WHAT IS CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT?
WHAT IS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?
• Definition: The process of creating a believable and engaging character
for a story.
• Importance: Makes stories interesting and relatable by giving
characters depth and complexity.
KEY ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
Appearance: What does the character look like?
Personality: Traits, attitudes, and behaviors.
Background/History: Past experiences and their
impact.
Motivation: What drives the character? Goals and
desires.
Flaws/Weaknesses: Imperfections that make the
character realistic.
DEVELOPING APPEARANCE
• What to Consider: Age, height, build, hair color, clothing, etc.
• Example: Compare two characters based on their physical
descriptions (e.g., Harry Potter vs. Katniss Everdeen)
EXPLORING PERSONALITY
• Traits: Kind, brave, shy, angry, etc.
• How to Show Personality: Through actions, dialogue, and decisions.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
• Importance: Helps explain why characters behave the way they do.
• Example: Discuss a character’s backstory and its effect on their
actions (e.g., Batman’s origin story).
MOTIVATIONS AND GOALS
• Types of Motivation: Personal goals, desires, fears.
• Example: Explain how motivation influences a character’s decisions
(e.g., Frodo's quest in "The Lord of the Rings").
FLAWS AND WEAKNESSES
• Purpose: Makes characters more relatable and real.
• Impact on Relationships: Flaws can affect how characters interact
with others and create tension or conflict in their relationships (e.g., a
character’s trust issues might lead to isolation).
• Growth and Development: Flaws often drive character development
and transformation throughout the story, showing how characters
overcome or learn from their weaknesses.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
• Combine appearance, personality, background, motivation, and flaws
to create a rich character.
SAMPLE CHARACTER PROFILE: ALEX CARTER
Alex Carter is a tall, athletic 17-year-old with tousled brown hair and green eyes,
often dressed in practical outdoor gear. Adventurous and confident, Alex is also
stubborn and impatient, traits that lead to both bold actions and conflicts with
others. Raised in a small mountain town, he grew up exploring the wilderness,
and a recent accident involving his father has intensified his drive to prove
himself. Motivated by a desire to honor his family’s legacy, Alex struggles with
his stubbornness, which can lead to reckless decisions and strained
relationships. This blend of appearance, personality, background, motivation,
and flaws makes Alex a dynamic and relatable character.
LET’S BRAINSTORM OUR CHARACTERS!
• Focus on the Following Elements:
• Appearance: Physical traits and distinctive features.
• Personality: Key traits and behaviors.
• Background: Significant past experiences.
• Motivation: Main goals and desires.
• Flaws: Weaknesses or challenges.