The 5 Ps: Person – Writing Characters Who Come to Life

Jun 11, 2025

Join bestselling fantasy author Andrea Stewart and children's author David Solomons as they delve into the art of crafting unforgettable characters. They share tips on developing distinct character voices and avoiding info-dumps to reveal backstory seamlessly. Learn how to create immediate desires that propel your story and the importance of showing character agency early on. They also discuss likability versus compelling traits, urging writers to embrace flaws to enhance character depth and engagement.

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INSIGHT

Want Plus Obstacle Creates Investment

Characters must have something they want and something blocking them to generate reader investment.
Shared desire plus obstacle creates immediate narrative tension that makes readers care.

ADVICE

Avoid Early Info Dumps

Avoid early backstory dumps and resist explaining everything about a character at the start.
Let readers be intrigued by small details and reveal background gradually to sustain curiosity.

INSIGHT

Interest Trumps Likability

Likability isn't required; interest and clear wants matter more in adult fiction.
Give the character a desire, an obstacle, and an initial flaw to launch their arc.

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Need some tips on writing characters? Join us for this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing podcast to celebrate The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100k for the best first 3 pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.

Authors Andrea Stewart and David Solomons discuss crafting an unforgettable PERSON in your novel’s opening pages.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

✍️ Developing a distinct character voice that leaps off the page✍️ How to reveal character background naturally without info-dumping

✍️ Creating immediate character desires that drive your story forward

✍️ Common character introduction mistakes and how to avoid them

Perfect for fiction writers looking to strengthen their novel openings and create characters readers can’t forget. Whether you’re a new writer or have a few books under your belt, these writing tips will help you craft more engaging story beginnings and make your first three pages stand out.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:01 What is a Character?

03:32 How to Bring a Character to Life

07:23 Character Likability

09:17 Writing Memorable Characters

12:41 Writing Prompts

#WritingTips #nextbigstory

🔗 Helpful Links:

The Next Big Story prize: h ttps://www.thenovelry.com/prize

See website for details. T&Cs apply.

Guest Bios

Andrea Stewart

The Novelry writing coach Andrea Stewart is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Drowning Empire trilogy. Her second trilogy, the Hollow Covenant, sold to Orbit in a six-figure deal and the first installment, The Gods Below, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller in Fall 2024. Andrea’s debut, The Bone Shard Daughter, was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fantasy and for Debut Novel, the Locus Award for Best First Novel, the British Fantasy Award Best Novel, the BookNest Award for Best Traditionally Published Novel, and the Compton Crook Award.

David Solomons

David Solomons is the author of eight acclaimed middle-grade children’s novels and several screenplays. His debut title, My Brother is a Superhero, won the Waterstones Children’s Prize, the British Book Industry Awards Children’s Book of the Year, and was Branford Boase shortlisted. The sequel, My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord, won a Laugh Out Loud Award. As a screenwriter, his first script, The Fabulous Bagel Boys, was shortlisted for a BAFTA New Writer Award.