Last week we looked at some big picture questions you need to be asking either before you begin writing (if you’re a plotter) or while editing (if you’re a pantser). If you missed that post, here’s a link to it.
Today, I’d like to cover some more detailed questions—not minute questions like what color eyes does your protagonist have, but a little closer in than last week’s.
Speaking of your protagonist, let’s look first at character development.
We can think of character development two different ways: 1) the development or creation of your characters or 2) how your characters develop or grow over the course of your novel.
To address the first meaning, here’s my question:
- Just how well do you( and therefore the reader) know your main characters?
Do you know both their internal and external goals, motivation and conflict? If you’re unsure what I mean by that, you can read this blog where I discuss GMC in depth.
- Do you know what wound your character carries with them and how it colors the way they see the world?
Pop over here to learn more about a character’s wound.
Now, for the second meaning of character development.
- How does your protagonist(s) grow over the course of your novel? Where do they begin and where do they end?
I’m certain you’re aware that you protagonist(s) must grow and learn through your novel. This does not need to be life-changing existential growth, although it certainly could be. But it does need to be clear that the character learned some life lesson as they made their way from the beginning of the book to the end. So your question is:
The second topic I’d like to cover today is a big one: World Building.
No, wait! People who do not write science fiction, fantasy, or paranormal also need to know about world building. No matter what genre of fiction you write, you are still creating a universe within your novel in which your reader will dwell as they read your book.
If you write contemporary novels set in our present time regardless of the genre— you are still creating a world for your readers. The only difference is you probably can assume your reader already understands the rules of this world.
So, here are some questions you should ask yourself:
- What is the significance of the setting to the story? Why is your book set where it is?
There is certainly a reason why you have chosen to set your book where it is. Having it take place in New York City is going to create a very different vibe than if it were set in Boonsboro, Maryland. (yes, that’s a real place—it’s where the book store owned by Nora Roberts husband is located.)
Along the same lines:
- Does your setting determine how your characters act? Does it limit them (thereby providing conflict)? Or provide them with opportunities?
The setting can do a lot more than just provide a background for your story. It affects the story as well, and can even be an antagonist. How your characters act within the setting can be an important part of who they are, or show why they behave the way they do. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity to show more about your characters.
- Is there someplace in the setting that holds special significance to your protagonist? What does it mean to them and how does that affect the story or the character?
This is building on the last question and providing a way for you to add depth and meaning to both the setting and the character within that setting.
- If you are writing speculative fiction (fantasy, paranormal, or scifi) are the rules of the world clear and logical?
In speculative fiction the rule of the world are vital to the story. They determine how people behave and what they can or can’t do. A character can break the laws of the world, but they cannot break the rules. What do I mean by that? It means that if your protagonist only has three wishes, they cannot suddenly get a fourth to save them. If mind-reading is not a Thing in your world, your character cannot suddenly have that ability in order to get through some nastiness. You, the author, cannot break the rules of the world you created. They are there for a reason and one of them is to provide conflict. So think carefully about the rules as you create them and what the consequences are for giving abilities to your characters. Don’t make life too easy for them, you’ll take all the fun out of it.
So, I hope these questions are helpful and give you something to think about. Next week I will tackle the questions anyone who writes romance—or even just has a romance in their novel of another genre—should ask.