One of the most important aspects of storytelling–at least in my opinion–is character development. In every book that I have enjoyed, it has been the plot that drew me, but the characters that made me stay. So that leads me to ask, “Baxter, how do you create characters that feel real and stay in readers’ minds long after they turn the last page?”
Here are a few things I’ve learned while writing The Boy Band Saga.
♬ Give them depth, not just traits
Sydney Walsh isn’t just “strong” or “resilient.” She’s a woman who has faced deep loss, adapted to life’s challenges, and carries both scars because of the past. A great character isn’t defined by one trait–they’re a mix of contradictions, emotions, and experiences. Just like the people we meet in daily life.
♬ Let them evolve
A character at the beginning of a story should be different by the end–not always in drastic ways, but in ways that feel learned. Joshua Damian’s journey isn’t just about fame; it’s about learning what matters most, about finding his footing when the world around him shifts. Growth and adaptation make characters feel alive.
♬ Flaws make them relatable
When I began writing back in elementary school, I thought my characters had to be perfect–beautiful, smart, kind, rich, patient… They had to be everything that I was not. But here’s a secret–Nobody’s perfect. Not in real life, and certainly not in fiction. At least, not in good fiction. Flaws create tension, depth, and opportunities for growth. Maybe your character is too guarded, too impulsive, or struggles with self-doubt. Sydney Walsh is constantly second-guessing herself while Josh Damian is too guarded to let anyone see who he really is. These flaws prevent them from recognizing–let alone acknowledging–the growing spark between them, making them all the more relatable.
♬ Relationships define them
Please notice I said relationships, not romances. Characters, much like real people, don’t exist in isolation. They interact with others. They love, fight, forgive, and support those around them. The way they do that says just as much about them as the words they speak or the thoughts they share. While Sydney and Josh are the heart and soul of The Boy Band Saga, their story would not be complete without the bandmates who support them, the mentors who guide them, the adversaries who challenge them, and the chosen family they build along the way.
♬ Know their past
Even if it never makes it onto the page, understanding your character’s backstory makes their choices feel authentic. Why do they react a certain way? What haunts them? What drives them? These details shape the person they become. Sydney, for example, has a deep love of baseball, especially the Boston Red Sox. She shares this love with her maternal grandfather. Opa Werner was in his early 20s when he immigrated to the US from Germany in 1939, the same year that Ted Williams began his career with the Red Sox. The young ball player and immigrant baker struck up a friendship of sorts via the many trips Mr. Williams made to the bakery where Opa worked near Fenway. None of this is ever revealed in the story, but it is something I know. It is also how Sydney understands the impact that one small encounter with a celebrity can have on a fan.
When characters feel like real people, readers invest in them. They root for them. They cry with them. And, if you do it right, they’ll never forget them. ❤
Who are some of your favorite well-developed characters in books, TV, or movies? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️✨
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