Have you ever read a story and felt the characters were paper-thin representations of real people who existed primarily to serve the plot?

We call these underdeveloped characters, and they’re the bane of reader engagement.

Underdeveloped characters lack depth, motivation, or backstory, leaving readers disconnected and indifferent. Crafting fully realized characters can seem daunting, but it’s a skill worth honing.

What Are Underdeveloped Characters?

Underdeveloped characters are like cardboard cutouts: they look the part but lack substance. They don’t have precise desires, fears, or conflicts, making it hard for readers to care about their journey. They might only exist to deliver exposition, act as plot devices, or fill stereotypical roles.

Fully developed characters, on the other hand, feel like real people. They’re flawed, complex, and active participants in their story. Readers are likelier to stay invested in your narrative when your characters are compelling. In contrast, underdeveloped characters can significantly undermine a story, stripping it of depth, emotional resonance, and authenticity. Here’s why.

• Lack of Emotional Engagement. Readers connect with stories through characters. When characters lack depth, motivation, or complexity, readers struggle to relate to them or care about their journeys. This detachment diminishes the story's emotional impact, making it harder for the audience to invest in the stakes.
  

• Unconvincing Plot Progression. Characters drive the narrative. The story may feel contrived if their actions or decisions feel forced, inconsistent, or poorly motivated due to underdevelopment. Events unfold without organic causality, leaving readers questioning the logic or believability of the plot.
  

• Flat, Stereotypical Archetypes. Underdeveloped characters often default to clichés or stereotypes, offering nothing fresh or memorable. These archetypes can make the story predictable and uninspired, reducing its ability to stand out or leave a lasting impression.
  

• Missed Thematic Depth. Well-rounded characters often embody or explore the story's themes. When characters lack dimension, the themes they represent may be diluted or unexplored, diminishing the narrative’s potential to resonate on a deeper level.
  

• Weak Interpersonal Dynamics. Relationships between characters are a cornerstone of compelling storytelling. If characters lack depth, their interactions may feel hollow or uninteresting, robbing the story of dramatic tension and emotional weight.
  

• Unrealized Worldbuilding. Characters are the lens through which readers experience the story world. When characters are underdeveloped, their world can feel as flat as their perceptions, conflicts, and experiences fail to bring it to life.

To avoid these pitfalls, authors should give characters distinct voices, flaws, and arcs, ensuring they serve as active, believable participants in the story. The narrative flourishes when the characters are fully realized, drawing readers into a compelling, immersive experience.

Three Examples of Underdeveloped Characters

1. The One-Note Villain: A bad guy who’s bad for no reason doesn’t inspire dread or intrigue. Imagine a villain whose only trait is being “evil.” Instead, give your antagonist a believable motive—maybe they’re trying to save their own family at any cost.
   

2. The Passive Protagonist: This hero seems to wander through the story, letting things happen to them. They lack agency. Instead, make your protagonist an active decision-maker, even if their choices are flawed. This keeps readers engaged with their struggles.
   

3. The Invisible Best Friend: A sidekick who only exists to agree with the protagonist adds little value. Flesh them out by giving them their own goals and challenges. This makes the world richer and more believable.

Why Character Depth Matters in Short Stories

In short stories, every word counts, so underdeveloped characters stand out like a sore thumb. Engaged readers connect with characters who feel alive, even in a brief narrative. Think of characters like anchors; they hold your readers firmly in the story's emotional core. Without them, your story risks becoming a forgettable plot summary.

When you invest time in character development, readers will laugh, cry, and root for your characters. The payoff? They’ll keep turning the page and returning for more of your stories.

Final Tips for New Writers

• Start with a Question. What does this character want, and why can’t they have it? Answering this gives you a foundation for conflict.
  

• Show, Don’t Tell. Instead of saying a character is brave, show them making a tough decision.
  

• Embrace Flaws. Perfect characters are bland and boring — they spoil the soup! — whereas imperfections make them relatable.

Take the time to breathe life into your characters. Make them interesting, give them depth, and refine them.

R