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Change through choice

How to explore character growth.

David Gane
David Gane

Characters are defined by their choices, either by the actions they take or how they respond to their circumstances.

Character growth occurs when those choices change. A mean-spirited person can suddenly show empathy through compassion. A virtuous person can start stealing.

Some change comes easily, but often it is a slow process, the course of an entire story.

When trying to build change, establish patterns of actions or responses and slowly show your characters trying to break those patterns in stages.

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David Gane

David Gane Twitter

Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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