Character Development
Character Development: Building a Compelling Protagonist
The foundation of any story lies in the character’s backstory, which forms the heart of a character. However, the story truly gets underway when an inciting event, known as a catalyst, occurs. This event disrupts the character’s status quo and motivates them to take action, pulling them into the story’s central conflict and driving the narrative forward.
As an example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry’s backstory as an orphan living with his neglectful relatives shapes his early identity and feelings of isolation. The catalyst - receiving an acceptance letter to Hogwarts - pulls him out of this world and into a new realm of magic and possibility. This moment not only sets the stage for conflict with dark forces, but also introduces key themes of belonging, identity, and courage.
The Three Pillars of a Workable Goal
Once a character is engaged and moving towards a goal, their personality and motivations are gradually revealed through their thoughts, actions, and interactions with other characters - who may either support or oppose them. For a character’s goal to function effectively, it must meet three key requirements:
Stakes: There must be something at stake that convinces the reader or audience that a significant loss will occur if the character fails. Without this sense of urgency, the audience will not invest emotionally in the story or root for the character.
Conflict: The goal should place the protagonist in direct opposition to an antagonist whose goals clash with theirs. This conflict creates tension and raises the story’s stakes, making the character’s journey even more compelling.
Challenge and Growth: The task or goal should be difficult enough to require the character to change or grow. The most memorable characters are transformed through this pursuit, demonstrating strength, sincerity, and motivation. Characters who merely claim to want something, but do not act convincingly, are difficult to believe in.
Why These Elements Matter
Characters need these elements to clearly define who they are, what they want, why they want it, and what they are willing to do to achieve it. If any of these elements are missing, the character becomes confused and unfocused.
Moreover, a character’s development should reveal something about the human condition or reflect aspects of ourselves. Empathising and identifying with what is happening, creates our connection with the character and the story. And identification is the thing, otherwise we won’t care what happens.
Empathy and Complexity
In essence, the audience must hope for the best and fear the worst for the main character or protagonist. The protagonist does not need to be likeable or a traditional hero; what matters more is that they are fully developed, in some way flawed, and facing obstacles they must overcome. The antagonist can be a person, society, nature - or even a part of the protagonist themselves.
Questions to Guide Your Character Development
Is my character motivated by action or just talk?
Is there a clear moment when my character becomes fully involved in the story?
Do we understand why they begin to act? What is their motivation?
What is my character’s goal? Is it compelling enough to sustain a three-act structure?
Does my character face a worthy antagonist who opposes their goal?
What drives the antagonist?
Is my character active or passive in pursuing their goal? Do their actions align with the storyline’s needs?