How to do Character Development

Character development can be boiled down to a process that helps your characters feel real. Establishing motives, backstory, and evolution through the story helps your readers resonate with your characters. Internal conflict, flaws, strengths, and personality all coalesce to form something that feels tangible and impactful to the reader. The real challenge in how to do character development lies in avoiding flat, interchangeable characters.

When Frank Met Lucy('s Challenge)

Lucy came in to the kitchen, where her dad, Frank, was making himself a snack. The day had hit him with everything it had. There were family issues, work issues, and some bills he meant to pay the day before but had not managed to get to. All he wanted to do was have a bite to eat and call it a day.

Lucy was not concerned about any of these things. She was fourteen... a very young fourteen. She was determined to write a story, and she knew just the person to help her with it.

"Hey, dad. What'cha doing?" The question was not a sincere question. It was an ice-breaker. She was not nearly as concerned about what he was doing, and more concerned about him finding out what she had in mind.

"Grabbing a bite to eat. Do you want anything?" His question was just as mechanical, and was completely directed at putting something on a plate for her, so he could retreat to bed.

She handed him a list of names. A rather long list of names, as it turned out. Excitedly she said, "Yes! I want to write a story about these characters!"

No story. No plot. No ideas about what the writing would be about, other than a list of names on a fourteen year old girl's imaginary dream-board. Frank inwardly groaned. It came out more as a dismissive, "hmm..." As in, "Nope. No thank you. " He believed that his fourteen year old daughter would do little more than plug herself into a scenario, with no thought for why, or what might come next, and simply begin splashing words on paper like a poorly done abstract painting.

At the time, he had no idea how to even approach the issue with her, let alone present her with a remedy. Little did he know this would be the very first seed to be sewn, which would lead to a completely revolutionary way of how to do character development.

How to do Character Development Without Writing About Yourself

When developing characters, it can be hard to reach past your own frame of reference. (After all, how does one come up with ideas he or she has never thought up before?) Failing to be intentional about not relying upon one's own experience and perception can end up resulting in characters who react to problems just like that author would. Stamping out the same character over and over may feel like the path of least resistance, but it may result in the story feeling bland and unchanging.

Main characters who are clearly self-inserts in a story can be a common pitfall of weaker writing. This kind of approach in writing can ingrain the intended beauty with unnecessary flaws. Readers may quickly grow disinterested, and wander away in frustration because of an overpowered character. Readers tend to abandon characters who face no real obstacles or significant repercussions from their actions.

Another writing flaw that drives readers away can be stereotypical characters. Characters written as stereotypes are often the result of an author who made a vague attempt to write beyond themselves, but didn't take the time to get to know their character or truly understand them. The final product ends up being a shallow character with little depth or motives, which makes them feel superficial.

Avoiding Cookie-Cutter Characters while Learning How to do Character Development

When Lucy started out to write a story, she had absolutely no idea where to begin. She only knew she wanted to begin. When she and Frank finally sat down to discuss some of these challenges, they began this journey, which would not only lead to some deep self-discovery, but that would also help them create a (nearly) fool-proof way to forever break free from the cookie-cutter character (and from writer's block, interestingly enough). Their biggest takeaway was that, when done the right way, the confines of traditional storytelling was not as relevant as they had originally thought.

If you have an idea for a character, or simply have a role in the story which needs to be filled, it can still be difficult to provide the depth your story needs. Falling back onto stereotypes or writing yourself into a story can be tempting for a couple of reasons. First, it feels good to be the hero in our own story. In addition to that, it feels like an easy solution to a frustrating problem. Keep in mind, comfort is a trap that every writer can stumble into. Once that trap springs, breaking free can be daunting, if only because you are back to not knowing where to begin to fix this new dilemma.

Learning How to do Character Development Through Randomization

How do you generate a character who is nothing like you, while also understanding them fully? Frank and Lucy found out that one of the best ways to work around this problem was to randomize the features about a character. Not only physical traits like species or gender, but also their emotional outlook and stance on central issues.

Frank and Lucy, together as Phranqenlu (pronounced Frank-and-Loo), developed a method of randomization referred to as a "conflict motivations diagram." This revolutionary way of creating characters produces uniquely flawed individuals, who not only have unexpected strengths, but also detailed texture and vibrance. Like anything else, learning this new system may be a little uncomfortable at first, but if you continue to stay within your comfort zone, you may continue to struggle to help your characters progress.

Remember, true development only comes through discomfort, pressure, and the ability to persevere and overcome.