Tech Level Exclusive: How I Develop Complex Characters

Whether I'm crafting a short story or diving into a multi-book series, I need to know everything about my characters—down to what's in their pockets, wallets, and purses. Their behaviors, history, education, and even their favorite color shape who they are and influence how they react to the world around them.

For me, visualization is key. I picture my characters moving through their lives, imagining how they interact with their surroundings, what habits they’ve formed, and how their past influences their decisions. Since I started using Plottr, managing these details has become much easier. Instead of drowning in a sea of Post-it notes (at least that’s what I tell myself), I now keep everything organized in digital character sheets.

If you're struggling with character creation, I highly recommend downloading a character sheet. Many D&D sites and author resources offer free templates that help you track the little details that bring a character to life. You don’t have to commit every trait to memory like I do, but keeping a reference handy ensures your characters stay true to character throughout your writing.

We’ve all read books or watched movies where a character suddenly does or says something completely out of character—it’s jarring and pulls the audience out of the story. Avoiding that inconsistency starts with knowing your character inside and out.

What’s your method for developing characters? Do you keep notes, use software, or let them evolve as you write? Let’s discuss!