The Essential Key to Compelling Character Development

By Sandrina de Klerk

Why do so many characters in novels fall flat? Why do so many characters in movies come across as undeveloped? Or why do our own characters still feel flat even after filling out a hundred different character questionnaire forms? 

Okay, I have some shocking news. Character questionnaires are not the key to developed characters.

Many writers (old and new) make this mistake. They might pour time into their characters, know their favorite ice-cream flavor, where they were born, and what their first word was, but they don’t really know their character. 

Ever read a story with an inconsistent, bland and forgettable protagonist? You probably don’t remember. Chances are, you didn’t really get the character. They weren’t fleshed out, flat as a pancake, so, honestly, you didn’t care to see what the outcome of the story would be. 

But what about the stories where you were in love with the character? Where you really knew them and however long and painful the journey to the end would be, you were going to be right there for all of it. All the little quirks in characters are important--but what do we truly love about them?

In this article, we will discover the number one key to writing a developed character, how other movies and books have used this key, and how you can do it too. Are you ready? Then read on! 

The Key

Know your character at the very core. What are they when everything else is stripped away? Ignore all the backstory (if you know me, I love backstory, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.) What are they if there was nothing else? 

The dictionary definition of essence is: the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character.

Why is this important? 

As I’ve talked about before, backstory is a huge part of character. Who raises us, what childhood is like, the experiences we have, where we grow up, the relationships, heartbreaks, and joys, all shape us into who we become. But, there is something to be said for what would remain the same if everything else were changed. 

If you took a character from your fantasy story and dropped him into a contemporary setting with a whole new backstory, would you recognise him? Would he still be the same character? Or would  he be unrecognizable? 

When I talk about the “essence of a character”, I’m talking about their core. It’s who they would be even if you placed them in a story ninety years into the future, or seventy-six years in the past. It's what makes them themselves - and that’s not their favorite ice-cream flavor.

In order to properly explain this, I’m going to show you a couple of examples.

 Examples of Character Essences

  1. Captain America

(From the Avengers and Marvel movies)

Let’s take good old Captain America; the little guy from Brooklyn, the man who knocked out Adolf Hitler over 200 times. At his core, Cap is a good man (though not a perfect soldier, of course). He’s loyal, persistent, sacrificial and humble. He wants to do what’s right, he doesn’t back down from a fight, and if he’s knocked down, he always gets back up. 

He’s also really good at inspirational speeches.

From Captain America: First Avenger through to Avengers: Endgame, these things are central parts of Steve Rogers. You can take him from World War II and drop him in 2011, and he’s still Steve Rogers, because those elements make him who he is. 

There are several strong scenes throughout the film that show us Steve’s core, and this is what makes us care about him so much. One of the best examples of these scenes is about twenty-three minutes into the movie. Dr. Abraham Erskine gave the small, skinny guy a chance in the military when no one else believed he’d be of any value. When Colonel Phillips throws a dummy grenade into their drill, the other men all run and take cover--except Steve. He’s on top of the grenade. Within one powerful scene, we’re shown that Steve is sacrificial, wants to do the right thing, and he cares about others. 

2.  Louis Zamperini

(From the movie Unbroken) 

“If I can take it, I can make it.” 

“A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory.”

These two lines sum up Louie pretty well.

He doesn’t give up. He keeps going when it’s tough. He hates being out of control or unable to help someone. He holds onto hope, and keeps others hopeful. He hates unfairness, and he’s compassionate. 

There’s a few elements I’ve listed from this character. Again, these things are made clear to us throughout the film and scenes, but these things would be the same in Louie was his story 50 years in the past. 

3.  Jo March

(From Little Women)

She’s free spirited, sometimes rash, cares deeply, and would rather be in the middle of something than watching from the sidelines. She has a short temper, but comes back around, she’s forever loyal, and when she loves, loves with all she’s got. 

There’s a sequence in the film/book, where Amy and Jo have a fall out. Amy burns Jo’s novel. This scene shows Jo’s temper and passion, but then we see her love come through when Amy falls in the ice. Afterwards, you see that Jo comes back with even more love and loyalty than ever before. 

The Practice

Knowing the very core and essence of your character is what will flesh them out. Make them real and believable to your readers and yourself. Three things will happen! 

We’ve looked at characters and nailed down what their essence actually is. We could take any of the three aforementioned characters, put them in any time period and location, and keep the same character. It’s helpful to see, but how do we actually do it ourselves? 

Start with ranting to yourself on your character. Either write it down, or record it. Everything about your character that you can think of. 

Smart, fast, caring, loves to help, etc. 

Are they sarcastic? Do they love to make people laugh? Do they hate being wrong? Will they go out of their way to show someone they care? Will they avoid conflict at all costs, or do they search for it?

Everything aside from backstory, their misbelief, or the theme of their story. Simply them. The character. Without all the author's attempts to ruin their life.

Remove your character from their story setting, and look at them outside of any misfortunes you’ve added to their lives. What wouldn’t change about your fantasy sword-fighting-rebel if his story was in modern day America?

Go as far as trying to write them in a different time and place. If you’re struggling to make it work with your own character, try taking one from your favorite book or film and try it out with them as practice. 

So! Flat and undeveloped characters are a problem, but not one that has no solution! By figuring out your character’s essence, you will make readers fall in love with your characters, and improve your story. 

Have you ever figured out what your character’s essence is?