However, a type of character that by its very nature receives far less attention, but can crucial to a story if not quite as important, is the flat character.Īs the name implies, a flat character is far less developed than perhaps others in the story will be but can serve a variety of purposes in both narrative, meaning and to develop the other characters around them.

And with this, a writer is generally judged upon how well they can shape and mould these characters into as vivid and whole people as fiction will allow. No doubt everyone reading this is familiar with main characters, second leads, recurring characters, etc.

One way to do this, is to break down the different types of characters that will feature in the tale. Understandably this can be a daunting task and given the quite literally endless number of options to choose from combined with the various criteria to decide upon, any help to simplify this process and provide extra insight is likely to be welcomed.

When a writer embarks on telling a story, perhaps the first port of call alongside crafting the plot is to develop the characters.

Flat character reading definition