Hello! Welcome to the next post in my writing craft series. For this one, we’re talking about character development! I know there are 1000000+ different recommendations on how to make a satisfying and realistic character. This post doesn’t aim to replace them, but to give you another way of looking at character development that you may not have thought of before, just like my worldbuilding tips.
With that, let’s begin!
1. Why Them?
Starting off strong with an important question you have to answer. Why this character? What makes them special, or not special? Why are they the one that you’re using to frame the story?
There are a number of tropes your character might fit that help answer this question. The Chosen One, the Antihero, the Anime Protagonist: Dead Mom edition… they are all tried and true tropes for a reason. Rather than use one of those, try taking a different path. Instead of the Chosen One, why not the aggressively average person in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or a character whose family is alive and well and they need to take care of a younger sibling? There are so many unique people in the world, with unique stories. Find the one that fits YOUR story the best.
2. Give Them Something Tangible, and Intangible
Okay. Hear me out on this one. With my characters, I always give them two things of mine. A tangible thing that they can hold, carry, or wear, and an intangible thing that helps drive their social interactions. You’ve heard the old adage of “write what you know.” Well, what do you know better than yourself?
The tangible item gives you an idea of what they value. I gave one of my main characters a worn pair of combat boots that I wore almost every day during university. Those boots went with her from Chicago, into Faerie, and back. Even when she was kitted out with armor, a sword, and a shotgun, she still had those boots. Given that this particular character came from a lower class background, it makes sense that she would hang on to a pair of boots that have definitely seen better days.
The intangible item helps drive social interactions. This can be a personality trait, a memory, a neurodivergency, a want, a fear, or more. If you have a history of being bullied, giving a character that history will make them suspicious and guarded. Have a lovely memory of the beach? Maybe your character misses the ocean and is always dreaming of it. There are lots of things in your life that you can draw on to add depth to a character and their interactions.
3. They Want to Say Something… and Absolutely Cannot Say It, No Matter What.
This is actually a piece of advice that I got a while back that I’m passing on. Your character wants to say something. They desperately want to say it.
They absolutely cannot say it. No matter what.
This advice has everything to do with character motivation. It’s about the yearning! Who or what are they yearning for? Why can’t they have it? What are they willing to do to get it? Give your character something they are willing to bleed for, and they will feel much more rounded.
To sum up…
Creating thoughtful, well-rounded characters can be a challenge. Making someone readers connect with is difficult, even for the most experienced writers. By breaking down the process into a few simple questions, your characters can feel more complete, and push your story from good to great.
Avery Carter 