“The key to successful fiction is characterisation.”

Characters make literature worth reading. If we did not care about these imaginary constructs, we would not care about what was happening either. As most commentators point out, plot, character and setting are so deeply intertwined, that we cannot really have any one without the others. The development of character forms the single, most important element of literature, and the way in which we respond to the character has a major influence on our interpretation and response to the text.
For example, try to imagine the short story “As Boys to Wanton Flies” by Michael Wilding, without the development of the protagonist, Lionel. Effective characterisation is the key to successful fiction.

Characterisation is the technique used by an author in the presentation of characters in literature. Characters are revealed by their dialogue, actions, appearance and by their interaction with others. Characterisation is achieved in much the same way as we become acquainted with people in real ...