How to Create Fantasy Characters Readers Will Obsess Over

Whether you’re writing a brooding warrior, a mischievous fae lord, or a reluctant heroine, building a dynamic character is key to making your fantasy novel unforgettable.

I’ve written a lot of fantasy books—seven of which are published (two are free right now!). It’s why I teach writing classes and why I always recommend creating a book bible—a series of documents that tracks everything you need to know about your novel, including details on your characters. Why? Because consistency matters. There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through edits that you’ve contradicted your protagonist’s magic system three times.

So, what should you know about your fantasy characters? And what do you already know about yours? (Seriously, tell me in the comments. I love hearing about them!)

Every book is different, but here are the key things I keep in mind when crafting a fantasy character:

What is their purpose in the story? Even minor characters should feel like they are at the center of their own journey, not just there to prop up the protagonist. If a character feels like a chess piece rather than a real person, take a closer look at their motivations. What is their physical arc? What is their emotional arc? A character shouldn’t just grow stronger in magic or skill. They should evolve emotionally, too. When I was an editor, one of the biggest issues I saw was characters leveling up in power but staying stagnant in emotional depth. Growth isn’t just about magic.What is the cost to their magic? Magic without consequences is just a shortcut. Humans burn energy when they run a mile. A magic-wielder should burn something, too. What’s the price? What happens when they push too far?What guides their moral compass? What are their personal rules that they will not break…and what would it take to break them? This doesn’t mean you have to cross that line in the story, but knowing where that line is (and what tempts them) makes them more compelling.Where were they before page one? It’s important to know your characters as fully fleshed out people who had lives and goals before the story begins. 

Remember: Not everything you know as the author needs to go into the book. But knowing these details will help you write characters that feel layered and real.

An extra tip? Readers love to root for something. Even the villain should be sympathetic somewhere (even if it’s a really, really small something). Readers especially love characters who can make them laugh. (But maybe that’s another post for another day!) 

If you’re struggling to decide which details are important, share your work with critique partners. They might even ask you to add more! 

I hope this helps you create your next fantasy cast. 

What details do you include when building characters? 

I would love to hear your process! 

~SAT

P.S. My first quarterly newsletter goes out next week! I will be sharing the biggest writing tip I learned from Big Five editors last year. Subscribe here for the scoop.