∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
We love a complex character.
But there's a fine line between emotional depth and melodrama overload.
You've seen it before — the brooding loner with a tragic backstory... and nothing else.
They're all pain, no personality.
That's not strength. That's a stereotype.
So how do you write strong, emotionally complex characters without drowning them in angst?
Let's break it down.
1. Strength Isn't Always Loud
A strong character isn't just the one who fights, speaks up, or leads the group.
Strength can be:
• Choosing kindness even when you're angry
• Admitting when you're scared
• Walking away instead of lashing out
• Surviving something — and still showing up the next day
Your character doesn't need to be bulletproof.
They just need to grow.
2. Give Them a Personality Beyond the Pain
Yes, your character might have trauma. But they're not defined only by it.
What makes them laugh?
What weird thing are they obsessed with?
How do they act when they're in love, annoyed, or sleepy?
Real people are messy mixes of feelings, habits, and contradictions. So are great characters.
3. Use Backstory Sparingly
Avoid dumping their entire tragic history in Chapter 1. Let it unfold.
Hint at it through:
• Their reactions ("Why did that comment shake her?")
• Their fears ("He hates being alone. Wonder why?")
• Their choices ("She always leaves before anyone can leave her.")
The pain hits harder when it's revealed slowly — not all at once.
4. Don't Let Them Be Emotionally Unavailable Forever
A character who never opens up gets boring.
Let them change. Let someone break down their walls. Let them be soft.
It doesn't make them weak. It makes them human.
5. Show Strength in Their Flaws
Give them:
• A short temper — but a soft heart
• A need for control — because they've felt powerless
• A sarcastic mouth — but an honest soul
Flaws make characters real. But how they handle those flaws? That's where their strength shows up.
YOU ARE READING
Emails I Cant Send - Writing Tips
RandomNeed help turning your ideas into actual stories? Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your writing game, Emails I Cant Send is your go-to guide for crafting compelling characters, creating binge-worthy plots, and avoiding common...
