Most flat characters only have one or two characteristics or personality traits, and they lack depth and don’t defy the simple formulas that define them.

They have one- or two-dimensional personalities and are relatively uncomplicated. Related: How To Become an Author What is a flat character?Ī flat character is a simple character. As circumstances change around them, round characters may change and apply different parts of their personalities to unique situations. Round characters also may surprise audiences without losing credibility, allowing them to shock audiences without doing something out of their nature or damaging the audience's trust. These characters can change during the story. Most main characters in stories are round characters. They have genuine desires to do things, and their rich, well-defined personalities often include conflicting characteristics, helping the story to progress. These characters have multidimensional personalities and distinct motives, flaws, qualities and backgrounds. What is a round character?Ī round character is a complex character. In this article, we define round and flat characters, describe some differences between the two and offer some examples of when you may use these character types in your writing. Two types of characters you can create are round and flat characters, and if you're a writer or want to become one, it's important to understand the differences between the two. While many popular fictional characters are complex and multi-dimensional, effective storytelling often involves creating a variety of characters to support the plot fully.

Fictional stories involve engaging plots with interesting characters that audiences connect with and find compelling.

Flat round character definition