USING AI TO HELP WITH CHARACTER CREATION [Post 2-A]

Developing Three-Dimensional Characters for Your Fiction Writing

(To read these posts in chronological order, visit our Table of Contents.)

Creating compelling characters can make the difference between a story that readers can’t put down and one they never finish. Think about your favorite novels. Chances are you remember the characters more vividly than the plot. Why? Because readers connect emotionally with well-crafted characters who feel real, struggle with relatable problems, and grow in meaningful ways.

But developing memorable characters isn’t easy. Many writers struggle with making their characters feel authentic and three-dimensional. We often end up with characters who seem flat, predictable, or clichéd. Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself - staring at your screen, knowing your character needs more depth but not sure how to achieve it.

In this post, you’ll learn how Claude AI can transform your character creation process. Using carefully crafted prompts, you can explore your character’s personality, background, motivations, and conflicts in ways you might not have considered. AI helps you dig deeper, asking questions that reveal new layers of complexity and suggesting unexpected traits that make your characters more interesting.

Today, you’ll learn a simple but powerful technique for developing more complex characters. I’ll show you exactly how to use Claude AI to uncover unique aspects of your characters’ personalities and build on those discoveries to create someone readers won’t forget.

Understanding Character Creation: The Basics

The foundation of any memorable character is their core essence - what drives them, haunts them, and makes them uniquely themselves. Think of it like getting to know a new friend. At first, you learn the surface details: their job, their hobbies, where they live. But as your friendship deepens, you discover their hopes, fears, secrets, and contradictions.

One key principle in character development is understanding that every character needs both external and internal conflicts. The external conflict might be solving a mystery or finding love. Still, the internal struggle - perhaps fear of failure or inability to trust - makes readers care about that external journey.

A common problem writers face is creating characters who are too perfect or predictable. We might give our main character admirable qualities but forget to include the flaws and contradictions that make them human. Or we focus on their current situation without considering how their past experiences shape their present actions.

Using AI as your character development partner helps solve these issues by prompting you to explore aspects of your character you might not have considered. Let me show you how with a simple example.

AI in Action: A Simple Character Creation Example

Let me show you how to use AI to discover unique aspects of your character. Here’s a conversation I had with Claude while developing a main character:

MY PROMPT:

Claude, I’m creating a female protagonist in her mid-thirties who runs an independent bookstore. Instead of typical character traits, could you suggest some unexpected quirks, habits, or contradictions that would make her more interesting?

CLAUDE’S RESPONSE:

“Here are some unexpected character elements that could add depth:

1. She arranges books by color in her home but is adamant about proper categorization at her store

2. Can remember every customer’s reading preferences but constantly forgets where she parked her car

3. Gives insightful relationship advice to customers while being completely oblivious to her own patterns

4. Hides trashy romance novels in her office despite promoting literary fiction in the store

5. Meticulously plans store events but thrives on spontaneous solo adventures on her days off”

Look how each trait creates an interesting contradiction. The conflict between her organized professional life and chaotic personal life immediately suggests internal struggles that could drive character development.

But let’s dig deeper with a follow-up question.

MY FOLLOW-UP PROMPT:

Claude, could you explore how the contrast between her organized store life and spontaneous personal life might create interesting story conflicts?

CLAUDE’S RESPONSE:

“This contradiction could create compelling tensions:

- Her careful business planning clashes with impulsive personal decisions

- Customers see her as the reliable, organized bookstore owner while close friends know her as a free spirit

- She struggles to maintain her professional image while yearning for more spontaneity in all areas of her life

- Her split personality creates relationship challenges - potential romantic partners get mixed signals

- The organized facade might be her way of controlling anxiety about running a struggling small business”

See how a simple character quirk can lead to a deeper understanding of internal conflicts and potential story developments?

How to Use This Prompt in Your Fiction Writing

Let’s apply this character development technique to your own writing project. Start with your character’s primary role or occupation - whatever defines him or her on the surface. Then, ask Claude to suggest unexpected contradictions or quirks that create tension with that surface identity.

For example, if your protagonist is a high school teacher, you might ask Claude for surprising contrasts between their professional persona and private life. Or, if you’re writing about a detective, ask for unexpected hobbies or fears that complicate their tough exterior.

The key is looking for contradictions that create internal conflict. When Claude suggests various traits, pay attention to the ones that make you think, “That’s interesting - I wonder why they’re like that?” Those are usually the traits worth exploring further.

What you can expect from this process:

• Multiple character possibilities to consider

• Natural sources of internal conflict

• Opportunities for character growth (character arc)

• Unique traits that avoid stereotypes

• Deeper understanding of your character’s complexity

Remember to follow up on any interesting suggestions with more specific questions. Each contradiction can lead to deeper character insights and potential story developments.

Your Next Steps

Take your character development to the next level this week with these specific actions:

1. Character Analysis

• Choose one character who needs more depth

• List their primary role/identity

• Note any existing contradictions

• Identify areas of this character that feel flat

2. AI Exploration Session

Ask Claude:

• For unexpected contradictions

• About potential internal conflicts

• For unique quirks that create tension

• How certain traits might affect their relationships

3. Implementation

• Add 2-3 new contradictions to your character

• Write a short scene showcasing one trait

• Note how this trait affects their arc

• Consider the impact on other characters (You can ask Claude about this.)

Success Markers:

• Does the character feel more three-dimensional?

• Do the (quirky) actions have clear motivations?

• Does this personality trait create natural conflict?

• Are these traits something the reader can connect or identify with?

Important Writing Tip: Save a copy of Claude’s responses in your character development notes. These contradictions often lead to powerful character arcs as your story progresses.

Coming Up Next

In Thursday’s paid post, we’ll dive deeper into character development with:

• Three advanced techniques for complex character creation

• Multiple AI prompts for deeper character exploration

• Troubleshooting suggestions for common character problems

• A downloadable character development Summary and Prompt Sheet (All the prompts from the free and paid character development newsletters.)

• A downloadable character development Worksheet Questionnaire

In next Tuesday’s free post, we’ll explore how AI can help you break through writer’s block, turning those frustrating stuck moments into opportunities for creative breakthroughs.

Ready to Enhance Your Writing?

Here’s what you can do right now:

1. If you haven’t done so, sign up for Claude AI 3.5 Sonnet Pro at Anthropic’s website. (Choose “Meet Claude 3.5 Sonnet”)

2. Subscribe to this newsletter if you haven’t already: Don’t miss out on future AI instructions delivered straight to your inbox. (All subscribers receive The Writer’s AI Companion newsletter every Tuesday. Paid subscribers receive the additional advanced lessons every Thursday.)

3. Share your thoughts: What’s your most significant (or current) writing challenge? Comment below and tell me what AI writing tips you’d like to see in future newsletters.

4. Spread the word: Do you know a fellow writer who could use a brainstorming partner? Please share this newsletter with them, and let’s grow our AI writing community together.

Until next time, think creatively,

Elaine

P.S. Feel free to email me at Elaine@TheWrittenLink.com. Please put “Companion” in the subject line.

© Elaine Foster, The Writer’s AI Companion. Share freely with attribution.