Developing characters that light up the pages
Why do actors ask, “What’s my motivation?”
IT’S ALL ABOUT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Character development is a crucial aspect of any story or narrative. It refers to the process by which a character grows and changes throughout the course of the story. Well-developed characters can make a story more engaging, and readers are more likely to become invested in the outcome.
Sounds easy, right?
Uhm…Andréa, where do I start?
Let’s go back to the beginning…
BACKSTORY
One of the most critical elements of character development is creating a unique and compelling backstory. Why is this so important? Details about the character’s childhood, family, and experiences that have shaped who they are today will inform almost all of their decisions in the story. No small task. The ultimate goal of great backstory? To make a character feel more realistic and relatable. By delving into their past, I can create a deeper understanding of their motivations and behaviors and weave a complex and believable portrayal that resonates with readers. Remember, people pick up a book to learn from your characters. What mistakes did they make? How are they going to overcome them? Showing how backstory has impacted your character, makes it easier for a reader to relate to them. We all have baggage to overcome, right?
PERSONALITY TRAITS
Another important component of character development I love to explore is personality traits. What makes a character unique? Quirks, likes and dislikes, their sense of humor, how they love or want to be loved—all of these elements create a more well-rounded character. Especially when you explore them to the extremes. In A Rainbow Like You, Adrian Johnson has OCD, and this plays out in a pretty unexpected and funny scene. In Completion, Damien Hester is a pyromaniac. His identity struggles are inexplicably tied to this impulse-control disorder, which sets the tone for the wild ride in this taut psychological thriller. Find those personality nuggets that can set your character apart from the hundred others a reader has already read about. Dig deep for the gold!
MOTIVATIONS
Motivations are also an integral aspect of character development. These are the reasons why a character does what they do, whether it’s pursuing a goal, seeking revenge, or trying to overcome a personal challenge. A single motivation can be the entire raison d’etre for the journey a character embarks on. In other words…make sure it’s a worthy one!
RELATIONSHIPS & DIALOGUE
Finally, relationships with other characters can also play a key role in character development. Think about how you interact with your sister or your boss or your local barista. How does your language change? Does your mood change? Do they change in your presence? There are many layers to explore within interactions and this almost always plays out as dialogue. I LOVE dialogue. How someone speaks, and even what they don’t say, is a huge part of bringing an authentic character to life. Don’t be afraid to play around with accents, ticks, repetitive words, colloquialisms and also … don’t forget the fight scenes! Two characters pushed into anger make for some very memorable dialogue!
In summary, character development is an essential part of any book. I’m known as the character queen and there are many different techniques that I use to create compelling and well-rounded people who light up the page. Dialogue is my go-to, but the combination of that, along with backstory, personality traits, motivations and unique plot points, is what creates an immersive and engaging experience.
Go big!
