The Art of Creating Relatable Characters in Fiction: An Exploration of Expert Authors

Great fiction authors have the remarkable ability to make us feel as if the characters in their stories are people we know and care about. A well-developed character can resonate deeply with readers, evoking emotions and empathy that can last a lifetime. In this article, we explore the art of creating relatable characters through the works of renowned authors and delve into the techniques that make characters feel like people we know and care about.

The Expert Authors Benchmarking Relatability

Kazuo Ishiguro's novel ldquo;Never Let Me Gordquo; is an exemplary piece of literature that captures the reader's heart, mind, and soul. The character of Tommy, in particular, stays with the reader long after the book is closed. While the other characters are compelling, they remain more distant, a reflection of their inevitable fate. This distance is a testament to the authenticity of Ishiguro's characters, making us question our own perceptions of them and their circumstances.

Elizabeth Strout's "Anything Is Possible": A Masterclass in Character Development

Elizabeth Strout's collection of short stories, "Anything Is Possible," offers a masterclass in character development. Each story revolves around interconnected characters living through circumstances that seem unimaginable. What stands out is the profound sense of familiarity readers feel when reading these characters. We can almost imagine ourselves in their shoes, mirroring their traits and living through their lives. Strout's characters are believable and astonishing, mirroring the real world's complexities and unpredictabilities.

Character Relatability: A Universal Trait

It isn't just Ishiguro or Strout who master this art. Marilyn Robinson, Ian McEwan, Cormac McCarthy, Toni Morrison, Gabriel García Márquez, William Faulkner, Thornton Wilder, Eudora Welty, Annie Proulx, and Ann Padgett all excel at creating characters that feel like real people. These authors often take their characters to unimaginable places, making their circumstances much more complex and darker than we initially anticipate. This makes their characters relatable and relatable in the truest sense of the word.

Characterizing Through Emotion and Imagination

To better understand the techniques used by these authors, let's turn to the insights of Vladimir Nabokov. Before the success of his novel "Lolita," Nabokov was a literature professor who posed a series of questions about what constitutes a good reader. His answer highlights the importance of imagination, memory, and artistic sense. According to Nabokov, a good reader is one who: Has a strong sense of imagination Has a good memory Has a dictionary at hand for a deeper understanding Has an artistic sense to appreciate the nuances of language and expression

These qualities are essential for creating relatable characters in fiction. A reader must be able to imagine themselves in the shoes of the characters, remember dialogues and actions, look up unfamiliar terms, and appreciate the craft of the author. This imagination and memory help readers connect with the characters on a deeper level, making them feel like real people we know and care about.

Conclusion

Creating relatable characters in fiction is a complex art that requires a deep understanding of human nature, empathy, and the power of imagination. Through the works of Kazuo Ishiguro, Elizabeth Strout, Marilyn Robinson, and other renowned authors, we can see how these professionals create characters that feel like real people we know and care about. By understanding and employing the techniques highlighted by Vladimir Nabokov, aspiring authors and readers can enhance their appreciation and creation of relatable characters. The essence of good fiction lies in the ability to make readers feel a connection with the characters, and this connection can leave a lasting impact on their lives.

Keywords: fictional characters, character development, relatable characters