Writing Believable Characters

When authors are writing, too often I find that the story and the plot take over so much that the characters now become a bit unrealistic. Sometimes, the lack of believability starts with the simple premise of the story. While the writing can be well done, when the characters are either partially or entirely unbelievable, the entire story is blown. Surprisingly, this is actually something that is easily prevented or fixed if it happens in the middle of writing.

Ready for the solution? 

Think like a real person.

I know this sounds strange, but it is that easy. What would a real person do in a situation like this? What would you do if you were confronted with this situation?

I discussed this with some writers during a recent workshop I taught on characterization? Consider this. You just came home from work after a busy day. Your teenage son should be home now, but isn't but you discount it quickly with the potential he is with some friends. Not an issue. You then listen to your voice mail and the first message is from the principal of the school who attempted to reach you at work (remember that busy day?) Your son has been suspended for the week due to fighting in school. 

At this point, you likely have a ton of emotions going on. Anger, frustration, a sense of being a worthless parent? The thing is that you are not likely to go rushing into his room to look for drugs. You're not going to go the kitchen and pour yourself a drink. You will probably call your son on the phone and, I am betting, have him come home to find out his side of the story. If there has never been an issue of this in the past, you are not going to go ballistic.

The same approach can be done with your characters from the start of the story. What is his or her profession? How would they likely act or behave? I bring this up especially for those of you who write suspense and crime novels. Look, the lawyer, detective, or other law enforcement person IS NOT going to get romantically involved with the client. This becomes a conflict of interest. Along the same lines, if your heroine is coming out of an abusive relationship, she is not going to be looking at a romance. 

In other words, JUST THINK. Don't just add something to the story to advance the plot. If the characters in real life would not do this, then don't add it.