When it comes to character, the goal is to create someone who is going to capture the reader's attention.
If you're writing a novel, you'll likely have several key players, and they will all need to sound different from the next. Otherwise, you're at risk of confusing the reader.
When brainstorming your character list, think about the key characteristics of each one. What is their gender? What is their age? Where are they from? How educated are they? What is their general attitude toward the world? What's their attitude toward the other characters?
All of these are going to affect them profoundly.
Character One is a woman in her fifties. She is a literature instructor at the local university, and her husband has just left her for a younger woman. Both of her children are out of the house. An elderly neighbor drops by Saturday mornings with items from her garden or newspaper clippings of interest, and the woman can't decide if this annoys her or if she appreciates the companionship.
Character Two is a male in his early twenties. He dropped out of high school to move to the beach. He loves his job at the local dive bar and that he has time to surf during the day. He's never met a stranger.
Think about how differently these two are going to interact with the world and the people in it.
These differences need to come across on the page: in their dialogue, in their reactions, in everything they notice.
Why? Because the more specific and varied your cast of characters, the more real they will seem. The more real they seem, the more memorable your story will be for the reader.
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
