In a good story, every good character has a dark secret, a past, and an inconvenient truth they’ve been concealing for years. Secrets can add some fun, but shouldn’t be necessary in order to create an interesting character. Sometimes the most compelling character is one with nothing to hide.

A character doesn’t have to have a secret to be interesting. They require substance.

Think about the types of people you encounter in everyday situations. Not everyone has a dark past or a confession that could change our lives, but each one can still be interesting because of who they are and what they believe in, their pain and longing, and the choices they make. Every single person.

Give him a contradiction. Drop the secrets. Give your character contradictions: maybe she’s self-assured about her career but unsure about herself. Or she’s a generous woman but she can’t forgive herself.

You might also build a character’s interest through close relationships, major personal growth, hard choices, and inner conflict. What do they want? What keeps them from getting it? What are they ready to give up in order to get it? These things will reveal way more about a character than any big, juicy secret ever could.

Remember, readers don’t care about characters because they have something to hide. They care because they see themselves in the characters.

So don’t feel like you have to build a bombshell when you’re creating your new character. Just give them a personality, a reason to be in the story, flaws, and some wiggle room.

Your character doesn’t need a secret. They need a story worth telling.

Thank you for your continued readership and support. Until next week…Blessings and Peace!

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