How to Write Large Casts of Complex Characters in Adventure Fiction: Full Guide and 7 Step Process
Updated: Jul 28

How to Write Large Casts of Complex Characters
To write large casts of complex characters with their own personalities and inter-dynamics are a staple of the action-adventure genre. But writing a large cast of characters well can be scary, to say the least. There are a lot of balls that need to be kept in the air at all times, and for many authors, it can feel super overwhelming.
In this article, we will explore the critical elements of writing a large cast of characters in adventure fiction, including how to overcome some of the most common challenges and how to craft interesting dynamics between all your great characters to keep readers engaged and loving it.
Not only do you need to keep all of these characters straight, but with so many personalities to juggle, it can be easy to lose track of the small pieces of who's doing what, where, and when.
This is where outlining comes in. By developing each character's backstory, motivations, and personality traits, you can create a cast of characters that feel distinct and memorable.