Have you ever watched a movie where a character makes a really bad decision and you were able to make a better one? Character development is one of the most essential parts of a story since the characters are what help the reader to navigate through the novel. From their backstories to the character’s perspective, a character provides a specific lens that cannot be provided with plot or theme alone. In addition, a character is based on who the story needs them to be and who they are in the story because their existence plays a role in moving it forward.
For starters, backstory. A backstory serves as a means of explanation in who the character is present day. People are shaped by life experiences, so when specific parts of a backstory is shared it provides the audience an insight on who the character is and why––because sometimes the why is the most important. As the character unfolds their actions inwardly and outwardly begin to make sense as far as why and how they choose to handle things. Granted sometimes their abilities to do things are given without backstory, but that’s neither here nor there. Moving forward, now that the backstory has been revealed, so is the character’s greatest challenges, allotting the author more material to implement within the story. With character development they will face obstacles that are either internal or external. From here the characters has to grow or not grow in ways that will help them to conquer their challenges.
Next, is the lens of the character, which can fall in line with the character’s backstory. If they have experienced life a certain way how do they handle life in the present day? Oftentimes you will see that a character has an optimistic view on life or a pessimistic view. This is a great opportunity to develop your character’s voice as well. Character voice is how a character expresses themselves inwardly and outwardly. Depending on how you want to develop your character backstory and character lens can correlate well together. By weaving the two together it gives the audience insight on why the character has the perspective and the ability to guess how the character will react to future challenges.
And finally, the story will need a specific type of character. Each story will have it’s own plot and theme and based on those your character will either be able to exemplify it early on and grow into it later in the book or the series. This can act as a literary device and part of character development because depending on who the character is, will dictate how the story unfolds. There are lot of basic character arcs to choose from so this may not be as difficult as creating the characters backstory and lens. Nonetheless, it is important the three all tie into one another.
For example, the boy who lived. Yes, Harry Potter. One of the greatest stories ever told revolves around a character who’s backstory was enticing, his lens was broad, and the type of character Harry is was courageous. Throughout the Harry Potter series, Harry is an orphan who lives with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, none of which treat Harry with respect. So when the times comes to reveal that Harry is a wizard and is to be shipped off to Hogwarts, Harry was more than thrilled to leave the Dursleys and scurry off into a new world. Though, one has to think, what would it have been like if Harry actually liked his family? Would he have been so quick to leave the house? Would he have wanted to give Hogwarts a chance? Let’s take it a step further, what if Harry was exactly like the Dursleys! I’d like to think if Harry ended up being like the people who raised him, Harry would have not been interested in honing his wizardry and worse, since the Dursleys despised magic, Harry may have turned his back on the wizarding world completing leaving it to be conquered by Lord Voldemort and leaving himself vulnerable to an attack he can only be prepared for if he attended Hogwarts. If Harry were not Harry, the wizarding world and the muggle world would be in ruin.
Therefore, reinforcing the need for a specific type of character in order for the story to unfold; otherwise, there wouldn’t be a story. Or rather the story would definitely go a different way. Harry Potter definitely isn’t the only example. Take a look at your favorite hero. What were their life circumstances and was there ever a possibility for them to not be who they are? If so, reflect on how different the outcome would be if they were the complete opposite.
