Whether you\u2019re writing a full-length novel<\/a> or a short story<\/a> \u2014 no matter your word count<\/a> \u2014 this article is perfect for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I take you through all the steps to write good character development, I will end each short section with a 1-3 rating of whether the action is required (3), recommended (2), or simply to be considered (1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Links in this article may give me a small commission if you use them to purchase anything. There\u2019s no extra cost to you! This helps me continue to write these articles that you can always read for free.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Character development<\/strong> is how a character in a story moves a step forward (or backward) along their character arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A character arc <\/strong>is the overall trajectory of how a specific character changes, learns, and grows during the story<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A satisfying character arc<\/strong> is one where a character experiences genuine, believable change \u2014 often for the better and often evenly paced out through the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A character may become worse, but this change must satisfy the story\u2019s central theme. In other words, it\u2019s okay if the character doesn\u2019t grow as a person or experience something positive, as long as their change is believable within the story\u2019s greater context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is a well-developed character? <\/strong>A well-developed character is someone who has gone through multiple changes throughout the course of a story, leading them to either evolve or devolve as a result. A well-developed character often has all of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 4 types of character development (or lack thereof):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dynamic vs. static:<\/strong> A dynamic character changes<\/em>. A static character stays the same<\/em> throughout the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the main characters in a work of fiction should be dynamic characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Round vs. flat: <\/strong>A round character is fully fleshed out; you know a great deal about them. A flat character has no distinguishing characteristics or complex emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A round character can change (dynamic) or stay the same (static). A flat character usually stays the same (static) but might <\/em>change by the end of the story (dynamic), though a flat dynamic character is hard to pull off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every character needs character development or a character arc. However, your main character needs<\/em> a character arc. Your antagonist would benefit from one. Your main character\u2019s love interest should probably have one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basically, all your main characters should experience character development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you develop a strong character?<\/strong> You develop a strong character by giving them strengths, weaknesses, backstories, unique traits, several difficult choices to make, and an evenly-paced, satisfying character arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider starting your character creation with a unique trait \u2014 physical, idiosyncratic, mental, emotional, etc. Invent a character who will stick in the reader\u2019s mind because of their unique quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best unique traits contribute to a character\u2019s arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example 1:<\/strong> If your character loves money, and her arc ends with valuing family over money, her unique trait that you describe at her introduction could be a comically large purse, which she eventually misplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example 2:<\/strong> If your character plays too many video games, and his arc ends with selling his Playstation to feed a poor family, you could introduce him with notably calloused fingers juxtaposed to his otherwise soft skin. Have the poor family comment on his calloused fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beware \u2014 you don\u2019t want this single unique trait to define your character. You want it to enhance the overall character arc. Also, you do not want to write an insensitive stereotype of a character. You can start with a character archetype, but you should continue to weave complexity into the character after initially creating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of authors name their characters something significant. I recommend always <\/em>doing research on your character name, even if you don\u2019t care. It at least avoids an unnecessary meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A character name may reveal character, ethnic background, religion, time period, and other traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your character is a narcissist, you could name him Ovid. In history, Ovid wrote Metamorphoses<\/em>, which contains the original telling of Narcissus, from which we get the word narcissistic<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, if your character is obsessed with the stars or space, consider naming them Polaris or Orion or Vega.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t want your character\u2019s name to be too on the nose. An obvious name can turn a reader against you and make it feel like you\u2019re force-feeding them subtext and symbolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start writing, you should decide how your character will grow over the course of the story. Even if you only know the beginning and end of their character arc, that\u2019s a whole lot better than writing blind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t figure out how the character gets from the beginning to the end, don\u2019t worry. Let\u2019s start with the broad strokes, then narrow in on the meat of the story. For now, just determine the beginning and endpoints of your character arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe your character starts the story hating elves but ends the story realizing that elves are just like him in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe your character begins without regard for human life due to a tragic backstory but ends the story with a new appreciation for the miracle of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do this for every main character (each person in your story who features prominently).<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n Easy to use, and and full of amazing features, you can quickly turn your book into a professional book.<\/p>\n Check It Out<\/a> <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n You need to outline your story so that your character development is evenly paced, incremental, and believable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read my full article on How To Outline a Novel<\/a> for more in-depth info. Or read my article on The Best Software to Outline Your Book<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of you will hate me for saying this, but you need to jot down some sort of outline<\/em>. Whether it\u2019s a bare-bones skeleton outline or a detailed scene-by-scene outline, you need to order the progression of your story (and character arcs) before <\/em>writing your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of contents<\/h2>
What is character development?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Start with a unique trait.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Name your character something significant.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Decide how your character will grow.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Atticus](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Atticus.png\")
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4. Outline your story.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n