The Memorable Character
George O’Malley and Meredith Grey (from tv show, Grey’s Anatomy)
In amazing stories, there’s always a character that stands out from the rest. The one that stands by and does everything possible to be the best they can be, therefore making the world just a little bit better than it once was. This character might be not significant at first. Over time, becomes heroic in their own way. They make an impression on the other characters. So much so when they are gone, they are never quite forgotten. The audience knows more about them than just the basic facts. They become relatable. Their words and actions can bring many different emotions. This character is always there when needed, and if they aren’t it’s for a reason. They are true, honorable, but not immune to weakness. Their strength comes from how much they care.
When we strive to create a memorable character, it makes the story come alive. The essence of the human condition. The one you root for to succeed. The one who you want there to be a happy ending, because they deserve it. Some times these characters don’t get their happy ever afters, and it adds a bit of realism back. People can’t stay forever, and neither can characters. There always has to be an ending somewhere because that’s life. It may be fiction, but these stories change us and make us realize that we have a chance to do more than we can ever imagine. We can get stuck in a rut, with emotions, and don’t know when your life will begin (again). Then you see or read a story, someone in your life does something special, or you’re reminded about your faith in something bigger than yourself. That’s when we make a change.
We try to make our lives worth living, not only for us but for others. Then something causes us to forget and we get distracted by the every day normalness that flows through our journeys. We have to continue to work for adventures and the ones who matter. It’s important to write a memorable character to impact the reader, but we have to remember we have the chance to be like these incredible characters every day of our lives. We just have to make the choice. We don’t have to be the one to save the day. You’ll find where you’re needed, and your place in the world. You’ve have the opportunity to help write your own story, and it’s more than the words on the page. We have to live life, explore different stories, and be open to the characters in your life. You never know, those experiences might inspire your writing. How can we know how to write the memorable character, if we never know them?
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