How to Develop a Growing Fantasy Character

Writing fantasy opens opportunity to develop unique, interesting characters. An idea gives birth, a fantasy character emerges with a smudge of detail and grows. Character growth involves the self-discovery process. They learn along with the reader that the character is more than first believed. Character growth and development takes readers on an engaging journey that creates an emotional bond with the reader causing them to care one way or another; they'll either love the character or hate them.

The fantasy journey or quest is the means or vehicle that bring about self-discovery. In my novel Windwalker, one of the lead characters lives content as a social outcast until upheaval not only forces him from a complacent life as a goat herd but also challenges him with opportunities to grow. These opportunities engage the reader and in some cases may cause them to grow as well.

How to Introduce Characters

Introduce fantasy characters within the context of the story allowing them to naturally step into the reader's imagination. There's no need to describe every character in a crowded bar. Develop enough fantasy characters to support the plot and subplots. If they aren't necessary to move the plot along, they don't need to be pointed out. Too many characters with strange names that don't really support the story or plot confuse the reader.

Introduce a main character to the reader first to get them familiar enough to start to know them individually before thrusting them into a mix of characters. This can be accomplished by writing from the lead character's point of view.

If a character walks in feeling head and shoulders taller than the riffraff in the smoky bar and throws his poncho over his shoulder before resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, when the barkeep locks eyes with him and ticks his head toward the curtain leading to the backroom, the reader is familiar enough with the character to keep him straight even if he meets three more characters in the back room. He's tall, wears a poncho and carries a sword.

In this example, the only secondary character needed is the barkeep who helps to move the plot along. Physical features can be added as characters interact with other characters and their environment. Things like raking his fingers through his shoulder-length dark hair, or noticing the other character's staring at the scar on his cheek, or rubbing cold, gnarled fingers stiff from being broken and never healed properly all present naturally emerging details that create a distinct character without bogging the flow of the story with detail dumps that bore the reader.

How to Keep Characters Straight

The fantasy writing process takes the writer on quite an adventure. Inserting new scenes, moving text around, or adding a plot thread creates avenues to introduce confusion. Make sure your lead character's knowledge of the characters around them is consistent with what the reader knows.

In Chapter 6 of Pumping Your Muse, I introduce a simple flow chart idea that's easy to update as your story evolves. "Draw a circle to represent each main character. Divide the circle down the center horizontally. The top half represents people the character knows first hand, while the bottom half is used to track people the character learned about through second hand means." Keep such a flow chart updated as you make story changes.

Naming Your Fantasy Characters

The name of your fantasy character can influence their role. One site I find useful is www.babynames.com. The extensive list of names also gives the meaning and origin. Choosing the right name may also present information that works as a catalyst in the development of your character. If you find a name that means strong but also means ruler of thunder, the secondary information could influence your character's role or abilities.

When naming your fantasy characters I offer two cautions:

As a fantasy writer, you want readers to talk about your book. If they can't pronounce the name of your characters, it will limit what they have to say. And when choosing names, avoid names that sound the same. The right name sets the character apart. Even names starting with the same letter can become confusing. Joshua and Justin don't sound the same, but because they are similar in length and start with the same letter they could become confusing.

Character Growth and Background

Growth of your fantasy character will be based on a starting point. Who are they? Where do they come from and what's important to them?

For example: If your character grows up in a pre-modern world without parents. Their concept of family will be different from the child of noble birth growing up within a family situation with parents and servants. It will reflect in their interaction with authority. It's part of their growth and development. One character may need to overcome overbearing parents while the other may have to learn to trust people.

Again, do not dump a pile of background information in one spot to teach the reader what they need to know. Instead, incorporate threads of backstory naturally like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the complete picture.