Creating Characters Readers Remember

Plots get readers turning pages, but characters are what make them fall in love with a book. When people recommend a novel to their friends, they don’t usually talk about the twists first — they talk about the people. The characters who made them laugh, cry, ache, or feel seen.

So how do you create characters that stay with readers long after the final sentence?

Give Them Something They Want

Every memorable character has a goal, whether it’s external (a new career, a relationship, a fresh start) or internal (healing, forgiveness, courage). Desire drives action, and action drives story.

Let Their Flaws Matter

Perfect characters aren’t relatable. Readers connect to stubbornness, insecurity, mistakes, and longing — not flawless execution. A great character wants something desperately, but something inside them gets in the way.

Build History, Even If It Stays Off the Page

Backstory shapes identity. You don’t need to explain every detail to the reader, but you should know what shaped your characters. A single memory or formative moment can explain everything about how a character loves, fights, reacts, and fears.

Let Them Grow

The journey matters. Memorable characters change — even subtly — over the course of a story. They end in a different emotional place than they began. When readers witness that growth, the character feels real.

At Astralumen Press, we believe unforgettable stories start with unforgettable characters — because the best books aren’t just read, they’re felt.