In this chapter:

How to create an original character for your story

Names
Coming up with a name for your character can be stressful and frustrating, you want to find that perfect name, one that describes your character. You want an unique name that makes your character different. Think about what your character is going to be like, are they going to be preppy? Sporty? Artistic? Shy? Girly? Boyish? Choosing a name that fits the personality can be important, it helps with your readers to envision your character better because honestly, when you think of a girl called Brittany, do you think of a popular chick who enjoys makeup and dresses or do you think of a girl who likes to play sports and get muddy?

Finding the right name is the first step to creating your dream character.

Personality
Now you have a name for your character, it's time to create their personality. Try to avoid the clichés such as an instant badass or clingy and need constant protecting. You should want your character to be relatable to your readers. What helps me create my own characters is basing them off of my own personality. For example, if I'm sarcastic then my characters are usually sarcastic too. You want your character to have a personality that seems real. Do you want them to be serious or someone who likes to tell jokes? Someone who can be independent or someone who needs constant help in everything they do? Do they like make up and gossiping or getting dirty and rough?

If your plot involves your character taking down walkers and rescuing others, make sure their personality allows them to do so. Your plot and your characters personality needs to be coherent for a good story.

Clothing Style
This links to your characters personality, if your characters are boyish and likes getting dirty and hanging out with boys, would they really wear dresses, make-up and fake nails? If your character likes a girls day out, likes make-overs and talking about boys, would they really wear trainers, baggy tops and shorts?

Think about your characters personality and question what would they wear? Getting their clothing style right allows your readers to picture your character, it allows them to really get to know your character which in return allows them to be drawn to your story.

Looks
What does your character look like? The cliché is blonde or brunette, blue eyes or green eyes, tall and thin, basically they look like a freaking model. Tell me this, have you read about a character who has black hair, brown/hazel eyes, is overweight, wears glasses and has acne? No? Exactly, people want their characters to be perfect looking. But I've noticed that people appreciate characters who look average, they're different, they're relatable. Not all characters need to look like Victoria Beckham, if anything I'd prefer a character to look like Rebel Wilson.

When creating your characters looks, think carefully about what you want them to look like, and ask yourself this: can they be a real person? If not, why?

Their motivation
What is your characters motivation? Are they surviving for no reason or are they surviving to protect their family and friends? Are they on a path of revenge or to find a home? What keeps your character going? What is it they want to do or achieve?

Rick's goal was to find his family that's why he was surviving and then his goal was to protect them.

Does your character keep on living for the sake of it or do they have a reason?

Growth
Think about what your character is going to be like in the future. Is your character still going to be the scared teenager that couldn't do anything or will they have grown and are now able to protect themselves and no longer fear the dead?

It is important to allow your character to grow and develop as your story continues. People grow and develop and change overtime in the real world, so why can't your character do the same? Character growth is important for your story, it leads to new opportunities and keeps your readers engaged.

Summary
To sum everything up make sure your character is realistic and relatable and coherent, make sure they have a goal or motivation to continue living and surviving and make sure the character has growth development.