Create Amazingly Developed Characters with SHADE

(Like making a two-dimensional pencil drawing jump off the page through contrast)

1. Strongly Characterized - Characters that want something specific. 
   • Like a character on a stage, communicate to the reader “This is what this character wants, and this is why they can't have it. Convey the tension this character is feeling right at this moment.” 
2. Highly Developed - The character’s backstory reveals their internal drives.
   • Well-thought-out stats and deeply developed backstories for main characters. Delve deep into their history to show what made them who they are, why they want what they want, while being relevant to their current choices and actions. 
3. Archetypal - The character draws on and taps into universal archetypes. 
   • The Innocent, The Caregiver, The Lover, The Sage, The Every-man, The Explorer, The Creator, The Magician, The Hero, The Jester, The Rebel, The Ruler. 
4. Deeply Inspirational  - Hook into the readers' motivation systems. 
   • Use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization.
5. Exhibits Identifiable human Flaws  - The character displays frailties everyone has.

Recommended Reading

1. The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass
2. The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 1) (The Collected Works of C. G. Jung) by C.G. Jung
3. Crafting Dynamic Dialogue: The Complete Guide to Speaking, Conversing, Arguing, and Thinking in Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials) by Writers Digest Books