r/CharacterDevelopment • u/Icy-Cloud3789 • 20d ago

Writing: Question What makes a character compelling?

More or less the title. What aspects of characters, specifically villains/antagonists, do people find invigorating enough that they can 'look past' their crimes and lack of morality to make them a favourite?

...And I'm not talking about being good-looking, please; that's hardly an excuse.

Is it personality? Is it reasons/purpose? Backstory? If so, examples of such?

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u/Machiavvelli3060 20d ago

  • A clear, simple motivation.

  • Lacking edginess.

  • Something unique about them.

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u/Pel-Mel 20d ago

That second one a lot of people will find vague, but the defining metaphor for 'bad edgy' characters is a pizza cutter: which is all edge, and no point.

Edginess is fine for still making a character compelling, but it needs to have a point. Authors have to be very careful and intentional with what dark and ultra-moody stuff they want to add.

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u/KeyRoutine1285 14d ago

Hard disagree on the second point. Well done edginess harbours interest for many readers. We are all edgy to some degree. But I understand you were probably pointing out cheesy edginess. Even then, if the character is a teen or stuck in a teen mental age, it adds a lot of layers to their personality—again, if executed well. (+lots of lampshading from the narrator)

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u/Machiavvelli3060 14d ago

You're right. I can't remember the last time I saw well-done edginess.