How to Create Memorable Characters For a Paranormal Romance Novel

Creating memorable characters for a paranormal romance novel is a bit different than making memorable characters for a standard romance novel. Paranormal romance novels have otherworldly elements that have be very consistent and well explained in order to work for the reader. Paranormal romances are some of the hottest best sellers in the book industry in both the electronic presses and the hardback and paperback arena as well. The writer must be sure to get it right the first time when they are writing a book in this genre.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Spend time writing out the details of the world in your paranormal romance novel. Make sure you are as clear and concise as you can be when doing this. If anything is inconsistent or does not make sense in the final analysis to readers, you will lose them.

2. Show your notes on the world you are creating to others, let them ask you questions and then make a point of being sure that those questions are answered. Now you may be wondering what this has to do with creating memorable characters in a paranormal romance novel and why it is important is that your characters have to fit with your world. If you create a character that does not mesh well with the world you have created, this is another way to lose readers.

3. Now that you have the world your characters are going to inhabit, it is time to develop what paranormal elements and or characteristics your characters are going to have. Paranormal can cover a lot of avenues, including vampires, shape shifters, psychics and those with other abilities that are not the norm. Write down what paranormal powers and abilities your characters have and make sure this meshes well with the world you created.

4. Let the same people who checked out your world’s characteristics check out your characters abilities as well. Have them watch for any inconsistencies and point them out when they find them.

5. Once you’ve fleshed out your world and your character’s powers and abilities, the next thing is to have a understanding of the dynamics between your main characters and their relationship. It is important that the relationship make sense and that the characters obviously belong together. Now that may sound like common sense but there are paranormal romances out there where the author did not do a good job of making it clear as to how the character’s abilities played a key part in their relationship. In the case of paranormal romance, there is always something more than just the romance itself and usually it is the otherworldly abilities that bring them together. This has to make sense and be well explained, which is why it’s so important to get it all straight before beginning your story.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand that you don’t have to make changes to your world or your characters if it doesn’t feel right. No one knows your characters better than you, since you created them in your own imagination. Go with your gut in this respect and if a suggested change doesn’t feel right, then don’t make it.
• Only ask people you really trust to look at what you have on your world and characters. If you know someone is going to be very pushy about implementing their suggestions, then choose someone else.