Writing Better Characters with AI: The Secret Sauce ??

When I first started writing, my characters were… meh. ?? Flat. No spark, no soul. Imagine reading a book and feeling like the characters are made of cardboard — yep, that was my early work. I’d sit there, staring at my screen, begging my brain for ideas, and nada. But then, something clicked.

The secret? Asking the right questions. And guess what? Now, you can do this with AI (yes, like ChatGPT!). Let me show you how AI turned my writing game around and how it can do the same for you.

Why Even Use AI? ??

Let’s be real: writing isn’t always this magical, creative flow. Sometimes your brain just… clocks out. That’s when AI becomes your BFF. It doesn’t get tired, doesn’t judge, and (bonus points) never complains when you ask the same question ten different ways. ??

But first, let me hit you with a quick story.

The Day AI Rescued My Protagonist ??

There I was, totally stuck on my main character. Her backstory was blurry, her motives were all over the place, and honestly? She bored me. So, out of sheer desperation, I asked ChatGPT: “What would make someone become a vigilante?”

And AI delivered. It spat out ideas about family betrayal, broken justice systems, even quirky stuff like an obsession with detective novels as a kid. Then one line hit me like a lightning bolt: “What if she’s avenging a crime her family committed?”

Boom. The spark was back. My story had a heartbeat again.

How to Use AI for Character Glow-Ups ??

The magic happens when you ask AI the right stuff. Here are some prompts that’ll take your characters from zero to hero:

1. ??Backstory Magic: “What’s a life-changing event that could define [character’s name]?”
2. ??Quirky Habits: “What are five weird quirks [character’s name] might have?”
3. ??Deep Secrets: “What’s something [character’s name] would never admit to anyone?”
4. ?Relationship Drama: “How would [character’s name] react if their best friend betrayed them?”
5. ??Dialogue Practice: “Write a conversation where [character’s name] argues with their sibling about money.”
6. ??Motivation Vibes: “Why would [character’s name] risk everything for a stranger?”

Pro Tip: Add You to the Mix ??

AI’s answers are great, but don’t stop there. Put your own spin on them. Take what AI gives and make it yours.

Example? I once asked, “Why would someone hate authority?” AI gave me a list, and I ran with this one: a city official tore down their favorite treehouse when they were a kid. BAM! My character suddenly had depth, heart, and a motive that hit hard.

The AI-Human Tag Team ??

Here’s the thing: AI is the sidekick, not the star. It doesn’t know your personal struggles, your weird dreams, or that one plot twist you’ve been dying to write. It’s here to help you start. You’re the one who finishes the story.

Building better characters is all about asking questions, exploring ideas, and connecting dots that make them real. AI can’t replace your creativity, but it can nudge you out of writer’s block and spark fresh ideas.

Next time you’re stuck, open up ChatGPT. Ask it something random. Who knows? The next character your readers fall in love with might just be one prompt away. ??

Have you ever used AI to create a character? Or thought about it? Let’s talk in the comments — spill the tea! ???