Comments on: Three Ways to Develop Characters in Fiction

By: Connie T.

Connie T. — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:26:19 +0000

This was super helpful. I start out with the basics for my characters and try to listen to them for any changes they want. I've always thought that was weird since it's my story and my pen. Even my non-writing friends don't believe characters tell the writer what to do. Recently, after lunch with my sisters, I mentioned I needed to get back to my computer and see how Mitch got out of the fix I put him in. Pat asked me if I had someone helping me write it? I told her no. She was adamant that I should know what he did. Neither one of my sisters believed the characters talked to the author. I published one book before I retired. It was a disaster. Now I write for something to do.

By: J R Tomlin

J R Tomlin — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:32:12 +0000

I disagree that in character discovery, you start with a blank slate. If your character in that first chapter has no personality or background at all, why are they there? At least for me, it starts with a vague picture of the character in my mind: a young nobleman, grief-stricken and angry after receiving word that his father was executed and his lands seized, or a bastard, landless and scorned, determined to make his way in the world. Then they grow from there. But of course, we all have our own methods.

By: Joseph Lallo

Joseph Lallo — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 01:14:32 +0000

In reply to Jim Finley. It'll certainly help with staying consistent and guiding starting points and trajectories for dialogue!

By: Joseph Lallo

Joseph Lallo — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 01:13:27 +0000

In reply to Debby Lee. It's my favorite way to define my career. I argue with people who aren't there, sometimes they win the argument, and then I jot it all down.

By: Jim Finley

Jim Finley — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:42:18 +0000

I create detailed character biographies for important characters - along with their histories, I often look for photos of faces that look to me as if they fit the personalities. Also, I'm a retired therapist and did countless intake interviews and assessments of clients, so I may include a diagnostic profile based on the DSM - it lists behavioral criteria both for primary (Axis I) diagnoses like PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, and for personality disorders (Axis II.) Most of us have tendencies toward various diagnoses, although they may not be prominent enough to rate a clinical diagnosis. But if a character tends toward the narcissistic, for example, the DSM behavioral criteria can be a starting point for how that character would act and what they'd think and say.
Probably way too in-the-weeds for my own good, but I enjoy it and it works for me.

By: Lisa Norman

Lisa Norman — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:21:34 +0000

Thanks for another great post, Joseph. As an unashamed super-fan, I can say that the AI character you mention is one of my favorites. She's delightful. I'm a pretty dedicated pantser at this point. I did try plotting, but found the story bored me after I knew where it was going. I love the concept of improv with characters and I have definitely had those wonderful moments when writing. Hmmm... may need to try that on a scene I've been struggling with...

By: Debby Lee

Debby Lee — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:19:42 +0000

Great article about the pros and cons of plotting versus pansting. I like the suggestion about having conversations with imaginary friends. This will be helpful for me.

By: Joseph Lallo

Joseph Lallo — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:18:37 +0000

In reply to Matthew. For sure. In my experience, the best banter is one of those things that develops very organically. The one who busts the chops and the one whose chops get busted.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:19:45 +0000

In developing pairs of characters (besides the first person narrator) I discover that one is always the wise-cracker, the other more serious! 😂

By: Joseph Lallo

Joseph Lallo — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:52:32 +0000

In reply to Sally M. Chetwynd. It's definitely great fun meeting the characters you're sending on adventures. So often they end up having better (or at least more interesting) ideas of how to deal with obstacles than us lowly authors do.