Character Development: What I've Learned So Far

            Two weeks ago, I talked about NaNoWriMo and fiction writing. Specifically, I focused on creating better characters for a truly good novel. I have been hard at work ever since developing characters that make the plotline ideas in my head better. As I have worked with these characters, I have learned a few things about fiction and character development.

            Even though I love fiction, my writing skills pertain more to essays and other nonfiction. I have learned many lessons about fiction writing as of late. Using NaNoWriMo's prep materials to develop my characters has been exciting. My characters are coming to life. Oddly enough, I'm learning things about them that I never realized before. It seems fictional characters do have a mind of their own. The work of character development has also been daunting. I believe I have never put as much effort into a story idea as I have in the last two weeks. It has been stretching my imagination and making me think about things that I wouldn't normally take the time to consider.

            NaNoWriMo has questionnaires for writers to fill out about their characters that have been a figurative lifesaver for me. My characters now have physical descriptions, likes, dislikes, mannerisms, dreams, and fears. They are still far from perfect. I have noticed some incongruencies in my descriptions, but it's a start. These questions have made me think more deeply about my characters, my settings, and my plot. They have been helping me picture how each part of a novel is connected to make one cohesive and engaging story.

Supposedly, my personality is rare because I score highest in creative and analytical behaviors. It was a complicated explanation. The summary is that my brain is at war with itself. I can be very creative, but only if the analytical side of my brain shuts off long enough for me to explore my ideas. Writing and editing have put both qualities to the test. The creative side of me is loving the character development; the analytical side of me is enjoying the character analysis.

Developing my characters has tested my imagination and pushed me to be more creative. I've had to dwell a great deal on published books that I enjoy for inspiration. I have been thinking about which characters I like best; and, more importantly, why I like them so much. One aspect of reading that I particularly like is being able to explore the world through a viewpoint that is nothing like mine. I don't want my characters to be exactly like me, and I am trying to put a conscious effort into giving them traits that I don't possess. I want the challenge of thinking outside my default box. That is exactly why I've created a supporting character that is lively, whimsical, and very outgoing. She is my opposite, but she is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I don't think I'm supposed to say that though. Can an author play favorites with his characters? I am anyway, and that’s just the way it is.

The questions that NaNoWriMo poses have also given my analytical side much to consider. I can't just say that a character likes books. The questions make me think about the reasons behind the fact. Maybe a character likes to read both because he is an academic and finds solace in his studies. He is insecure and struggles with developing strong relationships. That could be why he is a quiet and serious type. Others might see him as standoffish or conceited because they don't understand his insecurities. I could delve deeper and think about the reasons for his insecurity. See how one characteristic can build to more characteristics as one thinks more deeply about it? I think that was the result that surprised me the most.            

  
          I still have a long way to go in my writing and much more to learn. I believe this will be beneficial for developing my writing skills and helping me be a more understanding editor. Writing can be a lonely business. I’m curious to hear what fellow aspiring writers have to say. Do you enjoy developing characters? What do you like best about your characters? Or, even better, what do you dislike? Nobody ever said an author must like all their characters. It is one of the exciting parts of writing. It's almost as unpredictable as life.