Most people, whether they realize it or not, are writing their stories in a very inefficient way. That’s why they end up wondering why their book sags in the middle or why their ending is anticlimactic. The problem is that they’ve built the plot first, without laying the proper foundation—character development. Characters live at the heart of any story, it’s their actions that drive the plot and their motivations that lend meaning to the trials and tribulations that keep the reader turning pages. Developing captivating characters is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding elements of storytelling.
It is a process that requires both perspiration and inspiration. The idea may come to you in a flash of brilliance, but developing it into a compelling story and fleshing out the characters is a long journey. Some writers, known as plotters, spend months, if not years developing their ideas into a well-rounded story that they are ready to write. Others, called pantsers, complete very few pre-writing tasks and prefer to discover their story as they write.
Regardless of which approach you take, developing your story is essential to the success of your narrative. In this article we will explore a few key concepts and techniques that can help you develop your story more efficiently. We will look at ways to develop your main characters, sketch their arcs, and dig deep into their personalities. We will also discuss the importance of setting, creating a unique world, and maintaining consistency. Finally, we will talk about how to balance macro edits (like plot structure) with micro edits like grammar and style.