Mastering Character Development: A Guide for Aspiring Writers

Any piece of writing, whether it be fiction or not, is only as good as the depth of characters that inhabit it. Characters are the heart and soul of a story. Characters can make or break a book. So how the hell do you write compelling, three-dimensional characters? Here are some tips to help you master the art of character development.

It starts with backstory

No matter how much of a character's background is revealed (or not) in a piece of writing, having a fleshed-out backstory is crucial. A character's background and personal history shapes everything they say and do, so the more you, as the writer, know about each of your characters' backgrounds, the better you'll be equipped to write them as fully fleshed out, three dimensional beings. Even non main characters should have a backstory, even if it's not connected to the main plot.

Things to consider:

• Personal history What significant events shaped their life?
• Family background How did their upbringing influence their worldview? Think about your own family and friends.
• Past relationships What past friendships, romances, or rivalries have impacted them?

Define clear goals and motivations

You have to know what your character wants, and why they want it. Every person ever, has motivation. There is something that drives them to do what they do. It is an essential part of being a human. The more you know this, the stronger your characters will be.

Things to consider:

• Short-term goals What immediate objectives are they striving for?
• Long-term Aspirations What are their ultimate dreams or ambitions? it?
• Conflicts What obstacles are in their way?

Develop Distinctive Traits and Flaws

A person's flaws are what makes them real. People are imperfect, complicated, and messy. Your characters should be too. Give them quirks, habits, and flaws that make them unique and interesting. Does your character swear too much? Do they dance around when they're happy? Think about people you know. Observe people in your everyday life. What do they do? How loud do they laugh? What do they do when they're nervous?

Personally I think flawed characters are the best characters. I much prefer a complex and complicated villain who is flawed, than a perfect hero who is boring. Flaws make characters interesting. They make them relatable. They make them human.

Change, evolution, arcs

The only constant change. People change. They grow. They evolve. Your characters should too. A character who is the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning is a boring character. They should learn, grow, and evolve over the course of the story. They should face challenges, make mistakes, and learn from them. They should be different people at the end of the story than they were at the beginning. This is what makes a character arc. This is what makes a character interesting.

Show, Don’t Tell

Yes, that old advice, are you sick of hearing it yet? A character's background and traits and flaws shouldn't just be told. They should be revealed through shared experienced. .

Any quetions?

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