What Are Flat Characters?

Flat characters are typically easy to describe using a single word or short sentence. For instance, someone might say that a character is 'a naive and idealistic school teacher with a fragile heart of gold.' But what does it mean when we call a character flat? The term 'flat' refers to one-dimensional or lacking in complexity.

In some stories, especially those driven by plot, even main characters can be flat. However, there are times when a character's role or importance demands more depth and complexity. When this happens, you may need to spend time rounding out their characterization.

But don't worry – there are no hard and fast rules in writing. Readers only want to bond with important characters, so you risk confusing, overwhelming, or boring your audience if you overdo it. In this article, we'll explore the differences between flat and round characters.

Not all flat characters are bad, and some skilled authors use them effectively. However, most poorly written characters are flat, lacking in detail, personality, or backstory. As a writer, it's essential to give your readers enough information about your characters so they can fall in love with them.

So, what's the solution? You might need to improve or rewrite your flat characters to make them more engaging and believable. But don't worry – flat characters have important roles to play in stories. Having one in your story means you haven't done your job as a writer. A flat character is not necessarily a bad character; it's just a sign that there's room for improvement.

Overall, understanding the concept of flat characters can help you create more complex and engaging stories. By learning how to use flat characters effectively and transforming them into round characters when necessary, you'll be able to craft a narrative that will captivate your readers.

What are flat characters