It’s better to write about a specific character whom one person can relate to, rather than a blank canvas type of character that the majority of people can insert themselves into…
There are great, bestselling books out there. However, when it comes to books that you can’t put down, it normally comes down to one thing: the characters. A lot of times we’re drawn to our favorite books because the characters resemble us.
Personally, such books for myself include: Martha Finley’s Elsie Dinsmore series, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Ruth M. Arthur’s Requiem for a Princess, and historical novels about governesses, to name a few. I love these books because I see myself in the pages.
As a writer, you won’t be able to create a character that resembles everyone, but you can catch the attention of a specific audience. Examples of such an audience can be: children who love dinosaurs, teens who don’t fit in with their peer groups at school, a college student trying to find their identity and passion, a single parent traversing life in a new town, a young widower trying out online dating apps, and more.
It’s better to write about a specific character whom one person can relate to, rather than a blank canvas type of character that the majority of people can insert themselves into–because your book will be cherished by this audience and stored as a prized possession, rather than chucked into the bin or given to the thrift store shortly after it’s been read. (My personal favorites have their own bookcase.)
As you create your next book, consider your characters and the audience they’ll resonate with. To help you get started, check out the Character section in my Novel Writing Kit.
Hope this helps! And as always, have fun reading and writing ^-^