Five ways to create unforgettable characters

When I think back to the characters that have stuck with me, long after I’ve closed the book, it’s not just their roles in the story that come to mind. It’s their quirks, their unique voices, and the way they seem so vividly alive. 

Creating truly memorable characters isn’t about making them flawless or heroic; it’s about giving them details, contradictions, and depth that resonate with readers. I've thought about this a lot and put together this list of 5 effective ways to create memorable characters in your writing that you might find useful when writing your novel.

1. Give them unexpected traits or passions

Surprise your readers by adding something they wouldn’t anticipate. Consider Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s brilliant detective, who combines a sharp, logical mind with a meticulous obsession over his appearance, particularly his iconic moustache. 

His quirks make him stand out in a genre crowded with other sleuths. As Poirot once says in Death on the Nile: 

'I do not approve of murder. Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend.'

2. Let them fail—often

Perfect characters are forgettable. It’s their missteps, their struggles, and how they handle their mistakes that make them memorable. Think of Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of an idealized love leads him to decisions that ultimately unravel everything he’s built. 

It’s his human flaws, not his grand wealth or charisma, that linger in our minds. As Nick Carraway observes:

 'He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it.'

3. Give them a distinct voice

A character’s voice isn’t just about dialogue; it’s about how they see the world, how they narrate events, and how they approach problems. Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye remains memorable because of his singular voice. He has this cynical, vulnerable, and full-of-youthful-angst, which is why that book is still being read. Holden’s voice can be heard right from the start: 

'If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like… but I don’t feel like going into it.'

4. Build a rich backstory—then hint at it

Your character’s past doesn’t need to be spelled out in detail, but a few subtle references to formative events can add layers. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch is shaped by a strong moral code and a deep sense of justice, which comes through without heavy exposition. The few references to his wife’s death or his experiences as a lawyer give the impression of a life lived fully, adding depth to his integrity. One of his most quoted lines:

'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.' 

That line alone speaks volumes about who he is and where he’s come from.

5. Introduce habits, mannerisms, or tics

A memorable character often has a small, repeated action that’s uniquely theirs. Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, frequently engages in peculiar habits like playing the violin at odd hours, experimenting with chemical compounds, and of course, his pipe-smoking. These tics give him a physicality that complements his brilliance. One of his many memorable lines from The Sign of the Four captures this perfectly: 

'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.'