Character Growth! (017)

Welcome to the seventeenth episode of the Author Alchemist! In today's Alchemical Lesson, I explore the transformative power of allowing your characters to change. I hope I get you to trust your characters and show you how important it is to allow your imagination to roam free, for their sake as well as yours!

This discussion was sparked by a Tumblr post I wrote (under my Cooper West penname) that delves into the choices authors face when shaping their characters. Using the character Peter Hale from "Teen Wolf" as an example, I contemplate the dilemma of confining characters to static roles versus letting them evolve.

The 'easy way out' keeps characters one-dimensional in order to conform to genre expectations, while embracing character development can lead to richer, more engaging narratives. Characters like Peter Hale and Loki from Marvel have shown that even within familiar zones (good, bad, indifferent), growth is possible, often elevating them to fan-favorite status.

As a pantser, I admit it's not always easy to navigate these character shifts, as they can unexpectedly reshape plotlines. However, the key takeaway here is to embrace the challenge, trust your characters, and let their development guide your storytelling. So, fellow writers, lean into those character arcs, whether during outlining or writing – you might be surprised where they take you!