Empathy: A Key Character Ingredient

One of the reasons we love fiction is because we want to experience and connect with the characters in the stories we read and the movies we watch. As writers, it’s our job to connect readers with the characters. But how do we do it?

One way is to build empathy. The amazing Michael Hague has some great tips on how to do this. I had the privileged of attending an early bird session with him at the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference a few years ago, and I learned so much in the five hours we had with him, including how to build empathy.

Here are four of his tips for connecting readers to characters.

1. Put the character in danger. This could be as simple as your character running through the halls, late for an important test, to running from the Russian mob intent on killing him. When we fear for his life and/or well-being, we immediately connect with him.

2. Make them likeable. Who doesn’t like Cinderella, or Jack Sparrow, or Forrest Gump? All these characters are either sweet, funny, or strong and steadfast. Give your character likeable qualities and when plot happens your readers will immediately empathize with him.

3. Make them highly skilled. Jason Bourne is one highly skilled dude. As we watch him trying to figure out who he is, all while avoiding death with his amazing abilities, we cheer him on. We want him to succeed, preferably in the coolest way possible. As Michael says, we are drawn to people who are masters of their craft. Make your character is good at something, we’ll respect her and want to see her succeed in the story.

4. Give your character flaws. Walter Mitty is a dreamer. He doesn’t have his life together and nothing seems to work out for him. He can’t even send a virtual wink to the girl he likes. When he’s faced with finding a lost film negative, he has to go on an incredible journey to overcome his flaw. He has to start living and interacting with the real world and he eventually becomes the hero he’s been dreaming of for all those years. Give your character a flaw that is universal, something we can connect with, and we’ll follow him all the way with empathy overflowing.

            However you build it, readers will have empathy when they see your character struggle to do the right thing and grow through the process, overcoming flaws and saving the day. And when readers have empathy, they’ll follow those characters all the way to “The End.”