Tips on Writing Non-Human Characters
- Kayjah Taylor
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Lately, I have been reading a ton of fantasy books that contain hybrid or non-human characters. It is one of the many things I adore about fantasy. The ability to breathe life into species and mythical creatures that (allegedly) don’t exist in our world.
Just like writing a human character, however, it isn’t enough to include physical features such as fur or fangs and clap yourself on the back. To make any character believable, there needs to be a balance. Readers still need to empathize and feel for your characters. Your characters need personality and background.
Here are some tips on how to make your non-human characters feel real and unforgettable
How Does Your Character Experience the World?
We all know humans have certain things that contribute to certain sensations. We hear a certain way, we touch, we feel, we interact with the world in a pretty similar fashion. Your non-human characters, because of their different senses and physical features, may experience something different.
Be sure to know how your characters interact with the world! Do they fly? Swim? Is their hearing sensitive or nonexistent? How do they see color? Can they echo-locate? These are the things I want to experience through characters!
You can also include instincts that may drive your character forward. For example, a vampire may be driven by hunger. A werewolf might act on their primal or aggressive instincts during a dangerous situation.
Allow your readers to experience these biological and environmental differences through their writing!
Redefine Emotions According to Characters
Just because your characters aren’t human, doesn’t mean they don’t experience emotion. They may feel differently, but it will still be there, and add to your characters’ depth and relatability.
What gives your character meaning? This question will be the basis for how your characters react and interact with the world. For a forest spirit, gratitude could look like a field of wildflowers. For a dragon, joy can look like a red and orange heat in their chest.
Translate their emotions through actions and reactions instead of simply saying what emotion they feel. Emotion derives from feelings such as connection, loss, and fear. Bridge the gap between species. Let your forest spirit mourn a forest fire and cry rain. Let your dragon set the fire after someone takes her eggs.
Experiment with Different Communication Methods
Perhaps a creature does not speak, how would you have them communicate with others? Perhaps their skin color shifts with their feelings. Maybe they use gestures in order to communicate. Maybe they give off a scent.
If your characters aren’t human uses a verbal language, what does it sound like? Is it garbled? Does their language sound smooth? How does their tone fluctuate?
The smallest language choice can contribute to the culture and (maybe) how ancient your creature is.
Use Difference to Reveal Moral Conflicts
Challenge the human experience and expectations!
The magic may be lost if your character seems too human. On the other hand, your reader may not relate to or love your character if they are too ‘alien’. The key is to find a happy balance. Give them a sturdy base. Logic, instinct, and personal morals can shape your characters. Just be sure they challenge that of humans. Those differences can create tension, reflection, and a wonder of the unknown.
Keep it Consistent
This is the most important part of any character, but is even more critical for one of nonhuman origin. Readers will accept most things as long as it follows some kind of logic, and is intentional.
Consistency in writing also builds trust between you and your reader. It lets your reader understand your creatures, and the rules they follow. For example, a creature that grew up in a hive-mind situation will make group decisions.
One other thing to remember is to keep the consistency, even if it is not convenient for the plot!
Writing a character who sees the world differently is so much fun to write and read about! It advances your storytelling and reminds us that familiarity does not have to be a driving force between characters.
I hope this post was helpful, and that you all have a lovely Saturday <3