Character Development

Not to over generalize, but....let's over generalize.

There are typically two types of stories: those that are are plot-driven, and those that are character-driven. Plot-driven stories have certain sets of events that largely dictate the end of the story. Authors who write these stories tend to have more structured bones to their story, and often brainstorm heavily at the front end. This is not the type of author that I am. I write stories that are very character-driven. In my stories, the events are largely dictated by the actions the characters take. With my writing, I do little brainstorming of the front end other than the basic backbone and plot behind the story. For instance, with my most recent novel, Sweet Escape: The Story of Malia Pearson, I knew that I wanted to tell the story of a high school senior who had a brother with special needs. From there, I wrote, planning as I went. Events would unfold as I created and added to the story. Even though I created them, my characters had total control of the plot. Because my books are so character driven, character development is of the utmost importance, and tends to be what I put the most emphasis on before starting story.

The Process

1. NAMES // Everything is in a name. Look through any of my notebooks and you'll find lists of names; traditional, international, and original names. I assign characters names depending on their heritage, personalities, and their roles in the story. If they are African, I will give them an African name, such as Shani or Nayo; if they have a big personality, their name may reflect this, and be either longer or a bit more different than the rest of the characters; if the character is minor, their name will most likely be very basic. Some examples of character names are listed below:

Hyko (f; pronounced Hee-Koh): Hyko is the main character in my debut novel, Stepping Out of Line. Her name is original and part of the language I created in part for this novel. However, it holds great importance: her name means moon. In the story, Hyko explains her parents prayed to the moon to heal her as a baby, as she was very ill. After weeks of prayer, baby Hyko was named after what saved her; and years later, became the apprentice for the village medicine woman, or healer.

Gaby (m): This name I use twice in a story that's in the works, but it was inspired by an event in real life. During my travels in Argentina, I met someone with the last name Gaby. But when he brought it up, I thought he had somehow misheard my name and called me Gaby instead...the joke was on me when he explained it through laughter shortly thereafter. It was only fitting that for my story taking place in Argentina, I incorporate this name after that experience!

HINTS FOR NAMING CHARACTERS:

-Use baby name databases and books for ideas. Databases exist for lists of common surnames as well.

-Search for names based on time period, especially if you're writing a book that takes place in the past. There are websites where you can search via year...so if you're wondering what girls names were popular in 1890, you can do just that (which, by the way, the top 3 names were Mary, Anna and Margaret)

-Know when to be creative, and when to be basic. Main characters should have more interesting names than minor or dead characters.

-Incorporate culture! If I have a Japanese character in a story, I'll often times give them a Japanese name...the same goes for any culture. One of my my books in the works takes place in Argentina, so I researched common Argentine surnames for these characters, and gave them long names, which is common in Latin cultures (first, middle and last....in some cases, more than one last or middle names whereas Western culture does not always have a middle name)

2. CHARACTER SKETCHES // For me, drawing the character helps further solidify who they are, and helps bring them to life. Before starting a story, or right after beginning, I'll often times draw pictures of the characters while developing them. I'll usually include important notes about them, such as their role in the story, background information, family history, personality, demeanor, etc. Funny enough, I tend not to include the eyes to preserve the quality of the sketch. Sometimes it'll all look great up until it's time for them to have eyes, and if I mess the eyes up, it'll ruin the flow of the entire picture! I actually did that while drawing this picture: I put so much effort into his eyes, and they turned out to be too big, so I had to start over.

3. CHARACTER BACKGROUND // To know who we’re going to be, we have to know who we were (I quite like that, can I make it an inspirational quote card one day?) The same rule applies for our characters. They need depth, meaning, personality, a history in order to make a difference in the story. The most basic points to a character are their name and age. You dig a little deeper by giving them physical features, and even deeper still by giving them personalities. I try to take it a step forward, and at least give about 6-10 main characters backstories as they pertain to the importance of the plot. These main characters typically will have all of the following established before the start of the story:

1. Full Name (First and last, unless there’s a reason as to why they don’t need a last name in this particular story)

2. Physical features, and possibly a sketch to go with

3. Personality features

4. Emotional and Psychological state

5. Family history

6. Important Events from Past

7. Likes and dislikes, hobbies

8. Job/Occupation

9. Contribution to the plot

I’ll use Hyko, the female protagonist from my debut novel, as an example:

1. Full Name: Hyko, daughter of Peoto

2. Physical Features: Average size and height, brown skin, medium-length curly hair

3. Personality: Independent, determined, strong, resourceful, intelligent and quick-Witted

4. Emotional and Psychological state: Normal or average. Hyko has no mental illnesses, or anything else of the sort, which would typically be noted when describing a character's state of mind.

5. Family History: Family grew up in a patriarchal society where the man has the most say. Mother very rarely speaks out against father; younger sister does not break or challenge the rules like Hyko does

6. Important Events from Past: None in particular, other than the story of how Hyko got her name

7. Likes and Dislikes: likes to speak her mind and enjoys her work at the healer's hut, though she has a disdain for the attitude of the healer under whom she is apprenticing, her fiance, and the senseless rules in her village that bind her to a life she doesn't wish to live.

8. Job: Apprentice at the healer’s hut, later becomes a messenger

9. Contribution to the Plot: Main protagonist, strong female role

Do you have any techniques for character development? Comment below to share them.

Nothing but the best,

Reina