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.
(Continued in Develop a Growing Fantasy Character - Part 2)
