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Character Development
INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS
Characters can make or break a story. They should inspire readers to become emotionally
invested in their lives, to connect with them, and to root for or against them.
Imagine meeting someone for the first time. Would it be easy or hard to connect with them
only knowing their name? Could you cultivate and sustain a friendship over time without
getting to know them better?
Similiar to making a new friend, readers need to care about the characters of a story and their
situation (a goal of the opening hook). They also need to get to know a character better over
the course of the story to sustain that emotional investment. Otherwise, your reader will stop
reading.
In the order to introduce a reader to a character and to help them get to know the character
better, a writer must first know the characters and what motivates them.
CHECK OUT PIXAR'S THE ART OF STORYTELLING ON KHAN ACADEMY
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CHARACTER NAME
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Character introduction
Imagine you've taken your character to a party. Other than their name, what three
facts would you include when introducing them to others? Next, briefly describe
their outward appearance (clothes and prominant physical features).
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Character Development
What might your character's best friends know about them? How would their friends
describe them? Who are your character's best friends?
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Think about your character's family. What would they know about your character
that others don't? How would they describe your character and their habits? Who are
your character's family?
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Character Development
How would your character describe themselves? What do they believe are their
talents and flaws?
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List any secrets or fears your character may have.
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Character Development
What does your character want? From the beginning of the story, what goal are they
trying to achieve?
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Describe the darkest moment in your character’s past, a moment that changed them
and still influences their view of the world.
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Character Development
CHARACTER INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS
STORY GOAL — What your character wants and pursues over the course of the
story.
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OUTER CONFLICT — External obstacles preventing your character from achieving
their goal. Obstacles can be another person, a law, a location... anything outside your
characters control.
INNER CONFLICT — Inner obstacles preventing your character from achieving their
goal. Things they can change like self-doubt, fear of rejection, prespective, beliefs
about themselves and others, etc...
EMOTIONAL WOUND — A traumatic experience or event that your character has
not resolved or accepted.
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Character Development
CHARACTER INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS
THE FEAR — A specific fear that was born as a result of your character’s emotional
wound.
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THE LIE — A false belief based upon your character’s fear.
THE NEED — The shining light of truth that exposes the lie and brings healing to
your character’s emotional wound.
NOTES AND IDEAS
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