Who’s Your Favorite Character?
Have you ever read a book where you bonded so much with a character that you felt like you were losing a friend when you turned to the final page? Or alternatively, have you ever stopped reading a book because you couldn’t find a character you liked?
(How to Move Your Protagonist From One Setting to Another.)
Characters bring a book to life. They are the heartbeat of a story. They are the people we meet along the path on our reading journey and are critical to keeping us engaged in the book. If we can’t relate to them or don’t like them, it is hard to keep reading.
Main Characters in The Blue Trunk
The Blue Trunk is a novel about two women who lived a century apart but who were connected by blood. Rachel Jackson’s idyllic life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a woman’s scarf in her politician husband’s computer bag. In an election year, seeking answers to questions of infidelity is not an option. When her mother gives her a family heirloom, a travel trunk owned by an “insane” ancestor, she finds a distraction. Determined to find out what happened to her great-great aunt Marit, Rachel sets out to unveil her unknown story.
While there are several interesting minor characters in the story, I’d like to focus on three main characters.
Rachel (current day protagonist): Rachel’s life is emblematic of the struggles faced by many of today’s women. Despite living a life of privilege, she struggles with self-image. Her relationship with her mother has been difficult since the death of her sister when Rachel was six. She dreams of a career but is forced to be a “politician’s wife.” Her inner demons control her. However, as the story progresses, Rachel begins to confront these internal battles. Her growth lies in finding a healthier relationship with herself, understanding the roots of her insecurities, and learning to navigate the complexities of her various roles—daughter, partner, professional. Rachel’s arc is one of self-acceptance and empowerment.Marit (Great-great aunt of Rachel): Marit’s life in Norway hasn’t always been easy, but it takes a turn for the worse when she is forced to immigrate to America. Her journey is one of survival and self-discovery. Over time, Marit uncovers layers of strength and identity that she never knew existed. Her evolution is gradual but profound, as she learns to confront her past, redefine her sense of self, and ultimately embrace her true identity. Marit’s arc is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and grow, even in the face of life’s harshest trials.Blake (Rachel’s husband): Blake’s transformation is perhaps the most unexpected. What begins as a seemingly straightforward character—one that might easily fit into a stereotypical role—unfolds into a layered and nuanced individual. Initially, Blake might appear to be the archetypal “bad guy,” but as the narrative progresses, we see him grappling with his own demons, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of his actions. His evolution involves shedding preconceived notions and stereotypes, revealing a more complex humanity underneath. Blake’s arc challenges the reader to look beyond surface-level judgments and consider the multifaceted nature of every individual.
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How Do Writers Create Relatable Characters?
While writers have different strategies for developing characters, the following are essential for developing a relatable character.
Decide on an Archetype
Writers often begin developing a character by choosing an archetype: a hero, a victim, a villain, etc., and then build on it with details. Some prefer to focus on physical characteristics (“she had piercing eyes”), while others leave certain aspects to the reader’s imagination. Nearly all characters have quirks or things that make them real.
In The Blue Trunk, Rachel has body image issues that cause her to over exercise and under eat. Marit has a compulsion to count. These traits make them more human. Most readers want characters to be people they can admire, but they also need to feel real.
Develop the Backstory
Readers connect with a character more deeply when they know the backstory. They are more intriguing if they understand what the characters have endured in their life. Writers often reveal backstory details as the story unfolds.
For instance, in The Blue Trunk, it was important to communicate how Rachel and Blake met and the nature of their childhoods. Readers might want to understand why Marit is as rebellious as she is—why she tends to reject conventional norms—and why Blake allows himself to be controlled by his father. These backstories help readers know the character in a multifaceted way.
Layer With an Arc
Lastly, characters need to have an arc; we want to see them grow and change. In storytelling, a character’s arc is the journey they undergo—their transformation. This evolution keeps readers invested.
All three main characters in The Blue Trunk mature and change as the story progresses. Rachel becomes more outspoken. Marit pushes back on all that is constraining her and fights (sometimes literally) with those who would imprison her. Blake breaks the shackles of his father and societal norms to find a world that better fits with his authentic self.
A well-crafted character adds dimension to a story. They are affected by, and in turn, affect the events around them. The changes they undergo reveal universal themes in a story, like redemption, self-discovery, or the battle between good and evil.
In The Blue Trunk, Marit, Rachel, and Blake each embark on distinct journeys of transformation. Each character’s arc is essential not just to their own development, but to the richness of the story as a whole. In the end, it is their change that makes the narrative compelling and memorable.
So, who’s your favorite?
Check out Ann E. Lowry’s The Blue Trunk here:
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