Character Building

Characters drive the story. That’s why most writers and lecturers out there will tell you that the characters should be developed first. With all the tics and quirks which make them human.

Authentic characters are the key elements which encourage readers to turn page after page. If they feel connected with the character and identify with them, they will be compelled to keep reading. Your plot has probably been told one way or the other one thousand times before but that doesn’t mean it has read like regurgitated material. When you take the time to develop your characters (as well as your setting), you infuse your story with a cast that comes to life on so many levels. Their character traits and development throughout the story, will drive your plot and keep your readers hanging on to every word.

Because characters are so important, many writers start with them. Pansters write without the use of a story outline, they let the characters act and interact, and watch how the story develops. Pansters should have the conflict of their story clearly defined before they start writing to give them a clear story arc.

Tools

Writers can use the following tools to develop and rehearse one of the fundamental skills of their craft -characterization.

Authors should develop an in-depth knowledge of the character’s personality in order to create consistent and engaging personas.

The ultimate goal of a writer is to utilize their knowledge of character development and craft a wonderfully engrossing, character-driven work of fiction.