There are a handful of different character types that show up again and again in almost all stories. Just look and you’ll find them!
They each have important roles to play and it’s worth the effort to learn what they are so we can use them effectively.
A few major characters you may recognize popping up again and again: protagonist/hero, antagonist/villain, sidekick/friend, love interest, mentor/confidant.
Others may be a bit trickier to spot, such as a foil character.
As we work on writing great characters, here’s a roundup of some great resources that break down what these characters are and what they should look like.
12 Types of Characters Featured in Almost All Stories – Reedsy
This article does a great job of breaking down the major different character types by both the character’s role (protagonist, antagonist, etc) and the character’s quality (dynamic, static, stock, etc). A good read with examples of each character type.
9 Character Types to Include in Your Story – Writers Cookbook
This takes another look at different character types by the roles they play in the story and makes note of where they may overlap at times.
9 Common Types of Fantasy Characters (With Examples) – Reedsy
Okay so since fantasy is the genre that I always gravitate toward, here are some examples of common characters with fantasy specific examples. I think there’s some truths that apply to other genres as well but it comes through the fantasy lens.
Can you identify all of these main character types within your favorite stories? What about in your work in progress? Is there a common character type you think has been overlooked?
