Let’s face it, as a writer, you’ve probably spent way too many hours trying to figure out the perfect backstory for your characters—only to realize that it’s 3 AM and you still don’t know if your protagonist likes coffee or tea. You’ve got a story to write, but who has time to spend weeks developing complex, tortured souls? Guess what? You can create well-rounded, deep characters in no time with a few simple techniques.

Here’s how to do it in just five steps that won’t make you lose sleep (or your sanity):

1. Give them a clear goal

Every character needs something they’re chasing, whether it’s world domination, a good cup of coffee, or saving the world from an impending alien invasion. This goal drives their actions and motivations and will keep your plot moving forward. If you’re unsure what your character wants, archetypes can help! Take a basic archetype—like “the mentor,” “the rebel,” or “the underdog”—and tweak them to fit your story. This gives you a solid foundation, saving you from endless soul-searching about your character’s purpose.

2. Give them an internal conflict

External conflicts are great (who doesn’t love a good car chase?), but it’s internal conflict that really makes your character feel human. What’s the tension between what your character wants and what they need? Maybe they’re after power but feel guilty about how they’re getting it. Or they have a deep-seated loyalty but are also craving personal growth. You can also deepen this conflict by contrasting them with another character—someone who challenges their beliefs or actions. This sets up a battle of wills that reveals your character’s internal world without the need for a 50-page internal monologue.

3. Give them a dark secret

Every character has something they’re hiding—whether it’s a long-lost secret, a questionable past, or just that one time they ate all the cookies and blamed it on the dog. A dark secret doesn’t have to be a major plot point, but it can add intrigue. Maybe it’s something they’re hiding from the world, or even from the reader. Whatever it is, it should shape how they interact with others and create mystery, even if it’s never fully revealed. Think of it as the “unspoken thing” that adds depth without the need for a detailed backstory. A little mystery can go a long way.

4. Give them a crisis

Now, here’s where the magic happens: put your character in a crisis. Forget the long, drawn-out history of their troubled childhood. Focus on their reaction to a high-stakes situation. Maybe it’s a betrayal, a sudden loss, or even just a bad breakup. How they react will tell you everything you need to know about their core personality. You can also combine this with an irreversible decision—something that will change them forever. Should they choose love over their career? Is there a moral decision that will haunt them? This moment anchors their emotional development, revealing who they are at their core.

5. Give them a voice

Try freewriting a scene or conducting an imaginary “interview” with your character. Ask questions like: “What’s your biggest regret?” “What do you fear the most?” And let them  do the talking. This can help you quickly tap into your character’s emotions, personality, and backstory without taking weeks of brainstorming. Dialogue is one of the quickest ways to show your character’s personality. How do they speak? Are they sarcastic, measured, or impulsive? How do they talk when they’re stressed, happy, or annoyed? Their voice should feel authentic, not forced.

Conclusion

You don’t need to spend weeks crafting a detailed backstory to create a deep character. Focus on giving them a clear goal, a juicy internal conflict, a voice that feels natural. These simple strategies will help you create complex, multidimensional characters in no time, so you can get to the fun part: writing the actual story.