Character Typecast: Why Some Voices Stick With Us

Have you ever noticed how some authors seem to write the same kind of main character over and over again? As writers, we’re often drawn to specific personalities, voices, or emotional journeys that resonate with us on a deeper level.

Jane Austen tends to write intelligent, witty, observant, morally grounded, and often socially contrained women in her books. Her main characters are written as strong-minded and skeptical of social norms, especially when it comes to marriage and class.

Hemingway’s characters are ususally emotionally reserved, self-reliant men who are often dealing with existential or wartime trauma. They display courage and grace under pressure, while rarely expressing vulnerability.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the kinds of characters I’m naturally drawn to when I sit down to write, and I realized they tend to share some striking similarities.

My Characters

For the past two years, I have been focusing on my main character, Piper from my Piper books. She is a very independent and stubborn girl who sometimes struggles with expressing herself. Yes, I did base Piper on myself (They always say write what you know).

I’ll confess, I do have a running theme of writing female characters in this way. But when I had writer’s block a few months ago, I tried different writing exercises to get me back into productive writing. It took me out of my comfort zone! I had to ask myself: how do I get into the mind of someone who thinks completely differently from me? It was a challenge—but now, I'm no longer afraid of writing characters I'm not used to. As I move through a story, I get to watch these unfamiliar characters unfold in ways that surprise me.

So, if you are looking to step outside of your comfort zone, try one of these tips below.

Tips for Writing Characters Outside Your Usual Type

1. Identify Your Patterns
   Start by honestly examining the characters you usually write. Are they often sarcastic loners? Quiet geniuses? Reluctant heroes? Naming your comfort zone helps you step out of it.

2. Switch One Core Trait
   Take a character archetype you love and change a single core trait. Maybe your usual stoic protagonist becomes impulsive. This subtle shift can open up new dynamics.

3. Write from a Different POV
   Try writing a scene from the perspective of a side character you normally wouldn’t focus on—like the antagonist, the comic relief, or the background figure with a mysterious past.

4. Use Character Prompts
   I tried writing prompts and it helped me consider personality traits, flaws, or backgrounds I wouldn’t naturally create. I’ve created a few below for you to try.

   1. Rewrite a scene with a familiar character, but change one major trait (e.g., brave becomes fearful, patient becomes impulsive).

   2. Create a character who is your complete opposite and answer five interview questions in their voice.

   3. Write a short scene from the perspective of a side character observing your protagonist.

5. Study Real People
   Observe or interview people who are very different from you. How do they think, react, or speak? Use that as inspiration to build more layered and diverse characters.

Try For Yourself

Challenge yourself: write a quick scene today starring a character who scares you—not because they’re terrifying, but because they’re completely outside your norm. Then, share what surprised you. Growth as a writer often starts where your comfort zone ends.