If you’re an author scratching your head over lukewarm book sales, here’s a revelation: It’s not the plot; it’s the characters.
If you want to sell more books to more new readers, unless you have a limitless supply of cash, your story is going to require high social value. People will need to love, celebrate and share your story, even if it’s only with one friend. That’s really all it takes. If ten readers recommend your book to one friend, the next day twenty readers could recommend your book to one more friend. That’s how successful books are sold, Social Value.
When I say “Sell more books” what I’m really saying is make more money. Selling books is the least an author can do. These days, if you’re and author outside of the 0.01% I advise you to generate recurring, semi-passive income to allow you to continue writing.
Characters are the most important element of any story. It makes sense. Humans are obsessed with other humans. So, before publishing your book, you need to know and understand this.
So, if you’re already selling books or you’re planning to, focusing on your characters is the very thing you should be doing to maximise your returns. Seriously, if you’re not doing this, you’re missing out on thousands of readers.
In this article, I’m going to explain why. At at the end, I have a great Free Bonus that will help you to make it happen!
Table of Contents
1. Why Characters Trump Plot
2. Characters That Keep Readers Coming Back
3. Memorable Characters from Forgettable Stories
4. The Author’s mistake: Selling Stories Over Characters
5. Turning Readers into Raving Fans
6. Ultimate Fan Building Toolkit
7. Immortality Awaits
Why Characters Trump Plot
I’ve always loved a good story, whether it be a good book, time spent listening to a friend or family member, a TV show, a movie, or an audiobook. But over the years, I’ve come to realise that it’s not the story itself that lingers in the mind—it’s the characters who inhabit it. Think about it: would Sherlock Holmes be any less fascinating if he were solving mundane neighbourhood disputes instead of grand mysteries? It’s highly unlikely. Would we remember popular and classical stories if their characters weren’t so clearly recognisable?
Creating characters readers love is the heartbeat of any narrative. They are the vessels through which readers experience the world you’ve created. A riveting plot might catch a reader’s attention, but it’s the characters that capture their hearts. Characters are able to ignite a kinship and a reflective empathy that makes a fictional character become part of our daily lives. Think of all the character as children we pretend to be through role play. Even the most common of tropes is no where near as popular as red capes, black masks, and breathing into you hands quoting “I am your father.”
Characters That Keep Readers Coming Back
Have you ever found yourself eagerly awaiting the next book in a series, not because of the cliffhanger ending, but because you simply miss the characters? I, for one, have spent countless nights pondering the fates of fictional friends, hoping for their triumphs and dreading their downfalls. I’d become emotionally attached to their relationships with other characters, hoping that they would finally make that call, or waiting for rivals to get what’s coming to them. Readers feel like they’re part of a story when they become aligned with the emotions, motives, and perspectives of the characters.
When readers form these emotional attachments to characters, they become invested in their journeys. This investment translates into loyalty—not just to the characters, but to you, the author. They will follow your work, recommend your books, and become ambassadors for your stories.
The Power of Relatability
Characters who mirror our own struggles, fears, and desires resonate deeply. They don’t need to be heroes; they just need to be human. Delve into the psyche of your characters. What makes them tick? What keeps them awake at night? The more layers you add, the more real they become.
Great stories often focus on small things. A character trait, a habit or mannerism can be a powerful way of connecting the reader with the character’s perspective. By focusing in on these small things, readers become aware of them throughout the story without the author referencing them. This implants a part of the character in our memory, and further develops our empathy for them.
Memorable Characters from Forgettable Stories
It’s a curious phenomenon when a character outshines the story they’re in. Take, for instance, the ever-charismatic Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. The plots may have wavered over the sequels, but Captain Sparrow’s antics kept audiences hooked.
Similarly, the enigmatic Tyler Durden from Fight Club leaves a lasting impression, even if the storyline twists your brain into a knot. These characters are so compelling that they transcend the narratives they’re part of.
An all too familiar occurrence of that absence of memorable characters are sequels. Sometimes a sequel will force us to fall in love with a new character. But, unfortunately we often struggle to overcome the feeling of loss and longing for the original characters we fell in love with. It’s why some sequels are doomed to fail. Some, not all.
Case Study: The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby is another example. The story itself is a simple tale of love and obsession, but Gatsby’s larger-than-life persona, his relentless pursuit of an unattainable dream, elevates the novel to classic status.
The Author’s Mistake: Selling Stories Over Characters
Many authors pour their souls into crafting intricate plots, weaving twists and turns meant to dazzle readers. While a good plot is important, it’s like the skeleton of your story—necessary but not sufficient. The flesh and blood come from your characters.
I’ve encountered writers who spend months world-building, yet their characters feel like afterthoughts. I’ve been guilty of this, myself. This imbalance can leave readers detached, merely observing the story rather than immersing themselves in it.
You might think your characters are well fleshed out, interesting, controversial, and full of personality that leaps off the page. But, how much of what you feel is actually written into your story, and how much is in you notes, your outline, your memory, your imagination. Unless you put your character’s details down on the page, readers won’t feel anything near what you do.
Shifting Your Focus
To truly connect with your audience and sell more books, shift your focus to early active character development. Give your characters flaws, dreams, and idiosyncrasies that become obvious in your story as soon as possible. Let them make mistakes. Let them be vulnerable or intentionally stoic. Allow them to grow and change. When readers see characters evolve, they feel a part of that journey.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself into your character. I don’t mean your likes, dislikes, goals, and aspirations. I mean; that sound you can’t stand. The memory of that itchy school sweater that makes you hate wool. The fact that you curl your toes when you’re stressed. The habit you have of blinking three times every time you tell a lie.
Turning Readers into Raving Fans
So, hopefully by now you’re beginning to understand how you can make readers fall in love with your characters. Start by knowing them inside out. Write backstories, even if they never make it into the final draft. Understand their motivations and let those drive the plot. Sprinkle in those idiosyncrasies early on, and give them a trait or behaviour obvious and memorable to make that connection with the reader.
Once you’ve crafted the character that works for your story, don’t worry about who that character resonates with. Unless you’ve created an alien with only alien traits that in no way relate to anything we as humans experience, there will be thousands of readers who will immediately find some strong connection with your character.
Engage with those readers. Cultivate a community for them. Keep them enthused with more and more valuable information about your character and their place in the story. The more readers know about your characters, the more they’ll care.
Don’t forget to invite more readers. Share character profiles on social media. Offer snippets of dialogue or inner thoughts. Encourage those inside your community to share and promote your character with new potential readers and you’re sure to see your community grow.
My Character Epiphany
I recall working on my second novel, obsessing over the plot while my characters remained a little flat. Feedback was polite but lukewarm. It wasn’t until I reimagined my protagonist, giving him a tragic back story and unusual habitual behaviour, that readers began to connect. The story didn’t change, but the way readers experienced it did.
My second novel got put on hold and I explored a series of Short Stories that helped me to explore the lives of the many of the characters in my novels. The Short Stories heavily influenced my approach to my third draw. Suddenly the characters in my novel became relatable and familiar which was reflected in how many new readers I was getting.
I’m not the world’s greatest author, and I’m certainly not the world’s most successful. But, I found a community of readers by focusing on my characters. That community gave me the support to build my own platform for my stories and fund my future publications. I don’t spend my time fighting for attention on Amazon or chasing best seller badges. I spend my time writing and communicating with my fans.
Sell More Books With The Ultimate Fan Building Toolkit
So, here’s that bonus I mentioned earlier. It’s something I wish I had access to many years ago when I started my author journey.
If you’re eager to dive deeper into character development and learn how to sell more books by creating characters readers love, this is a fantastic resource I’d highly recommend. It’s called The Ultimate Fan Building Toolkit. It’s a free guide for fiction authors that explores these very topics.
The toolkit offers a step-by-step guide on how to:
– Develop multi-dimensional characters
– Engage readers through emotional storytelling
– Build a loyal fanbase eager for your next book
By utilising this toolkit, you’ll be well on your way to turning casual readers into devoted fans who champion your work.
Download the Ultimate Fan Building Toolkit here
Immortality awaits
In the grand tapestry of storytelling, characters are the vibrant threads that catch the eye and hold attention. They are the ones who invite readers into your world and make them never want to leave. By focusing on creating compelling characters, you’re not just writing a story—you’re forging connections that can last a lifetime.
So, if you’re not making your characters the focal point of every scene, chapter and story you write, you might be missing out on selling as many books as you should be. Remember, plots can be forgotten, but beloved characters live on in the hearts of readers.
Embrace your characters, and your readers will embrace you.
