How to Make the Best Character Ever (From Scratch!)

A cozy breakdown of character‑creation magic, from your storytelling nerd bestie.

Dear Fellow Adventurer,

You ever sit at your desk, staring at a blinking cursor, whispering:
"I just want to make the BEST character ever!"
Same.

So in this blog, I’m going to walk you through how I build memorable, believable characters from scratch—without overthinking it, over-planning it, or spiraling into chaos (been there).

These are the same 5 steps I use every time I get stuck—and honestly? They work like magic.

✨ 1. Start with Personality + Appearance

Your character’s personality is their core essence. Start by writing 3–5 “I am” or belief-based statements. For example:

  • I am overly optimistic

  • I believe people deserve second chances

  • I don’t trust anyone with power

Keep it tight and true.
Avoid cramming too many traits in upfront—let some of them reveal themselves over time as the story unfolds.

And don’t forget: use the Yes, and… technique from improv. Traits should build on each other, not contradict at random.

✨ 2. Give Them Flaws (the juicy kind)

Perfect characters are boring.
Flawed ones are human.

A good flaw often grows out of a strength. For example:

  • A generous character might be naive

  • A confident one might be arrogant

  • A selfless one might constantly neglect themselves

Bonus tip: Make your flaw get in the way. That’s where story tension comes from.

✨ 3. Craft a Backstory That Supports the Rest

Your backstory shouldn’t explain everything—just enough to reveal:

  • Where their desires came from

  • Why their flaw exists

  • Or how their personality formed

One or two key life events is plenty.
And remember: backstory doesn’t always mean childhood trauma. It can be anything that shaped how they see the world today.

✨ 4. Define Their Conflict + Desire

This is the engine of your character’s story.

What do they want? What unresolved thing are they chasing?

Wants don’t have to be “big”—they just need to matter deeply to your character.

Examples:

  • Wanting to reconnect with a lost sibling

  • Wanting to prove they’re good enough

  • Wanting to run away from the past

Tip: Stick to 1–3 desires to avoid confusion. Let the rest unfold naturally through your story.

✨ 5. Keep It Simple, but Personal

It’s easy to get lost in templates and charts—but at the heart of every great character is this question:

Do I understand why they do what they do?

If the answer is yes—then you’re on the right path.

Characters don’t need to be shocking or groundbreaking. They just need to feel real.

So go on—create that character.

Start small. Let it unfold.
And remember, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just writing like a real storyteller.

You’ve got this 💫

Love, Wengie ♥️