Character development is the life blood of storytelling. Whether it’s the tragic hero of a novel, the conflicted protagonist of a screenplay, or the intriguing figure in a short story, well-crafted characters captivate readers and audiences alike.
Have you ever wondered why some characters linger in your mind long after you’ve closed the book or left the theater? The secret lies in meticulous character development. By breathing life into your characters, you create personas that resonate with real emotions, thoughts, and experiences, making your story unforgettable.
Imagine your readers or viewers not just understanding your characters but feeling with them, cheering for their successes, and lamenting their failures. Mastering character development transforms your writing from mere words on a page to an immersive experience, forging a deep connection between your audience and your story.
I can go on and on talking about the peculiarities of a good character development but I’ll allow my guest for today to talk more about it….
Character Development
Can you introduce yourself to our reader?
I, Danielle N. McDonough, am a self-published author local to Rockwall, TX. I graduated from Full Sail University with a degree in film. After spending several years working on television and movie sets, I decided to step away from the film industry and pursue my passion for storytelling by writing my debut novel, The Preparations.
In 2021, I completed my seven year project when I published the final book in The Legacy Series. This is a four book series centered on a dystopian society. The story focuses on the path to adulthood and the struggle for truth.
Storytelling has always been very important to me. It inspires people and takes them on incredible journeys. Through books, we are able to meet hundreds of people, live dozens of lives, and visit places we will never see with our own eyes.
I knew at an early age that I had many stories to tell, and I don’t think there was anything that could have stopped me from sharing them with others. By pursuing a creative career as an author, I am doing what I love, following my passion, and hoping to inspire others along the way.
Can you tell us what character development is?
Character development is how authors make characters feel real, and become more than just words on a page. It brings them to life and helps the reader become more immersed in the story, feeling as if they are part of the adventure and experiencing it alongside friends.
Speaking of its importance what can you say about the importance of character development?
Character development is important because it allows the audience to relate to the characters directly and feel genuine emotions for them. This makes the overall story more impactful as the reader can actually begin to see through the character’s eyes and feel what the character feels. It’s a really useful tool for authors to use, when they want to put the reader much more in the story.
We can’t talk about character development without discussing about the definition of character arc what is your take?
A character arc is the growth or the development of a character in the space of the story. Some characters change for the better and some change for the worse. It is something we, as people, are familiar with. In my books, I use it to help point towards the message of the story, to help the readers really understand how the character has been affected by everything that they’ve experienced.
What are the good elements of character development?
I’ve heard it said that every good character needs to have 2 flaws, one minor flaw and one major flaw. Also, one of the flaws must be mental and one must be physical. A good example of this from my book series, the legacy series, is my character, Astra, who has the minor physical flaw of being dyslexic, which is actually something that I have as well. So it was very easy for me to add that to her character. In addition, she has a major mental flaw of having grown up without her parents.
Both of these details impact who she is as a person to varying degrees and shape the path that she chooses to walk throughout the story.
In storytelling characters can grow; how can we identify character growth?
In my opinion, the best way to identify character growth is to look at the decisions the character makes early on in the story and then when you reach the end of the story, to consider if they would make the same choices again or if they would choose a different path. That’s a really great way to contrast who they were, and who they became.
Can you site examples of character development that occurred in your book?
The best example of character development in my book series is with my character, Myra. In the first book, it starts with her and her friends attempting to win a game. In order to do that, Myra wants to allow one of her teammates to be captured so the rest of the team will have a better chance to win.
Later on in the series, after Myra has gone through a lot of struggles, faced a lot of hardships, and learned a lot about herself, she’s presented with the same choice, to sacrifice someone else for victory. The way she makes this decision the second time demonstrates how much she has changed and shows the growth that she has made in the same way that a real person might.
We can’t write our story without having a knowledge about what character traits are?
Character traits form the personality of the characters. They explain their likes and dislikes, their fears, their hopes, their dreams. They are all the unique quirks and motivations for their actions.
Interesting – List some character traits
There are hundreds of character traits to use when creating a character. Everything from having a great sense of humor and being fun loving to being self-conscious and awkward. There are also different sources of character traits. Some, the character is born with. Some are the product of their environment. Some they pick up from other people, and some occur after an important or traumatic event.
What is a 3-dimensional character development and what are the tips for creating one?
Three-dimensional characters are the ones who the author has spent a lot of time fleshing out. They aren’t based on a stereotype, but built to have a unique personality complete with an original point of view. Usually, the best way to build a well-rounded character is to build them in a way that would logically make sense. For example, you wouldn’t ever have a character who was both very flirty but also extremely self-conscious as those traits don’t work well together.
What are the character development questions to ask each of your characters?
Character development questions to ask your characters can include:
- Basic Information – What’s your character’s full name? What is their age, gender, and birthday? Where were they born and where do they currently live?
- Background and History – What is their family background (parents, siblings, significant relatives)? What is their ethnic and cultural background? What was their childhood like (happy, troubled, and uneventful)?
- Personality and Traits – What are their most prominent personality traits (optimistic, pessimistic, introverted, and extroverted)? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their fears and insecurities?
- Relationships – Who are their closest friends and why? Do they have a significant other or a past romantic history?
- Daily Life and Habits – What is their typical daily routine? What are their hobbies and interests? Do they have any habits or quirks (biting nails, humming, etc.)?
- Professional Life – What is their occupation or main source of income? Do they enjoy their job, and why or why not? What are their professional skills and talents?
- Values and Beliefs – What are their core values and principles? Do they follow a religion or spiritual practice? What do they believe about right and wrong?
- Conflict and Challenges – What internal conflicts do they face? What external conflicts or challenges do they encounter? How do they deal with failure or setbacks?
- Miscellaneous – What are their favorite foods and drinks? Do they have any pets, and what is their relationship with them? What are their favorite books, movies, music, or art?
- Character Arc – How do they change over the course of the story? What key events contribute to their growth or transformation? What lessons do they learn by the end of the story?
Any final words to the reader?
As both an author and as a reader, good characters are something I look for and truly appreciate. Building characters from the ground up is the best way to ensure that they are believable and well developed. As an author, my characters feel very real to me, so much so that I could drop them into almost any situation and immediately know what actions they would take and why.
Let’s wrap up
Mastering character development is essential for any writer, whether you’re working on a novel, screenplay, or short story. By creating well-rounded characters with rich backstories, genuine relationships, and believable arcs, you transform names on a page into memorable individuals who resonate with your audience.
Compelling characters stay with us long after the story ends, driving your plot and forging deep connections with readers or viewers. I would say, invest in your characters, let them evolve, and watch as they bring your stories to vibrant, unforgettable life.
Find this article informative please share with your pen pals, you can connect with Danielle N. McDonough on X. To get her book series use this link!
Finally want to read about Andrew’s views on how to get your book sold by Barnes and Noble, then go here. Above all I wish you all the best in your writing adventure.
