(Intro)

You’ve built an incredible world. You have a magic system that would make any hard fantasy fan swoon. You’ve plotted a twist that will leave your readers reeling. But there’s one problem: your readers don’t care.

Why?

Because all the cool world-building and intricate plotting in the world are meaningless if your readers aren’t invested in the characters navigating it all. As Brandon Sanderson explains in his writing lectures, an action sequence loses its power if we don't care who lives or dies. A stunning setting is just a backdrop unless it causes problems for a character we’re rooting for.

So, how do you make readers care? How do you create characters that feel so real, your readers think about them long after turning the final page?

The answer lies in mastering three core pillars.

The first and most direct way to hook a reader is to make them empathize with your character. If the reader sees themselves in the character, or simply finds them likable, they’ll be immediately invested in their journey.

How do you establish this connection?

1. Make Them Relatable: Show that the character shares universal human experiences, fears, or desires. Maybe they feel like an outsider, struggle with shyness, or just want a quiet life. Luke Skywalker staring at the twin suns and yearning for adventure is a classic example—we’ve all dreamed of something more.
2. Make Them “Nice”: This is the famous “Save the Cat” moment. Have your hero do something kind or decent early on, like saving a cat. Conversely, to make a villain loathsome, have them “kick a dog.” These actions instantly telegraph a character’s moral compass.
3. Show Others Liking Them: This is a brilliantly simple trick. If other people in the story like and respect the character, the reader is predisposed to like them, too. Showing a character with a loving family or loyal friends makes us think, "Well, if they see something in them, maybe I will, too."

Without empathy, the rest of the journey is an uphill battle.

Empathy makes us like a character, but motivation makes us root for them. A character who wants something is inherently more interesting than one who is passively pushed along by the plot.

This is all about establishing a clear character motivation.

1. Give Them a Goal: What does your character desire more than anything? It can be epic (saving the galaxy) or intimate (getting a cup of tea), but it must be compelling. The "why" behind the goal is your rooting interest.
2. Create Obstacles: Why can’t they have what they want? This is where their flaws, handicaps, or external conflicts come into play, creating the central tension of your story.
3. Make it Personal: The phrase “suddenly, it’s personal” is a cliché for a reason—it works. When the external plot directly impacts the character’s inner world (like the Empire killing Luke’s aunt and uncle), their motivation skyrockets, and so does our investment.

Finally, we need to see the character changing. A static character is a boring character. The character arc—the journey of growth, decline, or transformation—is what gives a story its emotional weight.

This sense of progress is created by:

1. Showing a Flaw: Introduce a weakness the character must overcome (or that will lead to their downfall).
2. Posing a Question: The story can ask, "Will this shy person find the courage to speak up?" or "Will this arrogant warrior learn humility?" We keep reading to discover the answer.
3. Demonstrating Change: Whether your character is growing in competence (like a wizard learning magic), proactivity (taking charge of their destiny), or likeability, we need to see motion. This progress is the engine of your plot structure.

Think of your favorite characters. They likely excel in at least one of these areas.

1. Han Solo starts with low empathy (he’s a scoundrel) but high competence, which makes him cool. His arc is about gaining empathy and proactivity.
2. Spiderman begins with maximum empathy (the bullied nerd we all relate to), and his journey is a massive upward swing in competence.
3. Princess Leia is high in all three from the start, serving as an iconic hero whose stability highlights the growth of others.

You don’t need to max out all three pillars for every character. A villain might be low on likeability but so hugely proactive and competent that we can’t look away. The key is to be intentional about which pillars you are using to build your compelling characters.

(Conclusion)

Before you write another word of your plot, ask yourself:

1. How have I made the reader empathize with my main character?
2. What is their core motivation, and why should we root for them to achieve it?
3. Where does their arc begin, and what progress will they make by the end?

Master these three pillars, and you’ll move beyond creating mere characters on a page to building unforgettable people who will live in your readers' imaginations.