The single most important story element that keeps readers engaged is the main character. On that basis, the protagonist should be developed into an understandable, relatable and if possible, likable character. To a lesser extent, this is often true for other key characters like the antagonist.
Character Development
One of the earliest stages of planning a well developed character involves highlighting the different dimensions of a character. However, it is worth saying that, while writers want to create characters that are as fully developed as possible, only dimensions that can support the
theme and demonstrate the
character arc need to be revealed.
The most common dimensions used in character development include the following.
- Character Flaws: Character flaws are generally considered to be the basis for the most powerful character arcs. They often involve issues like fears, unethical viewpoints, an inability to overcome bad experiences and other internal conflicts. Creating flaws that directly impede a character's ability to achieve her goals are particularly compelling. Besides, imperfect people are generally more intriguing and therefore make more relatable characters. They require some change.
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- Character Idiosyncrasies & Mannerisms: Character Idiosyncrasies add intrigue and even humour to otherwise dull, overly predictable characters.
Example: In the Wallace & Gromit movie The Curse of the Were Rabbit, the vicious antagonistic dog carried a little pink purse with a dainty clip.
Example: In Amadeus, Mozart's silly laughter helped to highlight what Salieri saw as Mozart's irreverent use a divine gift of talent. Salieri saw it as God's laughter at him. To Salieri, God was mocking him despite his (Salieri's) reverence, lifelong sacrifice and pacts with God to develop at least a fraction of that talent. Although its repetition was a reminder of the reason that Salieri wanted to kill Mozart, it characterizes Mozart as silly and unworthy of a great gift.
- Character Background: This may involve some demographic details as the following.
- Education
- Occupation, Socioeconomic background
Example: In My Fair Lady, the fact that Professors Higgins and Pickerin are highly educated linguists who have friends in high places provides the contrast required to understand their contemptuous behaviour towards Eliza Doolittle, a poor 'common flower girl' whose uneducated speech makes a lady from the high society faint.
- Physical appearance: Physical appearance should be given with vivid descriptors that engage the readers' senses to create a character that is tangible, visible, audible and so on. Use descriptors that are unique to characters, ie are unusual.
Example: Rumplestiltskin had unusually long hair.
Example: Austin Powers was short and had a very hairy chest and bad teeth.
- General Temperament:
- Culture & Key Points of View: Politics, Religion, Values
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- Likes, Dislikes & Hobbies:
- Goals: It is very important to highlight the character's hopes & dreams. This allows readers to understand the basis for characters' actions and measure characters' progress.
- Ghost: The character’s ghost, ie some mysterious baggage in the past gives characters depth and develops suspense that creates questions (a suspense device) in the minds of readers.
What's Next?
After this character development stage, consider these steps in the following order.
However, before moving on, consider the following aspects of character development while tackling the action points in this post.
Additionally, by this character development stage of your writing plan, you should have already completed the following steps.
Once Upon a Writing Block