Crafting Compelling Characters: Character Development Techniques

At Dimension Comics, we strive to breathe life into our characters and we do that by utilizing some tried-and-true character development techniques from some of the top industry professionals. We have put together this list of our top 5 things we try to incorporate with each character. This may not be a full list of things to consider when writing a great character like Yelm (Severed Souls) or Alishia (The Matriarch) but it gives you a great start.

Start with a Strong Foundation:

Every great character begins with a solid foundation. Think about their backstory, personality traits, and motivations.

"Character, to me, is the most important thing in the story. If you can have a great character, that's 90% of the battle." ~ Brian Michael Bendis

Give Them Depth and Flaws:

No one is perfect, and neither are your characters. Give them flaws and quirks that make them relatable and human.

"Flaws are what make characters interesting. Nobody wants to read about a perfect person." ~ Amanda Conner

Show, Don't Tell:

Instead of telling readers about your character's traits, show them in action. Let their words and actions speak for themselves, allowing readers to form their own opinions.

"Don't tell me who your character is. Show me what they do, and I'll tell you who they are." ~ Kelly Sue DeConnick

Give Them Relationships and Conflicts:

Characters don't exist in a vacuum. Give them relationships with other characters that add depth and complexity to their personalities.

"What makes a character interesting is what they're not telling you." ~ Frank Miller

Allow for Growth and Change:

Characters should evolve throughout your story. Let them learn from their experiences and make mistakes along the way.

"Characters have to change and grow to remain interesting." ~ Gail Simone

By following these techniques and tips you can help ensure that any character will be remembered long after the final page. So, go out and start building some memorable characters.

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If you have questions or comments on this topic, please be sure to drop us a line at dimensioncomicsinfo@gmail.com