NaNoWriMo Series: Writing Tip #6

Character development has to be, hands down, my favorite thing to work on. From their backstory to the relationships woven through dialogue. Once you know who your characters are, everything that you've been trying to write seems to spill out faster than you can jot it down. When I was writing my Alvin and the Chipmunk fanfictions at the ripe age of 12, I was up to all hours of the night handwriting out stories in a journal by the literal light of the moon because I needed to get them down. Every character has their own unique design just like humans. The further you go, the more your story will come to life.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you get started:

1. How many characters do I have in my story?

2. Which ones are the main characters and which ones are just filler?

3. Who needs a full character bio sheet and who just needs a name?

4. Do I have too many characters in my story to move the plot along or not enough?

If you want to learn more NaNoWriMo tips, check out the 30 Days of Tips that will unfold this month. Can't wait? Then check out my mini-course on The Basics of Storytelling that's available for $1. I look forward to seeing you in whatever form I appear. Until next time.

About the Author

Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who specializes in writing dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. She is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. She has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. Follow her on IG or Pinterest to know the latest.