Editing For Character Development

Storytelling is a craft, but great character development? That’s an art. Whether you’re deep in the editing process or still fleshing out your first draft, Whether you’re refining your manuscript with a professional editor or still shaping your first draft, strong character development is what keeps readers truly invested. But even the best characters often need refining, which is where editing for character development comes in.

The best characters feel so real they might as well step off the page, grab a coffee, and start texting you their emotional baggage. But crafting that level of depth doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intention, nuance, and a willingness to dig deep into what makes people tick—both the fictional ones and the ones you see in the mirror.

So, how do you take a name and a vague idea and turn them into a fully realized person? It all starts with asking the right questions.

1. What’s Pushing Them Forward?

Every human being, real or imagined, has desires. A character without a deep, driving want is just a collection of quirks and dialogue. What keeps them moving forward? What are they willing to fight for? The stronger the desire, the more compelling the story.

And no, “wanting to be happy” doesn’t count. Happiness is a byproduct of something more specific. Maybe they want to reclaim their family’s lost legacy. Maybe they want revenge on the high school nemesis who stole their idea and built a multi-million-dollar empire. Or, maybe they just really, really want to bake the perfect croissant.

Whatever it is, make sure it’s urgent. Make sure it matters. Readers will only care as much as the character does.

2. What Are They Afraid Of?

Fear is a powerful thing. It makes people act irrationally, take risks, or stay frozen in place when they should run. This also applies for your characters. Their fears should influence and inform their choices, sometimes pushing them in the exact opposite direction of where they need to go.

A fearless character is, well, boring and unrealstic. No one is 100% fearless all the time. So give your characters a fear. But make it a good one—something that rattles them to their core—abandonment, failure, rejection, public speaking, fear of crowds. Fear adds tension, and tension is the secret sauce that keeps readers turning pages at 2 a.m.

If you’re striving to bring depth and authenticity to your characters, remember that your writing journey doesn’t end with the first draft. Revising, refining, and working with professional editors can turn an average character into an unforgettable one.

Rozi Doci, The Developmental CEO

3. What Makes Them Memorable?

If your character walked into a crowded room, what would make them stand out? Every great character has something that lingers in a reader’s mind long after the last chapter. Maybe it’s a habit, an unusual perspective, or a backstory that’s uniquely theirs.

Think of the most unforgettable characters in literature. It’s not just what they do, but how they do it. The way they button their shirt wrong every single time. Their obsession with sending postcards to strangers. Their unwavering commitment to drinking exactly four cups of coffee a day, no more, no less.

A character’s distinct traits should feel organic, not like a gimmick. If you can imagine them starring in a story that’s entirely different from the one you’re writing, you’re on the right track.

4. Perfect Characters are unrealistic (and annoying)

People are messy, contradictory, absurd, unpredictable, quirky creatures. The best characters are too. Even Kiera Knightly had a questionable hat preference in Love Actually.

• What is your character naturally good at?
• What do they struggle with?
• What’s the one trait that gets them into trouble every time?

Flaws aren’t just necessary—they make characters lovable and relatable. (Keira was covering up a huge zit with that hat! )

5. How They Connect (Or Push People Away)

No character exists in a vacuum. The way they relate and communicate with others says just as much about them as their internal struggles.

• Do they fill every silence with chatter or thrive in observation?
• Are they afraid of change?
• What role do they play in their friend or family circle?

Dialogue should reflect personality. A character who’s sarcastic and guarded will speak differently than one who’s open and eager to connect. Pay attention to these details—they make a world of difference in storytelling.

Professional Editing in Character Development

Even with all this groundwork, characters don’t always come out fully formed in the first draft. That’s where professional editing—makes all the difference. A skilled editor can pinpoint when a character’s motivations feel inconsistent or when their emotional arc falls flat. They’ll ask the tough questions:

• Does this decision make sense for who they are?
• Would they really react this way?
• Have they actually changed by the end of the story?

Writing is rewriting, and character development is an ongoing process . Sometimes, a small tweak—a different backstory, a deeper fear, a stronger motivation—can transform a flat character into one that leaps off the page.

Give your Characters Room to breathe

A great character takes time, effort, and a little bit of ruthless self-examination. But when done well, through the magic of storytelling, they become real.

So, as you sit down to work on your manuscript, remember that the best stories don’t come from perfect plots or flashy twists, but characters who feel like old friends (or enemies).

Editing Tip: If you’re in the process of self-editing, consider reading your manuscript as a reader would. Are you emotionally invested in your protagonist? Do their choices make sense within the world you’ve built? If something feels off, chances are your readers will notice, too.

Need a fresh set of eyes to help bring your characters to life? Get in touch—we’d love to help!

Character development is included in developmental editing but can also be booked as a separate à la carte service.