Why Should I Create Reader Sympathy With Characters In My Novel?

It is important to make your reader feel sympathetic with the characters in your novel as otherwise they will not finish the book. The character does not need to be a typically good or kind person, but there needs to be a human element apparent that makes the reader understand the situation and sympathise with them.

For instance, the character could be a robber that kills someone in the process of a robbery. However, if the character was a single mum with 3 children she had to feed, who had suffered long term abuse from a partner and had no other option, the reader would see a different side of the character and feel sympathy for the situation. This is because the character is made humane. As conflict after conflict arises, the reader will understand why the character behaves the way they do, and will also begin predicting their actions. This means the reader will be gripped and will want to read on.