the writer's room discussion

Do you have any tips in writing character development that seems realistic and gradual whilst not being forced?

What I try to do is make sure I'm checking in with my character's and their emotions, especially after something happened that might challenge the way they respond to it. So, over the course of your story, you can write how they respond maybe less and less like the "old" way and include their changed perspective. Also frequently mentioning how they used to do things while actively accepting that they're no longer doing things that way.

Thank you, Summer and Bones. The examples were helpful!

Characters are what they want.

I start with certain flaws or strengths my characters have and then go from there. How do they motivate the characters to grow? What situations might force my characters to change or make difficult choices?

I think one thing to keep in mind is that change doesn't happen overnight. A way to make it realistic is show, rather than outright tell, the changes that are happening to the character. Maybe they do something they didn't use to, and the reader - or other characters -pick up on that.

so one thing i do is have my character have a specific personal goal in the beginning and then by the end of the book that’s shifted somewhat, if that makes sense? that helps, just move it bit by bit

and one thing that really helps me is to have a revision or a draft just focused on the character and their main themes, so for example if you want one of your characters to run their hands through their hair when they’re stressed out then you read through your draft and find every time they’re stressed and edit in the fact that they’re running their fingers through their hair, if that makes sense!

hope this helps somewhat :)