Character and Archetype: How to Make Readers Fall in Love with your Imaginary Friends

One inescapable fact about our species is that we're social animals: people are at the center of our universe. We have a long history of trying to understand the natural world by personifying its aspects. That's why believable characters make or break our stories.

A novel, however, is not a portrait. What readers really want is to see how interesting characters act and transform themselves over the course of your story.

This guide explores the structural underpinnings of character…