What are the most effective strategies for developing characters in creative writing?

??If you don't know your characters well, you won't be able to tell their story. ?In other words, you need to create a detailed sketch of your character. ?However, the level of detail depends on the story you're telling. For instance, it's not always necessary to name the character, reveal their age, their occupation, or their family background. ?In postmodern works, some characters might have no historical background. They might not have names, or they could be named alphabetically, and readers might know nothing about their families or jobs. ??So, think carefully before outlining your character's portrait.

"Show, don't tell" is a well-known technique for writers. Here are some tips from my five years of writing experience to help you apply it better: ?Instead of writing "A is a good person", show these traits through their actions and emotions. For example, if you want the reader to see A as a good person, describe A helping an old woman cross the street or saving a child from a car accident. ?Focus on exploring the psychological development of your characters. This helps readers understand them better. ?Create storylines and details that align with your characters' traits. If you want to show a character transitioning from good to bad or vice versa, develop a plot that supports this change realistically.

??Creating a world with characters diverse in age, race, and gender will make your work more engaging and attract a wider audience. ??You can also write about people with in-between backgrounds such as: refugees, half-breed... to make your work stand out in the literary world. ??However, diversity is not always necessary. Sometimes a story focuses on a specific ethnic group, but if it has an engaging plot and unique characters, it will still capture readers' attention. ?? So, be flexible in your creativity.

??A character's personality is clearly shown through dialogue and internal monologues. ??So, use these two methods flexibly. Make dialogue a journey of character discovery, not just a conversation between two people. ??Internal dialogue allow characters to express their feelings and give readers deeper insight into their thoughts. Sometimes a character's actions are driven by hidden struggles, not just their immediate desires. ??By effectively using both forms in your work, you will more easily captivate your readers.

I think smart writing is to transfer such a great meaning with the least and simple words as you can.. readers should feel themselves in the character’s shoes even if they are totally against him in the real world, especially if they were!

To develop characters in creative writing, you need to: ?Broaden your life experiences. Challenge yourself with different careers and live in various places if possible. This helps you learn about different cultures and people, expanding your knowledge to apply in your creative work. ?Avoid rigidly following character-building rules. Be flexible in every situation and with every work, ensuring that your style is evident and your characters uniquely reflect your writing. ?Always put yourself in your character's shoes to understand them. This allows you to ask strategic questions to build unique, memorable characters for your readers.

A line in a show, "Acting tip no. X - have a solid backstory for your character." That makes it - relatable - believable - awesome-able