forum Character Development?

Started January 11, 2018 by @Jupiter

tune

Does anyone have any good tips for expanding on/developing characters? I have a couple of characters I think are pretty fleshed out, and others who I've hardly anything on, but I'd like them to have more. ^^;

  From experience (but this is just roleplaying with friends to improve writing) it seems that if you just stick with that character and have basic dislikes and likes, interests, pet peeves, and other things like that you could figure out their character by asking yourself why they think like that or view things from that particular perspective because personal experiences always give any living organism a reason to be the way they are.    
 I even tried putting them into a parallel universe and used that to figure out if I wanted to keep anything or change anything in their original character. I dunno, things like this may not help you, but I know they definitely helped me create my character Chance.
 I hope this helped! And if it didn't... help, I hope you find what you're looking for.

With developing characters, it's important to sort of "check in" on their emotional state every once in a while. In my eyes, character development usually gets botched when a single event changes everything about how a characters acts. Rather, it's better to have them go through a series of events and see how each "trial" pushes them more in the direction of change, whether positive or negative. Gradual development of a character is widely more effective.

With developing characters, it's important to sort of "check in" on their emotional state every once in a while. In my eyes, character development usually gets botched when a single event changes everything about how a characters acts. Rather, it's better to have them go through a series of events and see how each "trial" pushes them more in the direction of change, whether positive or negative. Gradual development of a character is widely more effective.

i like this one, thanks

To help develop my characters, I try to follow the GMC rule (Goal, Motivation, and Conflict). It's important to establish the wants, dreams, etc. of each character, and It's important to show what motivates them to pursue these goals. The conflict, whatever is preventing or hindering the achievement of their goal(s), is where you can really add emotion depth to the characters. Would they have to betray someone to get what they want? Would they have to sacrifice something precious to them? Reveal what the characters want (e.g. love, comfort, power, money, peace, etc.), why they want it, and what they're willing or NOT willing to do to get it. You can add some depth to the story as a whole if these goals, motivations, and conflicts are intertwined with the main plot in some way. There are many different ways to add depth to your characters and plot, but I think this is one of the easiest methods to follow. Good luck and happy writing!

just to add in my opinion, there are a lot of stories where a shy character is "developed" into a character that is a party animal or something. When it comes to traits like this when I read books, I like it when sorts like that stay the same and it really is more of the actions of the character that are changed.

Lets say a selfish character has their parents die, they will probably become more quiet and maybe more sympathetic. I don't know if this makes sense but I figured that a little input couldn't hurt.

What I try to do is have their character be influenced by a few events, for better or for worse, and be "pushed over the edge" by one final thing. Be sure to keep their goals, driving force, and obstacles (or lack thereof) in sight, and never ever attempt to rush it last minute.