13 ways to create compelling characters

1. Make the character exceptional at something.

Give your character a trait or skill that makes him or her admirable in some way.

It doesn't have to be anything over-the-top. Maybe she's an average Jane who works as an office manager…but she's also an amazing cook. Maybe he's a rebellious teenager…who's also unusually perceptive.

As soon as that character is really good at something, the reader perks up. The reader gets interested.

2. Make the character care about someone other than...