How to Develop a Character when writing a Novel

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By Wasatch
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Developing a character when writing a novel can be the difference between a novel that is pleasant to read or one that is cumbersome. The more readers identify with a character the more likely they keep reading.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

First develop a character by physical description. Obvious things like hair color, height, weight, build, and so forth as well as describing clothing and the setting they are in will develop a mental picture for the reader of you novel. Don't over describe, but use specifics to help a novel reader create a picture of you character.
Step 2

Actions, speech patterns, thoughts and behavior towards other all help create an image. These things help a reader associate people and situations they know with your character.
Step 3

How they react to situations and other characters actions. These thing tell a reader if they are meek, aggressive, reasonable, educated and so forth. Again it paints an image of situations and individuals they have experience with. Even stereo types of education, gender, ethnicity, rich or poor background will form powerful images and should not be avoided.
Step 4

Often a narrator makes direct comment about a character or analysis of actions or flaws help build a character for the reader.