Thanks Brandon for hosting me today on UrbanFantasyWriters.com.

Let’s talk a little about your urban fantasy characters today and why some are one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional.

Have you ever read a review where the reviewer points to *shallow* characters in the novel? I know I have, and that’s why I feel it’s so important for writers to allot their characters depth. So what is depth, and what do you mean by “dimensional” characters?

I think it’s crucial that readers understand who the characters are; what makes them tic, and particularly what the character’s identifying features are? I’m not necessarily talking about physical features, but consistency and manner of speech, body language and internal thoughts on how he/she views the world. A character is not merely a gorgeous person with eyes of blue.   He/she is a composition of many events that has made him/her what they are today.

Their emotions are multifaceted and often conflicting. They could come from troubled backgrounds or perhaps were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Whatever the case, in order for readers to understand and relate to your characters, writers need to delve into their history to make them like able and real (or not so like able in the villain’s case). It’s also important the readers believe (and can picture) the character existing before your story even began, thus the history.

Shallow characters (one-dimensional) have no real story, no identifying aspects to their personality. They’re merely walk-ons in your novel and won’t make lasting impressions. Readers will soon get bored with reading about someone they can’t identify with or like, and will no doubt put the book down. This, of course, is the last thing you want them to do.

Two-dimensional characters might have one identifying trait or a smidgen of history, but why stop there? Write your characters as if they are a person you’d love to know, in fact, you’re so fascinated by their thoughts about life, their opinions, you long to know everything about them, including their past.

If your hero or heroine lacks depth or dimension, reviewers/readers might refer to them as *cardboard characters* another term you want to avoid at all costs. This means they’re typical ordinary, forgettable people or par for the course in motives and goals. While writing about them, you might have hinted about a like or dislike they possess, but there you stopped, leaving the thought underdeveloped without explaining why they dislike the color purple or why the adore women in hats.  What’s the history behind their abhorrence, fetish or passion?

One of the great things about writing is that you, the author, have control over the portrayals of your characters. Make them larger than life; exaggerate their habits, annoyances, likes and dislikes. Make every aspect about them memorable in the reader’s mind.

Here’s a very short example of revealing something about the character’s background by subtly weaving it into dialogue. This is from my series, Crossroads and is contained in Crossroads Revisited (Phaze Publishing:  http://tinyurl.com/yh4r9q4 )

Here, one of the main characters, Rand, is having a conversation with his college professor about his lack of attentiveness in class.   We learn that Rand’s dependence on his older lover, Frank McGuire, stems at least in part because he misses his father.

The professor’s tone softened. “Does your mother have a husband, Mr. Brennan?   Perhaps I should speak to your father about your latent distractions and boredom in class.  I’m certain he’d want to know how his money is being frittered away.”

“Not anymore.” Flashbacks of Rand’s father rose behind his eyelids and tears surfaced. He fought them back and looked into Professor McBride’s eyes. “He died about six years ago, shot during a bank robbery.”

The man stilled and studied him.

You won’t regret giving your urban fantasy characters three-dimensions to their personalities.

There are many interesting articles on the Internet about constructing bios for your characters.   Do a Google search for ‘Writing Character Bios’ for your stories and you’ll see how helpful this process is.

Keta’s latest release is The Sin Eater’s Prince, a male/male/vampire novel set in historical Wales. You can find out more about The Sin Eater’s Prince here: http://www.ravenousromance.com

Keta’s newsletter- Keta gives away three FREE books every month. Sign up here: http://www.ketadiablo.com

About The Sin Eater’s Prince:
Owen Rhys, the sin eater of his village in Wales, has been shunned by the local villagers his entire life–except by Andras Maddock, the local physician. In love with the one man he thinks will never return that love, Owen is shocked when Andras saves him from death at the hands of a vampire and admits he cares deeply for Owen. Dagan, son of Traherne, the vampire Andras killed to save Owen, will stop at nothing to avenge his father’s death and obtain the Prince of Wales’s mystic sword from Andras. The divine claymore holds the power to grant immunity from the sun’s harsh rays—the one exemption the dark Lords of the Underworld has sought for centuries. Star-crossed love, sorcery, and bloodlust collide on a vengeful path where only one side can remain victorious. Revenge and redemption. Dark versus light. Good versus evil. The Sin Eater’s Prince. Watch the video trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h46kQK9a6k And . . . read a sample chapter of The Sin Eater’s Prince here: http://www.freado.com/users/3290/Keta-Diablo