Plotters; how do you develop your characters?

[DualDragons]

So for the plotters under us, how do you develop a character as naturally as possible?
What method do you use while working on your script to make sure a character stays true to their personality and traits as they progress through the chapters but also make their development feel natural?

I usually do one character at a time when writing, which means I go back and forth between chapters while writing them. That way I can check and see if they remain consistent over the chapters and I can try to anticipate which directions I can take with the growth of my character. It's not a easy and quick process but it makes sure I don't miss anything when I'll arrive at the stage of actually producing and publishing the comic.

For the pantsers under us, please try to see things from our perspective when you leave your thoughts on this thread.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

The purposes and basic traits of a character is a must-have when you are going to develop them, it is like a rough sketch to paint a full-color image from. Have that backbone first, usually you already have it when generating idea for your story.

After that, you match the backbone with the situations in the plot you will throw them into. Last step is to either rationalize or reference (or both) how would they react and behave in such situation, you can reference it by consuming media containing similarly-natured character, or if it possible ask people you know and trust with same disposition.

I also go back-and-forth when developing, for cross-checking if they behave consistently and true to their designed purpose or nature. I took mental note and also train myself "acting" as them by imagining them in various scenes and various situations.

For me, personality quizzes has helped me a lot in term of fleshing out and developing my characters. By taking the quiz, I train myself to think in my characters' shoes and sometimes faced with questions that said characters will never encounter in the story.

One note: your character will inevitably change as the story progress, or as you develop them, or as your skill develops. It is very natural that as we grow up and widen our perspective, they do grow up too. If the author has character development, the characters too.

[DiegoPalacios]

My approach is hybrid, but i plan my characters a lot, so i can have clear but also flexible guidelines.

When i define which characters i am going to make i don't only define their personality, interests, goals, dislikes, temperament and struggles. (I do this to have a general guideline on how would they react in any situation)

I also focus on the kind of dynamics they will have with other characters and check how well they fit on the story. My choice of the main cast is deliberately synergic, by making the members of the main cast be paired with characters that will lead to the most interesting dynamics.

[ble]

[DualDragons]

[Temteno]

The important part is that I am able to be in the character's head and understand where they come from, even if their actions are not justified. It's important to understand anything that would spring them into action, because those kinds of characters make the plot happen.

I've noticed that I develop characters the best by having conversations with my friends about them. This takes time and willing friend(s) though. So I often opt to do other things.

I tend to search for prompts and character questions to answer as the character. I write/draw short situations with the character(s) doing something unrelated to the plot itself. I also watch movies and read books and comics in a more analytical mindset to unravel what makes specific character work. I also try to be in the shoes of people who would like and dislike the character so I get many perspectives on them.

I think I've succeeded in developing the character when I'm able to answer to questions as them and make the answers somewhat distinct compared to other characters. At best I might not even understand why they would do a thing x, but I have a gut feeling that's what they would do (although cross-referencing to character's written bio is important here. Otherwise I might side-track from their original goal and personality).

[milejdyvan]

It depends on what you mean by develop. Cuz there is developing the character initially (planning) and then developing via actually writing it (letting your readers get to know the character).

For me, coming up with the character and developing them in my head kind of comes naturally. Sometimes I help myself by getting references online, studying about certain personality types has definitely helped me. One thing that every person has to consider is that you don't know your character as well as you think you do. It should always be a learning process (unless you are writing a self-insert which... well I'm not a big fan of anyways so I'll just ignore that part of developing ). Initially, it's great to get the basic idea down but that isn't all. While writing, you will probably come to realize their different traits.

Secondly is the actual writing, for which I have a very basic tool to help anyone. ALWAYS have an end goal for your character. What is the point of them in the story and what is their role? If you know that, then only include information about them in your writing that actually matters for the story. Giving useless development is sometimes fine, but don't overstay your welcome. Make it sparse and make sure that everything your readers learn about your character will come back at a later time for them to go "ahh". Also, don't ever "tell". This one is the more obvious but always show what your character is like and do not tell unless absolutely necessary. If you spoonfeed your readers with "development", they won't have as much of a good time figuring out your characters as they otherwise would.

That is the basics I think. There is so much more to it that I wish more people considered but oh well, a lot of writers like to just write as they go I guess...

[potatogirl]

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[Jenny-Toons]

Most of my stories are small-cast, so focusing on each character (if I need to) is easier.

While writing my script, I generally dedicate certain scenes to each character's mindset and motives. Why do they do what they do? What motivates them to keep going (for better or worse)?

It's important to note that a lot of this development is for myself and won't always be mentioned explicitly in my comics. It helps with dialogue, and helps me really convey their emotions in each panel.

I also do a lot of concept art while scripting. If I've written a scene that I find particularly striking, I sketch it out quickly. Then, I keep going with different scenes, to get a feel for the character's expressions. The more I draw, the more of a tone I create, and then I use that tone in my script. Vice versa, it helps me write more scenes that I will later draw as testing.

Thus, the cycle is repeated.

[Iris-Grimoire]

To keep it simple, by asking questions as if I was interviewing them.

I try to have plot beats of what should happen that I like, but without being set in stone. So I ask, how does X character get to that point? Do they have to develop, is this something they already have? Then the events, what has to change, and if they learn something from it (good or bad). It turns into a spider's web of information but it helps me make their actions justifiable rather than the plot pulling them along.

[Freemints30]

Well I always first make a simple character sheets for my mains so I know what I have to work with for the plot. I also write a vague direction I of where I want their personality to go over the course of the story

Then I outline heavily and try and use each characters ability to get stuff done. With notes on what would happen to them each chapter and how would they change

Then when I write I just write, I feel something's not working, I either extend the scene to give the characters time to breath, cut it out, move for later or maybe give a new direction if I drastically need it whilst still sticking to the main point