Characters aren’t real people

They’re distilled, heightened, and designed for impact.

In real life, people are messy, inconsistent, and full of contradictions.

But in fiction, characters need focus. They aren’t replicas of real people. 

They’re refined versions of them.

A great character is like strong coffee: concentrated, bold, and unforgettable. Their wants and desires are sharper, their flaws deeper, their choices more meaningful. They don’t engage in small talk because every word they say reveals something important.

If your character feels flat, ask yourself: What do they want? What stops them from getting it?

The sharper the conflict, the stronger the character.

Readers don’t remember generic characters. They remember characters who felt like real people because they were crafted with purpose.