Hello, to all my peers, in the wonderful world of creative - Indie Writing, and beyond.
My name is, Dr. Monica Handy, author of, Write The Book Already! Course Set. I created these books because I am - and will probably always be - a bit of a pantser. You know, the type of writer who flies by the seat of their pants. But let’s be honest; freestyling your way through an entire manuscript may be possible, but it isn’t always practical.
I struggled in my own writing journey with transitional phrasing and consistent character development. Instead of enjoying the acquaintance and evolution of my characters, I found myself frustrated and ready to throw in the towel.
My goal was simple: get all of my ideas out of my head, onto paper, and present them to the world as a masterpiece.
Ta-Da!
Well guess what?
Those vivid ideas in my head did not translate well on paper, and it sucked! What made it worse? They sucked publicly.
Still, one thing I couldn't do was give up. Because, although I lacked technique, I was still a story-teller, meant to impact people's lives. And I have a feeling that if you're here reading this, you are too.
So, from time to time, I'll be sharing comprehensive and practical tips from Write The Book Already! - the same tools that helped me convey my ideas clearly, strengthen my craft, and engage readers with intention instead of frustration.
Today, we'll start with, Character Development. It's not as hard as you think.
Creating Characters Readers Will Love
(Pairs with Workbook Section 2: Character Profile)
Characters are the lifeblood of your story. They are the ones your readers will follow, root for, yell at, and miss when the last page is turned. Plot might keep the pages turning, but characters are the reason readers care what happens next.
Your characters do not need to be perfect. They need to feel real. We love characters with strengths, flaws, quirks, and contradictions, just like actual people. Take Forrest Gump, for example. He is flawed and quirky, yet balanced with a sincerity that makes him unforgettable.
Getting to Know Your Characters
Think of your main character like a new friend you are getting to know over coffee. At first, you know the basics. As the conversation deepens, you learn their fears, motivations, and habits.
A character sketch helps you capture that understanding on paper. In the workbook, you will explore:
- Core desire (what they want)
- Biggest fear (what they want to avoid)
- Motivation (why they pursue their goal)
- Conflict (what stands in their way)
When you understand these elements, your characters begin making decisions that feel natural and believable.
A Quick Example
Imagine a character named Maya. She is a talented chef with a dream of opening her own restaurant. That is her core desire. Her biggest fear is financial failure, shaped by watching her parents lose everything. That fear influences her choices, sometimes helping her and sometimes holding her back.
When readers understand Maya this deeply, they become invested in her outcome.
A character development worksheet is included below to help you begin shaping your own characters. It is a tool I have used repeatedly to stay focused and grounded while writing.
The full chapter and additional companion exercises are available in the Write The Book Already! Manual and Companion Workbook Set.
Availability Note: The Write The Book Already Course Book Collection is available right here on Payhip as convenient PDF downloads, offering:
- Instant downloads
- Unlimited personal printing
- & Print - anytime worksheets
The manual is also available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited, and the workbook is available in paperback on Amazon.com.
Happy Writing
Let’s keep the conversation going.
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