Embracing the Unplanned Journey: Character Development for Pantsers

As authors who write by the seat of our pants, affectionately known as "pantsers," the journey of crafting a story is as unpredictable as it is thrilling. Character development, a cornerstone of compelling narrative, can seem daunting without a detailed plan. Yet, it's in the spontaneous flow of creation that some of the most authentic and dynamic characters come to life.

Why Character Development Matters

Characters are the soul of your story. Readers journey with them, feel with them, and invest in their arcs. Well-developed characters enhance the narrative's depth, making the story more relatable and engaging. They drive the plot and influence the story’s direction, often leading to unexpected yet gratifying twists.

Tips for Pantsers on Character Development

Let Spontaneity Guide You: Your lack of a detailed plan is your greatest asset. Allow your characters to reveal themselves through their actions and choices as you write. This organic process can lead to more nuanced and three-dimensional characters.
It’s OKAY to not know what’s going to happen next - follow your character's lead.

Be Open to Evolution: The character you initially envision may not be the one who emerges on the page. Embrace these changes; they often signal that your character is gaining depth and becoming more real.
I’ve shared before that I originally started Encampment to write about a witch attending high school. Encampment doesn’t have anything to do with high school. While writing, I kept having these very clear pictures in my mind of Madeleine shackled to a cave wall. She is nowhere near the character I first pictured - she’s better. I told her story. Be open to listening to your characters. 

Understand Their 'Why': Even if you don’t know all the details of your character's motivations from the start, gradually uncover why they act the way they do. This understanding can evolve with the story, adding layers to your narrative. 

Character motivation is huge. By the end of your novel, you need to know why your character acted the way they did. If that isn’t clear to you, it won’t be clear to readers. 

Expect and Accept Rewrites: As your characters develop, they might take your story in directions you hadn't anticipated. Be prepared to revisit and revise earlier sections to ensure consistency and authenticity in their behavior and the plot.

We all get attached to our writing, but your first version won’t be your best version. I promise you that. Rewrites are not a negative thing! Stories are meant to evolve. You’ll be attached to that final version too and proud of yourself for getting there. 

Dialogue is Key: Conversations can reveal a lot about your characters. Through dialogue, their personalities, quirks, and relationships naturally unfold, offering insights that can shape their development.

Dialogue is surprisingly hard to write. I recommend speaking your written dialogue outloud. Does it sound awkward? Think about overhearing your character conversations in the real world…are they realistic and believable? Dialogue should flow naturally and be things a person would actually say. This takes practice. Dialogue is a great area to get specific feedback on from friends or Beta readers. 

Character Sketches: While detailed outlines might not be your style, consider jotting down spontaneous thoughts or characteristics about your characters as they come to you. These notes can help maintain consistency and depth throughout your story.

I know authors who make entire Pinterest boards for their characters. Doing whatever it takes to clearly visualize your character will be extremely helpful. Bring them to life for yourself so that they come to life for readers. 

Feedback is Your Friend: Sometimes, a fresh perspective can highlight aspects of your characters that you haven’t fully explored. Beta readers or writing groups can offer valuable insights into your character’s believability and complexity.

Take the feedback that makes sense. If every person who reads your story is saying the same thing, that’s something you need to revise. However, writing and reading are subjective and you can choose not to incorporate ALL of the feedback you receive.

Trust the Process: Writing is an act of discovery. Trust your instincts and the process. Your characters will develop in ways that surprise and delight you, often leading to a richer and more compelling narrative.

Like I said above, you may not always know what’s going to happen next and that’s okay. Enjoy the journey - because it’s hands down the best part of storytelling. 

For pantsers, character development is a journey of discovery, filled with surprises and insights that enrich the narrative. By embracing the fluid nature of this writing style, you can create complex, authentic characters that resonate with readers and drive your story forward. Remember, in the realm of spontaneous writing, the absence of a plan doesn’t box you in—it sets you free to explore the vast potential of your narrative and its inhabitants.

If you have character development questions, email me at shalanabattles@gmail.com