Characters are essential to storytelling. They drive conflict, provide a point of view for the story, and become the audience’s reason to stay rooted in the experience. But what kind of character are you writing to motivate your story?

There are two essential types of characters to understand when writing a story: dynamic and static characters. But what are these types of characters, why are they important, and—most importantly—how do you write them?

Let’s get into it!

Chris Evans as Captain America

What Is a Static Character?

A static character remains the same throughout the story. While the environment may change around them because of their actions, these characters retain the same personality and outlook they had at the beginning of the story.

Static characters are often confused with “flat characters.” While there is some overlap, they are not the same. Flat characters are one-dimensional, lacking depth, while static characters are well-rounded but unchanging. While all flat characters are static, not all static characters are flat.

A main character is rarely static, but it’s not impossible. Often, secondary characters in the story will be static.

Examples

Here are some notable examples of static characters:

• Roz in The Wild Robot: While Roz learns how to love, the robot stays the same throughout the story, influencing significant change on the island through her actions.
• Captain Hook in Peter Pan: The cruel and buffoonish pirate captain doesn’t change throughout the story as he threatens Peter Pan. Hook never learns any lessons or significant changes during his rise and fall as a villain.
• Captain America in The Avengers: There are different versions of Captain America in the media, but he is consistently depicted as a static character. His morals stay the same from story to story, even as he undergoes significant external changes.

Marlin in 'Finding Nemo'

What Is a Dynamic Character?

A dynamic character undergoes significant internal change throughout the story. Unlike a static character, dynamic characters often learn a lesson or evolve as a person, either for the better or worse.

Most main characters are dynamic, experiencing some form of change. Even if we don’t see their entire journey, many characters in your screenplay can be dynamic.

Examples

Dynamic characters can be compelling because they undergo significant changes shaped by the story’s conflict. Here are some examples to inspire your own dynamic characters:

• Marlin in Finding Nemo: Motivated by the tragedy in his life, Marlin must overcome his fears of the ocean to find his son, Nemo.
• Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter series: Neville starts as a frightened, awkward student but grows into someone willing to fight for what he believes in when confronted with conflict.
• Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Initially portrayed as a promising Jedi Knight, Anakin’s fear of loss and desire for power lead him to become the Sith’s apprentice.

Which Character Best Serves Your Story?

Dynamic and static characters serve different purposes in your story. Two aspects to consider when deciding whether your character should be dynamic or static are:

• Their role in the story
• Audience interest

If you’re writing a character-driven narrative, you’ll likely be writing a dynamic character. However, if your story needs the main character to stay true to themselves, then a static character might be a better fit.

Here are some tips to help you write the strongest dynamic or static character in your screenplay.

Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook in 'Peter Pan'

How to Write a Static Character

Writing a static character comes with its own challenges. While they may be easier to write compared to a dynamic character, static characters can struggle to keep the audience engaged because they lack a character arc.

However, there are ways to write a compelling static character that can hold the audience’s attention.

Find the Motivation

If a character isn’t going to change, the audience needs to understand why. Are they too stubborn, too cruel, or is it just part of their programming?

Developing a strong motivation for why static characters remain static is necessary to keep the audience invested in the character and their choices.

Crafting a Compelling Backstory

To understand a character’s motivation, it can help to understand their backstory. Captain America is a static character that many people love because, even before the super soldier serum, he wanted to serve his country and defeat the enemies threatening American values.

A backstory can help the audience understand the character’s motivation. The explanation doesn’t have to be drawn out, but it must make sense as to why the character doesn’t change.

Craft a Well-Rounded Static Character

This might sound contradictory, but rounded static characters drive the story forward with their actions. While they don’t change, they influence the world around them.

One way to implement change in the story is by writing a static character with a unique personality. For example, Roz in The Wild Robot is optimistic and kind, but despite the hardships she faces, her attitude never changes.

Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2'

How to Write a Dynamic Character

Most writers tend to write dynamic characters because they are interesting to watch as they evolve throughout the story. This type of character helps keep the audience invested, as we want to see what happens to them.

Here are some tips to consider when writing a dynamic character:

Know the Character’s Traits

Making a list of your character’s personality traits at the beginning of the story will help you identify which traits might change over the course of the story.

Make the Character Responsible for the Conflict

It’s easy to write a character who is a victim of circumstances, but a more compelling character is one who must face the consequences of their actions.

Why is their belief system being challenged? Why is this character being forced to change to overcome the conflict? Characters who cause the conflict are more likely to learn a lesson and evolve.

The Risk of the Conflict

A story is only as good as the stakes the characters face. Conflict creates stakes that bring characters to a breaking point, forcing them to confront their personalities and change.

Dynamic characters must reach a breaking point, which often serves as the story’s climax. Once they realize something important, the character can change and resolve the conflict.

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Knowing the type of character you want to write is crucial when outlining your project. Understanding the difference between static and dynamic characters will help you discover the central conflict and how your characters will overcome it.