Character Development

This week’s little tidbit is about character development. Ah yes, the literary chauffeurs of our stories. This is perhaps one the hardest parts of writing, the background stuff that people will never actually see, but realize the effect of. When developing a character, you should have a background for each main character in your story. You read that right, flesh out your characters and make them as real as humanly possible. Get it, see what I did there..humanly. I kill myself. I have a completely profile on all of my characters right down to their choice of music. In addition, they MUST have flaws, and goals. We all have them. If you wish to have people connect to your story then make your characters as authentic and identifiable as the proverbial person next-door.

When developing a character, it is so important that you be as detailed as possible. Yes, it is a great deal of work but on the end, it will pay off. Do they have a family? What was that family life like? What makes them happy/Angry? Look at what I have for my main characters. This is my actual template I use when developing my MCs. Pretty high-tech, right?

Writers will list a Butt-ton of detail about their characters in their book hoping it will endear the reader to their story. NO! The reader will be left wanting. Don't tell them, show them. All of these specifics can be explained throughout the story as other characters view each other. Create a solid back story for your characters, give them flaws and above all provides a goal that your character is working towards. This is something that the reader can get behind and go along with. This is something EVERYONE can I identify with. Present your character with a style of speaking. Everyone we know has their own way in which they communicate. That is what makes them the way they are. Are they quiet, Do they have that kick-ass take names style, etc. All of this makes your character authentic. If you cannot describe your character as if they were a real person, then you have work to do. This will help make writing your story much easier.

Trust your instincts when you write. Once you have created all of your profiles, and fleshed out all the little quirks for your story peeps you will know what they will and won’t do. Trust your instincts when writing. If the story that you are writing doesn’t seem to fit, or you are tentative in any way because you just don’t see it happening then DON’T write it. That is your character drumming you on the shoulder and saying “Hey, really? I would never do that”. Listen to your story.

Thank you again for all of the support everyone has given. I really appreciate it!! If you have a story you want to add to my Blog, please pass it along. i will definitely put it on here and ensure you get full credit. Take care!!!