Why Ordinary People Make the Best Crime Fiction Characters
The use of ordinary people in crime fiction is built upon several strengths. The primary strength is the ability to create a connection between the reader and the character. If a reader can relate to the characters in terms of their daily concerns such as financial struggles, family problems, job-related issues, or public reputation, then the reader will develop an emotional connection with the characters.
This emotional connection is created by the fact that the characters appear to be common individuals who are doing things that we do on a regular basis. Therefore, if something happens to these characters (i.e., a crime occurs), the reader imagines how he/she would react in the same situation. This is a significant contributor to creating tension in the story and the reader continues reading to find out how the character reacts to the situation and how the story unfolds.
Another benefit of the ordinary characters used in crime fiction is the shock factor. When violence and/or deceit occur, it tends to be much more shocking and disturbing when it occurs in a non-threatening environment. For example, a murder in a quiet village, a betrayal in a marriage or a crime committed by someone whom nobody suspected of committing a crime, creates a sense of believability and therefore, the impact is greater.
An additional benefit of ordinary characters is the ability to utilize contrast in the narrative. A loving mother with a violent background or a polite school teacher with a deadly secret is shocking to readers due to the fact that it is perceived as challenging their assumptions. In addition, the belief that evil can reside behind smiling faces and polite conversation is far more terrifying than a clearly identifiable villain.
Finally, the motivations for the actions of ordinary characters tend to be understandable to the reader. Such common human emotions as fear, jealousy, desperation, love, shame, or greed cause ordinary characters to engage in behaviors that result in crimes. Although the reader may not condone the crime, the reader understands how the character arrived at this decision-making process and therefore, develops a deeper understanding of the motivations involved. Additionally, the reader recognizes that this type of behavior is representative of real human nature; therefore, the story does not present the good vs. evil dichotomy in a simplistic manner.
Imperfect Characters Create More Compelling Stories
Perfect characters are typically boring. Ordinary people have flaws, contradictions, and blind spots. As a result of these flaws, they make mistakes, misjudge other people, and behave impulsively under pressure. As a result, these flaws lead to plot development and create conflict.
In crime fiction, flaws often result in vulnerabilities. A character's need for approval, fear of exposure, or unresolved trauma can cause them to make poor decisions. Furthermore, the character's flaws make the investigation of the crime more complicated and realistic, since the truth rarely presents itself clearly.
Ordinary Places Become Part of the Story
When authors focus on ordinary people, their environments become important parts of the story. Ordinary places such as villages, workplaces, housing developments, and family homes all provide a backdrop for the story. In many cases, the setting provides clues to the characters' backgrounds and lifestyles.
Readers appreciate recognizing the ordinary settings in crime fiction because they seem to represent "real" places where ordinary people live. The transformation of these ordinary settings into a place of crime creates a sense of unease and reinforces the notion that there is no completely safe place.
Ordinary People Represent the Real World
Crime fiction has historically provided a way for authors to explore the complexities of society. Because ordinary people are so relatable, crime fiction allows authors to examine societal issues such as class, power, reputation, race, gender, and justice in a way that is less obvious than traditional commentary.
Ordinary people, placed in extraordinary circumstances, enable authors to ask questions about how society protects certain people while ignoring others. These types of stories resonate with readers because they are representative of the world that readers recognize, rather than a highly exaggerated or fantastical representation of the world.
The Most Memorable Characters Are Relatable
Ultimately, ordinary people make the most effective crime fiction characters because they remain in the minds of readers. They can be people that you might pass on the street or say hello to at the grocery store. Their choices, fears and secrets stay with readers long after the last page.
Realism Creates Tension
The ultimate key to keeping readers engaged is to make the characters in your story feel real. When the danger faced by the characters feels real to the reader, the reader is more likely to continue reading the book.