How do you introduce a new character?
“You may have already done this, but how would you write a character’s introduction?”
The old adage, “Never judge a book by it’s cover” applies to more than just books. First impressions matter, both in life and in fiction. The way a writer introduces a character can make or break how you connect with them, because it sets the tone for their character for their entire plot journey.
When you meet people in real life, you will always make an on-the-spot judgement about them. Whether the encounter is dramatic or completely mundane, there is always an impression that person makes. These impressions can vary from the emotional to the physical and say as much about you as it does about them. And that carries over into how you introduce a new character too.
What impression do you want to make?
To have an impactful introduction, you first need to know who your character is. What type of person are they? What are their goals, motivations, and conflicts? Once you know that, you’ll know what kind of impression you want to leave your reader with.
For example, if your character is mysterious, you might have them lurk in the shadows, leaving a suggestion of who they are without an outright introduction. If they’re outgoing and charismatic, their entrance might be more dramatic and loud. A shy character could be introduced quietly, maybe even through being observed by others. The trick is to make sure that their introduction aligns with both their personality and their role in the story.
Make it count
Your character’s introduction is your reader’s first impression. It’s the proverbial cover to the book of their life. While you don’t need fireworks and fanfare, you do need to make that moment count. Here’s some practical tips to help you do just that:
Show them in action
One of the most effective ways to introduce a character is to show them doing something that reveals their personality.
Instead of telling readers about their traits, let them see those qualities in action. Are they helping someone in need? Solving a problem? Creating chaos? These actions will speak volumes about who they are.
Use meaningful details
When describing your character for the first time, choose details that matter. Rather than giving a reader a catalogue of their appearance, instead, focus on distinctive features or mannerisms that hint at their personality or background. A character’s worn-out running shoes might tell us more about them than a detailed description of what they’re wearing or what colour their hair is.
Create context
Where and when we meet a character matters. The setting and circumstances of their introduction can reveal the role they play in your story, as well as their relationship to the world you’ve created.
If we first see a character with their friends in a busy café we’ll get an impression of their sociability, which is a completely different impression than if they were discovered alone in an abandoned building.
Common pitfalls to avoid
The mirror moment
A common thing that inexperienced writers do is try to front-load their character description at the beginning of their story by having a character look at their own reflection in a mirror and describe what they see. This is so common it’s become a cliché.
The reason this is such a bad way to introduce a character is that it doesn’t tell us anything real, and it comes across as unnatural. We look at ourselves in mirrors every day, and we don’t constantly catalogue every part of our physical bodies. We may notice if something has changed, or if we’ve put in the effort to look particularly good, but in general, looking in a mirror is something we do in passing. It also means that the first impressions of a character for the reader will be based only on their looks. And there should be more to your characters than just how attractive they are.
Information overload
It’s so easy to fall prey to the dreaded info dump, but you must resist the urge to tell readers everything about your character at once!
Just like getting to know someone in real life, your readers want to get to know your characters gradually. You need to give them an impression of who a character is so they want to learn more about them as the story progresses.
Irrelevant details
When you introduce a new character, you should do so with intention. Everything you include, you serve a purpose. If you’re mentioning their eye colour, it should matter to the story or reveal something about their character. If it doesn’t add value, leave it out.
This is the kind of advice that is often taken out of context. You can absolutely give descriptions so that there’s an impression of your character. I would argue that this adds value. But not every description and every detail does. It’s up to you to really sit down and interrogate your own writing to find what is relevant for a reader to know at that time, and what isn’t.
Quick tips to effectively introduce a new characters
- Open with a bang: whether subtle or dramatic, make the introduction memorable.
- Be selective: choose specific, meaningful details that serve your story.
- Open up a mystery: leave readers wanting to know more about your character.
- Be relevant: make sure your character’s introduction fits your story’s tone and pacing.
- Show their personality: how a character interacts with the space around them as well as other characters can reveal who they are.
Questions to ask yourself:
When you come to introducing a new character, there are some handy questions you can ask yourself:
- What’s the first thing a reader should know about this character?
- How does this introduction fit into their role in the larger story?
- What impression do you want the character to leave readers with?
- How much of a mystery should your character be after this introduction?
- What makes this character unique or interesting?
Remember, you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. The goal isn’t just to describe someone new. You want to make readers care enough to follow their story.
