Have you ever read a story where the characters were entirely flat? So boring you knew they couldn’t possibly be real? These are called “cardboard characters” which refers to those who have no personality.

Usually this won’t be a problem for your protagonist. There are exceptions, of course, such as when your story is so plot driven that the people populating it are simply moving it along. Even when this is the case, it’s important to make them real and relatable.

For your main characters, make sure they have likes, dislikes, and opinions so they act like real people. Let them come alive. Unique gestures and mannerisms help as well as a distinct appearance. Walk-ons or minor characters can be made to stand out in that manner as well.

They say good-looking people are less memorable because their faces are symmetrical. Think about those you remember, either in fiction or real life. Giving distinguishing features to your characters can make them more memorable as well.