What do Atticus Finch, Lisbeth Salander and Ferris Bueller have in common?
They’re the first three names that popped into my head when I started thinking about compelling fictional characters.
It’s hard to imagine the qualities that link a 1930s lawyer oozing with integrity, a female punk cyber spy, and a naughty high school boy, but they do share certain characteristics that make them compelling:
- Each has a strong drive to pursue a certain course of action in spite of the potential legal, social, or parental repercussions.
- Each lives by a personal code which is unyielding in the face of conflict.
- Each lives life large, all passion and no hesitation.
These disparate characters exist in plots that have their personal codes going up against the conventional tides of their worlds—and keep their readers and viewers sitting on the edges of our seats.
Hyperink.com‘s question of the month: What makes a compelling character in a book or movie?
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Hey Sandy,
I think a compelling character in a book or movie is someone who is very charming and somewhat manipulative, someone who has a sort of childlike quality to them. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the ABC Family sitcom “Greek”–my favorite character was Cappie.
And, I think people with tough exteriors are fun to see or read about. “Grey’s Anatomy” has my two favorite characters Alex Karev and Christina Yang.
I just think it’s more interesting when characters aren’t normal like everyone else. They can be a jerk as long as they’re interesting.
Keep smiling,
Yawatta
I agree, Yawatta. Interesting characters who are charming and manipulative can be compelling — and so can characters with tough exteriors. Thanks for your comment!
~Sandy