One of the most important moments in any story is the introduction of your protagonist. Whether it’s the first page of your novel or the first page of a new chapter, how you introduce your character can set the tone for everything that follows. A strong introduction immediately engages your reader, drawing them into the world you’ve created and making them care about what happens next.
Today, we’re diving into some practical advice on how to introduce your character in a way that grabs your reader’s attention and establishes a connection with them right away.
1. Start with Action
One of the best ways to introduce a character is through action. Instead of simply describing your character, show them doing something that reflects who they are. Action engages readers and gives them a sense of the character’s personality and their immediate situation.
Example:
Instead of writing: “John was a quiet man, always keeping to himself.”
Try: “John’s hands trembled as he twisted the key in the lock, trying not to wake the hallway neighbors. His breath was shallow, every sound amplified in the stillness of the dark.”
In this example, we learn something about John—he’s nervous. He’s dealing with a tense situation. Perhaps he’s scared of his neighbor. The reader feels immediately drawn into his world. Or he’s being sneaky and breaking into someone’s apartment.
2. Reveal Through Dialogue
Dialogue can be a great tool to introduce your character. What they say—and how they say it—can tell readers a lot about their personality, background, and motivations. Are they sarcastic, shy, assertive, or reserved? A well-crafted line of dialogue can instantly give your reader a sense of who they are.
Example:
Instead of telling us: “Emily was impatient and rude.”
Try: “You expect me to sit here and wait? That’s rich,” Emily snapped, glaring at the receptionist across the desk. “I’ve got better things to do than to sit in this circus.”
Emily’s words and tone reveal that she’s impatient, frustrated, and possibly a bit aggressive. The dialogue shows her attitude immediately without us having to be told directly.
3. Focus on the Senses
In order to make your character feel vivid and real, it’s important to bring them to life through sensory details. Describing how they experience the world around them—what they see, hear, feel, and smell—creates a more immersive introduction and gives readers a way to connect with them physically and emotionally.
Example:
Instead of: “He stepped into the room, his face pale.”
Try: “He stepped into the room, the musty scent of old books and mildew immediately hitting him. His eyes stung from the flickering light, and his chest tightened with a sense of impending doom.”
In this introduction, we don’t just learn that the character is in the room, we feel it with him—through his senses. His discomfort becomes ours, and we’re more likely to empathize with his situation.
4. Use Contrast and Juxtaposition
Introducing your character in a way that highlights the contrast between their inner state and external circumstances can make them more interesting and multi-dimensional. This contrast often makes the character feel more real—after all, we all have internal worlds that sometimes conflict with the world around us.
Example:
Instead of: “He was happy, walking down the street, enjoying the sunny day.”
Try: “He smiled as he walked down the sunny street, but there was a weight in his chest, a gnawing feeling he couldn’t shake.
This example shows the character’s outer joy while hinting at inner turmoil. It creates immediate curiosity—why is he smiling despite the inner conflict?
5. Create Mystery and Intrigue
Another effective way to introduce your character is by holding back some information, creating a sense of mystery or intrigue. Let the reader want to know more about who the character is, why they act the way they do, or what’s going on beneath the surface.
Example:
Instead of: “Mark was an ordinary man, no different from the others.”
Try: “Mark stood in the crowd, his eyes scanning the streets, looking for something, or perhaps someone. His fingers twitched near the pocket of his jacket, where a small, crumpled envelope lay hidden.”
By showing Mark’s behavior and giving us just a hint of something mysterious, we’re compelled to read on to discover what’s really going on with him.
6. Introduce Conflict Right Away
One of the best ways to get readers invested in your character is to introduce a conflict immediately. This doesn’t mean the character needs to be in a fight or facing a life-or-death situation, but there should be something—internal or external—that challenges them from the very beginning.
Example:
Instead of: “Sarah was waiting for the train.”
Try: “Sarah paced the platform, glancing at her watch. The train was late—again—and she was running out of time to make the call she’d been avoiding for weeks.”
Here, Sarah is immediately introduced with a sense of urgency and a problem to solve. The reader wants to know: What’s the call she’s avoiding? What happens if she doesn’t make it in time?
Conclusion: Crafting Memorable Introductions
When introducing your character in the first page of a chapter or book, think about how you can immediately draw the reader into their world. Use action, dialogue, sensory details, and contrast to show who your character is, rather than simply telling. Creating intrigue, mystery, or conflict will ensure the reader is hooked and wants to read on.
Remember, the first impression of a character is crucial. Take the time to make it impactful, memorable, and engaging. And as always, keep experimenting and refining until your characters come alive in a way that feels fresh, authentic, and unforgettable. Happy writing!
Until next time,
Joe Mynhardt
