It may seem like a challenge to write characters wrong. We're all human after all, right? However, I think there are quite a few traps that are easier to fall into than we might think.
Writing characters with no motivation.
It's pretty straightforward to write based on the plot alone. External events can carry our characters away. This could be a choice (plot-driven stories are common). In my own experience, though, I've found that character-driven stories are the ones that stick with us. They're the books that make it big--especially when it comes to the young adult genre.
How do we avoid motivation-less characters? Make sure that every scene makes sense to what your character wants. Each scene should bring your character closer or farther from their goal, and it should have some level of emotional impact. Or, in other terms, we should be able to explain why the scene matters to the character.
This is just as important for secondary characters as it is to your main characters. If the MCs friends only exist to have conversations, they're going to fall flat on the page. Readers probably aren't going to connect much with them.
Too many characters.
As a general rule, there's technically no such thing as "too many characters." That is, as long as they all have a purpose and a reason for being part of the story.
Sometimes it can be hard to know when there are too many people on the page, but here are a few key signs:
The characters don't get enough time on the page to do what they need to. This could look like the main characters having a specific goal, but they never get to accomplish it because there are too many other competing storylines. It could also look like characters with nothing to do at all; they're simply existing on the page as another voice. If you find this is happening to you, I'd suggest taking a step back to look at what story you really want to tell. Who has the most interesting perspective? What are the main takeaways you'd like a reader to leave with?
Characters pop in and out or stop showing up altogether. This could look like a character only ever being named but still having some kind of storyline. Or they show up at the beginning and are never heard from again. At that point, they probably aren't integral to the story and could be removed entirely.
Readers start getting confused. This is going to be an excellent indicator. If you hand off a story to beta readers, and you get consistent feedback that certain characters meld together, or the readers couldn't keep each one straight with their goals and motivations, that's going to be a good sign that some revising--and possibly cutting--could be useful.
Not having a main character.
Even if your story is multi-POV, it is strongly recommended to have a main character. That doesn't mean you need to change the story to be told from a singular perspective, but it does mean there should be one character the story seems to revolve around. All other storylines from other characters tie back to this person's story. A good example of this is Celaena Sardothian (spoilers: later Aelin Galathynius) from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Although the series is told by multiple characters, everyone's stories are tied to the assassin's and help to further this main plot.
Inconsistency in thoughts/actions.
Characters should have consistent actions and thoughts when it comes to their arc. A character who is lovely but hates butterflies in the first chapter shouldn't suddenly be the mean girl with a passion for butterfly conservation in the second. This also means they should be consistent in the small details. They should have a specific reason for every decision they make that can be tied to their history. This can mean more legwork for us writers including digging into their past, but that's what makes these characters relatable.
These are just a few points that I see often. All of them can be easily avoided with some deep-diving into these people we pen on the page.
The last thing I want to touch on is writing representation. I'm not BIPOC, and, for that reason, I don't feel like the best authority to speak on this topic. So I've compiled some helpful resources below to consider when writing about those who have different lived experiences.
This article by Alexander Chee is a great place to start forming a foundation.
Here's another by Joiya Morrison-Efemini that talks about how to write various characters.
And one more by Leigh Shulman that focuses on why it's important to write diverse characters and some things to avoid if you do.
I hope this was helpful! Sometimes it can feel like a lot having to understand as much of our characters as we do, but it will only enrich our stories further to put in the work.
Happy writing,
Erin
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