Development - Character Development in the Picture of the Creative Process

4 March 2012, Development - Character Development in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

As you might have surmised from my description of the development of Aksinya as a character, the demon also must have a developed character before the novel starts.  A novel is not really a place to develop a character but rather to reveal a character.  The main character might show a change in character--that is true character development, but there always exists at the beginning a character that the author reveals.  I am using the language very specifically here--if it sounds strange to you, think about it.  A character already has a developed character before the novel begins.  Within the novel, the author reveals the character of the characters.  The main character might have a change in character.  We usually call the revelation of the character character development.  As I pointed out, this is sloppy use of language.

I showed you parts of the character of Aksinya.  Within the novel, I reveal the depth of Aksinya's character to you.  I also do this with the demon.  I don't wish to say the demon is a simpler character, but the reality is that he is more simple than a human.  That doesn't mean his actions as less complex--the demon always acts in a singular fashion.  A great deal of the novel is to reveal this to Aksinya.  As it is revealed to Aksinya, it is also revealed to the reader.

Asmodeus has the character of a demon--we'll look at that tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.