How to Achieve Great Character Development in Your Story

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The most compelling novels are character driven. Put your own writing aside and think about your favorite books. What do they all have in common? I’ll bet they all involve dynamic characters who are relatable and morally complex. No matter the plot, good character development is crucial for every story. But what is character development? Essentially, it’s the way your main character changes throughout your story.

If you feel like you’ve hit some mental roadblocks developing your characters — either primary or secondary — have no fear! In our ultimate guide to creating compelling characters, I will cover everything you need to know to overcome these obstacles and construct dynamic characters that drive narratives and resonate with readers.

Before we get into it, I want to remind you how meaningful it is to do this work. Authors like JK Rowling, Colleen Hoover, and Paulo Coelho have touched countless lives through their characters and stories. I understand the frustrations that come from writer’s block and mental fatigue. But you can find inspiration in your characters and leave the roadblocks behind.

Oftentimes, authors get stuck when they lose sight of the human aspect of character building. When you write a novel, you’re building a world that comes to life through language — and it consists of people with hopes, dreams, struggles, and insecurities. Remember that your characters are people — put yourself in their shoes and consider how the complexities of human emotion factor into their story arcs. Everyone struggles in some capacity — our lives are never linear. A character’s journey should reflect the human experience in its truest sense.

Why is character development important?

Without strong character development, a novel has nothing. Complex characters are what make stories relatable, interesting, and timeless. When someone loves a book, it’s because they can connect with the characters inside. Just like any human being, a character needs goals and motivations. Beyond that, a character needs to be flawed and vulnerable. Not only is perfection unrealistic, it’s also boring.

Character growth and development are important because it constructs the arc that keeps readers engaged with your story. It’s what makes a book hard to put down and sparks debate in book clubs, reading groups, and among friends. Believable characters make reading interesting.

Five elements of a compelling character arc

Once you’re satisfied with your characters and stories, the next step is to work with an editor to fine-tune your manuscript before printing your book. Discover our self-publishing packages that have got you covered from A to Z to ensure your book launch’s success.

Characters with motivation

At the most fundamental, human level, think about what drives your characters. Consider F. Scott Fitzgerald’s epic protagonist, Jay Gatsby. On the surface, he appears to be drawn to materialistic wealth. He lives a lavish lifestyle and hosts parties that sparkle with excess. But materialism does not drive him. Rather, he is a dreamer who constantly envisions a better future. His preoccupation with tomorrow oftentimes blinds him to what is right in front of him — and it leads to his tragic downfall.

Characters that are constantly evolving

This is important to remember. Your characters’ values should remain consistent, but the story should bring growth and change. The most captivating arcs come when a character ends a story in a completely different place than the beginning — either triumphant or tragic.

Think about the tragic story of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars. At his core, he is motivated by power and vengeance — but he has good in his heart. His flaws make him vulnerable and susceptible to corruption. He tragically falls to darkness and becomes a villain, but there is always hope that he can find the light in his heart. His evolution from a talented boy to a skilled but angry apprentice, then to a cruel monster, is fascinating and tragic. Evolution is necessary for character depth and reader intrigue. The last thing you want is a flat character.

Characters need strengths and weaknesses

Remember, we’re human. Perfection is unattainable — and dull. Readers will be as interested in what makes your character strong as what makes them weak. There is a push and pull to narratives that get readers invested in the story.

Character arcs must be relatable

It’s important that readers can relate to everything that your character is experiencing. Harry Potter is a wizard in a secret, magical world. But millions of people relate to him. Why? At his core, he’s a young man coming of age, motivated by love for his murdered parents and confronting the evil that took them away from him. Whether your character is a human, an animal, or a tree, they must be relatable.

Your characters (and story) must have a voice

The fifth element of a character arc is rather simple but very important. Whether your story is told in first or third person, your character needs a voice that is uniquely their own. Your characters’ voices should be clear and consistent throughout your story. Without an established voice, it can be difficult for readers to understand perspectives and grasp the full scope of a character arc.

How to achieve great character development in 8 steps

1. Focus on appearance. Physical traits are important. Character building requires attention to detail, including physical attributes. Remember, your book is coming to life in your readers’ minds. Your characters should be three-dimensional. Describe in detail their hair and eye color, voice, physique, mannerisms — everything that makes them human. Don’t forget, your characters are alive — and you want them to be alive in your readers’ minds. Fully construct your characters, emotionally and physically.
2. Take it slow. No matter the length of your book, there’s no rush to share all your character’s secrets! Think about it this way… When you first meet someone, first impressions are often misleading. It takes a long time to get to know a person. When you develop your characters, particularly your protagonist, be patient and don’t give everything away at once. It should take some time for readers to get to know a character in your book.
3. Develop a strong backstory. Who we are, how we are, and what we become are influenced by the past. Throughout your book, be sure to sprinkle in nuggets of the past so readers can learn the backstory influencing their current decisions in the story.
4. Create conflict. I’m not talking about physical conflict — although an epic battle rarely disappoints. I’m asking you to think deeply about your character at a human level; what conflicts will they confront that impact their decisions? Every great character should be at conflict with something that tests their resolve — an illness, tragedy, heartbreak. Get creative and implement ways to demonstrate how your characters respond to this conflict and adversity.
5. Make your characters relatable. Even if you’re writing a fantasy novel about non-human characters, you should be describing personality in familiar terms. It should be easy for readers to identify with personality traits and quirks when reading your book.
6. Contrast your protagonist with secondary characters. Every Batman needs a Robin. Secondary characters help flesh out your protagonist and illuminate their strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits. A secondary character can either be an ally to your protagonist or a rival. Some of the best character development comes when you contrast with a secondary character who opposes a protagonist’s morals, beliefs, and motivations. It’s good to challenge a character — a rivalry is oftentimes the driving force behind a personal metamorphosis.
7. Make morals and values clear. Your characters’ actions can be unpredictable, but readers should have a clear understanding of their moral compass. Sometimes their actions stray from their morals. Remember, timeless characters are deeply human, and humans have their flaws. Even when a character is virtuous at their core, it’s unrealistic for them to be that way all the time. A good character is not always good, and a bad character is not always bad. But in the end, their morals and core values should be clear to readers.
8. Be strategic about how you position protagonists and antagonists. A protagonist needs plenty of positive traits. However, it’s equally important for them to have negative traits that they must overcome if they are to triumph. Contrary to that, an antagonist should embody traits that directly challenge the protagonist and make it difficult for them to reach their desired destination. For example, if your protagonist avoids confrontation, consider making your antagonist confrontational. These little details go a long way in crafting a three-dimensional character arc.

BookBaby’s got you covered

Remember the significance of the work you’re doing. Characters inspire readers. They offer hope, comfort, and joy. Storytelling is a powerful art that brings people together. Keep that in mind when you’re searching for inspiration.

Whether you’re still writing your manuscript or are ready to publish, the team at BookBaby is here to support you — and be sure to check out some of our writer resources and partners.

Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get back to writing!

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