Character Development

Empathetic characters are essential to great fiction

Characters make a story stick with us long after we've finished the last page. As a writer, learning to craft compelling characters is one of the most critical skills you must master. It doesn't matter how great your story idea is; if your readers don't connect with your characters, your story will fail. Jump to character development coaching →

An asian warrior woman character. — Well-developed characters allow readers to form an emotional connection.

A lot of writers mistake character development for physical features and backstory. They'll spend weeks documenting hair, eye color, physical and mental traits, weight, height, and personality, only to end up with a lifeless cardboard cutout. While these attributes may add to a character, they're not what readers connect with. Let's look at some of the necessary ingredients to making a great character.

Empathy

Well-developed characters allow readers to form an emotional connection. By giving characters authentic motivations, flaws, and room to grow, readers can see themselves reflected in the characters' wins and losses.

Even if a character's specific circumstances are very different from the reader's own life, tapping into universal human values, experiences, and emotions makes your characters relatable. When readers empathize with your characters, they become invested in their story.

Growth and transformation

Memorable characters evolve during the story. A character arc traces the journey from who the character is at the beginning to who they become by the end. Challenges, conflicts, and pivotal turning points force characters to confront their flaws, fears, and beliefs.

How your characters respond to challenges reveals their true nature and growth. Watching a character overcome obstacles, learn important lessons, and become a better or wiser version of themselves is immensely satisfying for readers.

Pushing the plot

Character motivations, decisions, and actions propel your story. Your characters' objects of desire and the lengths they will go to achieve them create narrative momentum and tension.

How characters interact with each other and their environment generates drama and conflict. The plot unfolds as an outward manifestation of the characters' inner journeys. Fully realized characters with solid goals make for a gripping story.

Revealing themes

Themes are the deeper layers of meaning that give your story weight and significance. The most powerful way to express themes is through your characters' conflicts, struggles, realizations, and choices.

Your protagonist's character arc often embodies the central theme of your story. For example, a character struggling to obtain freedom might convey themes of choice and agency.

Strengthen your characters

Character development is the lifeblood of fantastic fiction. By crafting multidimensional characters who captivate readers' emotions, undergo meaningful change, drive the story forward, and wrestle with thematic questions, writers can create immersive and unforgettable stories that linger in readers' hearts and minds.

If you'd like to learn more about creating compelling and empathetic characters, complete the form below, and one of our experienced writing coaches will contact you to customize a program to fit your goals and budget.

Write characters that last

Our weekly writing group provides instruction and feedback that can help your characters come alive.