When writing a novel, it’s essential to develop complex, authentic characters that your readers come to care about in some way. In this episode, we’ll talk about ways in which you can create nuanced characters your readers can connect to, love or hate. And we’ll provide models of characters as examples and a FREE DOWNLOAD of exercises to help you achieve them in your work.

SHOW NOTES:

Develop Rich Backstories A character's history shapes their motivations, fears, and desires.

Embrace Flaws and Contradictions Complex characters aren't perfect; their inconsistencies make them feel real.

Focus on Internal Conflict Characters with layered emotions and dilemmas feel more authentic.

Create Distinct Motivations and Goals Well-defined motivations make characters’ actions believable and compelling.

Show Relationships and Reactions How characters interact with others and the space around them can reveal hidden aspects of their personality.

Examples of Well-Developed Characters

SOURCES & LINKS

Writers Helping Writers Series:The Thesaurus Collection by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi (showing vs. telling)

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression

The Conflict Thesaurus, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus…

Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book, Emma Dhesi, Grace Sammon

Story Genius and Wired for Story, Lisa Cron (structure and character development)

DO NOW: Character Development Exercises:

Backstory Journaling, Flaw vs. Virtue Chart, Internal Conflict Mapping, Dialogue Scenarios and Relationship Snapshot

FREE DOWNLOAD Character Development Exercises

Next Episode: The Write Resources to Set You on the Path to Writing, Publishing & Marketing

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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