes (and how it has changed over the decades), I find I’m steady in what I like. On occasion, I’ve come across a character in a story who doesn’t change. Life happens to the character, yet they refuse to change their perspective or behavior. There are people who live their lives this way. I’m not saying it’s wrong. I prefer to read about characters who choose a different way to interact with the world, one that brings them what they want (the hero/heroine is usually looking for peace or happiness, though there are lots of ways they find that feeling).
The idea is that if we find something in a character that is like us, we’ll want to glean ideas and courage from the story to change our own lives. But if the character feels flat (they don’t have depth; the reader doesn’t see the emotions or understand the choices), then the reader has trouble identifying with the character, cheering for them, and having the emotional response they want, which is why they’re reading the story. If authors create believable characters, with traits that readers can relate to (and like), then readers can have a satisfying experience.
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