CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is how an author or a screenwriter brings a character alive on the page or the screen. (Note: Character Development of the protagonist ~ the character who is most changed by the dramatic action in the story ~ is often one of the most neglected elements in a memoir.)

People read books and watch movies 70% for the character. We love slipping out of our own lives and inside characters' lives. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT allows us to do that.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is a critical element of plot. Yet, as important as Character development is, it is only part of the overall picture.

Plot is a series of SCENES deliberately arranged by CAUSE AND EFFECT to create DRAMATIC ACTION filled with CONFLICT to further the CHARACTER EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT and provide THEMATIC SIGNIFICANCE. Creating unique characters from scratch and making them believable and likeble, embody enough depth and complexity to hold a reader's interest for the duration of the project, use just the right voice and are three-dimensional is no small feat. Developing characters includes consideration of a multitude of elements: Background Physical Appearance Educational Experience Mannerisms Personality types CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND PLOT As challenging and layered as creating compelling characters is, creating the Character Development plot line is more straight-forward. Character Development for plot is focused on throughout the Blockbuster Plots website. Take the Test To determine whether you are primarily a character-driven writer versus a dramatic action-driven writer, take THE TEST. Again, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is a critical element of plot. However, DRAMATIC ACTION and THEMATIC SIGNIFICANCE deserve equal attention. WHERE TO GO FOR MORE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT HELP? For more PLOT TIPS on CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, go to PLOT TIPS. For PLOT TOOLS to help deepen your CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT plot line on the overall story level and at the scene level both, go to PLOT TOOLS. For a PRIVATE PLOT CONSULTATION focusing on the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT plot line, go to PLOT CONSULTATION. For PLOT WORKSHOPS that focus on CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT plot line development, to EVENTS AND RESOURCES. If you are a teacher and would like to help your students' improve reading comprehension skills and writing skills go to Teachers Guide. ©2008 Martha Alderson. All Rights Reserved. This document and all documents on this website are copyrighted material. Any use of content requires prior written permission.