Writing tip 11 - Take time to get to know your characters inside out

Character development is tip of the iceberg stuff. The little bit that finally appears in your novel is more stable, and all the more intriguing, if it supported by a whole lot of ballast under the water.

Or to continue using another well-used metaphor (because I like it) - think of it as sculpting. You start off with a great big block of something and chip away (or mould)  judiciously to create a great work or art (or a popular one). First you need to build your block.

In practical terms this means creating a deep history for each of your characters. What is it about their life experiences, where they were born, their personality, their physicality, their beliefs, that feed into how they respond to certain situations, and how they create certain situations? Very little of this needs to be used in the final cut, but the writing will benefit from the writer's deep understanding of his or her characters.

Why?

Consistency. Depth. Subtext. New leads for subplots. Inspiration with regard to the main plot development. A genuine process of discovery and the ability to share what the writer discovers through this exploration, with the reader.

Writing Prompt

Spend the equivalent of one full writing day developing a birth to current time history for each of your characters. Date of birth, family composition and dynamics, places they have lived, where they now live (in detail - the more the better), pivotal experiences, core beliefs, what has influenced their beliefs, physicality including any physical frailties, likes and dislikes, relationships, political beliefs and so on.  Once you have created this, consider how the information will affect what actually happens to them, and the decisions that they will make.