Self-edit Your Novel Characters (Part 2)

In this multi-post series, you’ll discover techniques and technology to help you self-edit. Part 2 offers advice on scene-by-scene editing of characters.

Structure (Part 2): Edit Characters

A story’s heartbeat emanates from characters, and their evolving lives capture readers’ attention and shape the novel’s trajectory:

• Roles contribute to the storyline.
• Careers often sway those roles.
• Desires guide thoughts, choices, and actions.
• Resistance to change hinders protagonist’s problem solving.
• Unsolved problems create conflict and build tension. 
• Individual and group connections affect story direction.
• Traits and behaviors influence reactions to plot events.
• Distinctive character voices engage readers.
• Dialogue effects the story’s pace.

Edit Characters and Create an Inventory

The creation of character profiles is essential to maintaining consistency within a novel and across a series.

Scrivener stores character profiles in a folder for easy retrieval. But for a series, keeping every profile in your current draft can prove cumbersome.

To solve this issue with your current draft:

• Organize the profiles within the Characters folder, and for each scene,
• Enter Custom Metadata to show who appeared onstage (+) or offstage (-).

For a series, maintain a main inventory in a separate Scrivener file, and set up Custom Metadata to show characters’ roles and the books in which they appear.

Give Characters Distinctive Voices

As you edit each scene, review the dialogue and inner thoughts to decide if a character’s voice fits the genre’s conventions, tropes, and styles. Then ask:

• Do speech patterns align with character profiles and quirks?
• Do the relationship dynamics increase conflict and tension?
• Do the action beats and body language show emotions?
• Does the mixture of dialogue and narrative create the right pace?

Edit Characters’ Actions and Reactions 

As you analyze each scene, determine if the right characters are present, and check to see if their actions and reactions match their profiles.

For example, did the point-of-view character or a supporting cast member:

• Emphasize the scene problem to resolve?
• Show the goal to resolve the problem?
• Establish a goal that aligns with the plot’s premise?
• Reveal stakes that compel character to achieve goal?
• Show how inner issues hinder progress toward solving problem?
• Convey what happens if goal not achieved?
• Identify how goal failure affects the character?
• Show the knowledge gained and by whom?
• Convey progress or setback?

Free Character Template

Related Posts

• A Character Template to Help Busy Writers Solve the Writing Puzzle
• Dare to Create Unique Character Descriptions and Distinct Voices
• The Ultimate Free Character Template and Arc
• Develop Characters Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 1)
• Develop Character Voices and Descriptions Using Enneagram Personality Types (Part 2)
• Organize Your Character Profiles
• Get the Free Character Template for Scrivener
• Villain Characters Are Heroes in Their Stories

Resources

• The Trellis Method: A Unique Writing System
• Story Characters Development Workbook

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How do you create and organize your dynamic characters?

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