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Stages of Development in Fictional Characters

The process of developing a fictional character is known as characterization. Coming up with a character is often a daunting and tricky task for any writer, which is why it is recommended that you follow all the different stages of character development to make the process easier on yourself and your characters more believable.



Here is a step-by-step guide on developing good fictional characters.
  1. Personal Details

    • The first stage of character development is the most basic but also the most important as it creates a base for your character. Make a list of the character's personal details. This might include full name, date and place of birth, age, race and any other similar information.

    Background

    • The second stage should revolve around information on the character's family and childhood. For example, think about their mother, father, occupations, siblings, birth order, childhood background and schooling.

    Characteristics

    • The next stage should focus on the characteristics of your character. Make note of some important aspects of the character, including bad and good habits, strong points, temperament, attitude, fears and secrets.

    Likes and Dislikes

    • It is then important to list down any likes and styles your character may possess. This should include music, books, films, sports, political and social beliefs.

    Lifestyle

    • The final stage is to come up with your character's current lifestyle and situation. Think about details like his home, neighborhood, town, marriage, children, best friend, job, car and religion.

Fiction

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