Two Tips on Character Development for Your Novel

Secret in the Mist, the second book
in the Abi Wunder Mystery trilogy,
is now available on Amazon. You
can find it by clicking on the link below.

By Linda Wilson  

To create realistic and engaging characters, you need to know who your characters are. The best way to do this is by creating Character Bios and Character Arcs. 

Tip #1: Create a Character Bio

Create a character profile by including the following information:

• The Basics: Name, nickname, age, maturity level, appearance
• Personality & Quirks: Introvert or extrovert; how do they think, feel, and react; add complexity by giving your character(s) a few contradictions
• Backstory: Past key events relative to your story
• Goals, Fears & Flaws: What does your character want more than anything, and what’s standing in the way? What does your character need? What are strengths and weaknesses?
• Relationships & Role in the Plot: How does your character connect with the other characters; which characters do they love, hate, envy, or secretly admire?
• A Word about Story Threads: For any recurring factors integral to the story, such as the use of flashlights, the appearance of pets, a meaningful note, as an example, you need to be consistent and not have anything mentioned forgotten partway. These threads can be followed throughout your story with the “Find” function in Word. Of with the use of different color highlights.

Sources:

Excerpts from the article, “The Anatomy of a Great Character Bio: What to Include (and What to Skip Unless You’re Tolkien” include a helpful template to make your character(s) complete, from https://spines.com/character-bio-template/

For more information on creating character bios:

Character Development in Fiction: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Character Development: 12 Steps to Write Great Characters

https://jerryjenkins.com/character-development/  

Tip #2: Create a Character Arc

To create realistic and engaging characters, your main character needs to have a character arc. Your character embarks on a journey, which begins with who they are and ends with who they have become. This transformation is accomplished by showing your character’s actions, what they say in dialogue with other characters, and what their inner thoughts are. In my novels, I create an arc for each character so that they, too, can grow. 

• Internal changes: Focus on changes to your character’s beliefs, personality, and/or worldview.
• Draw these changes out with conflict: The plot, stakes, and obstacles force the character to change to overcome them.
• Character arcs: For children’s stories, a positive character arc works by creating a character who overcomes flaws, grows, and becomes a better person. 

For more information on character arcs:

Beginner's Guide to Character Arc Development: Learn the Essentials

How to Write a Character Arc — Mastering the Four Types

What is a Character Arc? 3 Common Types and Examples from Fiction, on Reedsyblog

For my current work in progress, the working title, The Worst/Best Forever Friend, a chapter book, I thought I had created an adequate Character Bio and Arc for my main character, Bo. However, at a recent critique meeting, from what the critiquers said, I hadn't shown who Bo is enough in the first two chapters, and I needed to consolidate so that the chapters would be more active. This book is my third novel. It just goes to show that there is always more to learn and more to pay attention to. I highly recommend sharing your work with a critique group or beta readers to make sure you're going in the right direction early on.

My two writing partners
and me, Alamo Canyon,
Alamogordo, NM.

Linda's latest release is Secret in the Mist, the second book in the Abi Wunder trilogy, illustrated by Danika Corrall, published December, 2025. Two other new releases are Botas Altas, the Spanish version of Tall Boots, translated by Graciela Moreno and Adriana Botero, and Cuna en la Naturaleza, the Spanish version of Cradle in the Wild, translated by Adriana Botero. Both books have won awards. Visit Linda at https://bit.ly/3AOM98L and  amzn.to/3Pj6Puu.

Does Your Story Go Up and Down, And All Around?

 

 

By Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

I’ve noticed that people who want to write a story, but are new to the arena, don’t understand what’s involved in writing a good story.

I’ve seen lots of drafts that are cute, but they have no story arc or character arc. They’re a series of related events or incidents … they’re not a full story.

Another thing, sometimes along with these story ideas that don’t have a story arc, a lot of new authors don’t want to make their characters real, especially the protagonist.

A story and its characters should have ups and downs, ins and outs. It shouldn't be a steady ride or read. It should be like the horse on a carousel that doesn't move aside from going round and round.

First let’s touch on what makes a full story arc.

The very first thing is your protagonist needs a big problem. Something that needs to be overcome.

Here are a couple of examples of a problem that needs to be overcome:

•    Maybe Rafael is being bullied at school.
•    Maybe Sophia just got a new bike and was told not to leave it alone anywhere. She leaves it unattended at the park and it’s stolen.
•    Maybe Rick is the kid who no one chooses for their team and he’s getting very upset about it.
•    Maybe Lisa moved to a new neighborhood and has to start a new school. She’s anxious over all the changes.

After the problem has been established, the main character (MC) needs to try to figure out how to overcome the problem.

But as life isn’t smooth, the MC can’t overcome the problem in one attempt.

The protagonist needs to struggle to reach the goal. He needs to try a couple of things and fail and become deflated before he finally comes up with a plan that leads to success.
 
Along with the MC succeeding, there must be some kind of growth.

•    Maybe, he learns he’s not the person he thought he was, like with Wang in Walking Through Walls.
•    Maybe she learns compassion.
•    Maybe he learns that winning isn’t everything.
•    Maybe she learns how to make friends.

The story arc and character arc both have a beginning, middle and end. In children’s writing, the story arc, in a way, relies on the character arc. They go hand-in-hand.

When thinking of a story arc, think of a triangle.
 
1.    The exposition. At the bottom of the left side is the introduction. The MC and setting is introduced.

2.    The trigger. The problem appears (the inciting incident). It may be internal or external, but it needs to be addressed.

3.    The quest. The MC struggles to overcome the problem. The action is rising as is the conflict. The MC finds obstacles that must be overcome on her quest to find a solution.

4.    The climax. The MC has made a critical choice and is engaging in his final attempt. He’s chosen his path and it’s the beginning of his change. The action declines as everything unfolds.

5.    The resolution. The MC has overcome the problem. He’s successful. And he’s grown in some way as a result of the journey.

For #4, the climax, think of a kid who’s about to steal for the first time. Will his conscience kick in and stop him or will he go through with it?

So, you can see that having a series of related incidents does not lend itself to a true story, to a full story arc. 

Next up, you’ve got to write real characters, ones that are believable.

I hear it all the time, my clients, who are usually new authors, want a fun story, but they don’t want their MCs to have any bad traits.

In a children’s story, this means the young MC can’t yell. He can’t do anything bad. He doesn’t think bad thoughts.

What kid will be able to relate to a perfect MC.

Your characters need to be realistic, believable. Kids yell, kids can be mean, they can be selfish, they can be liars, and so on. They have good days and bad days.

If your MC isn’t believable, the reader won’t connect with him.

Characters need to have ups and downs, just like the story arc. 

This article was first published at:  https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2019/10/20/your-story-should-be-like-a-roller-coaster/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

 

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author and children’s ghostwriter, editor, and coach with clients worldwide. If you need help with your children’s story, please visit: Karen Cioffi Writing for Children.
 
In addition, she offers self-publishing help for children’s authors. To learn more, you can visit WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS.
 
Karen also offers HOW TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN, a self-guided ecourse and mentoring program.