Character development is one of the most important elements in writing a story. You could have the most interesting plot in the world but if your characters are wooden, boring, or unlikable, no one will be interested in your novel.  Character development should be your second step after creating your plot.

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One way to do that is to sit down with each of your characters (preferably with a nice cold beverage) and get to know them.  What kind of music do they like, how do they spend their free time?  What are their hopes, dreams, and greatest fears?  Are they an introvert or social butterfly?  Impulsive or thoughtful?  What are their strengths (honesty, loyalty, kindness, etc.) and their faults (stubborn, quick-tempered, naïve, etc.)  Humans (and aliens if you like sci-fi) are complex beings, and your protagonist should have some flaws that they are trying to overcome, while your villain can have some redeeming characteristics even though he went astray at some point by his criminal deeds. 

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In my novel “Saving Everton” my protagonist Sheila Stark is gregarious, compassionate, and has a good moral compass.  She was a cheerleader in high school, loves to dance, and hates camping.  She is also naïve, and a people pleaser, always trying to do things that would make her father, and later her husband, proud of her.  Oh, and she always wants to look her best and rarely goes out without make-up. 

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Now that I have a good idea of who Sheila is, I can predict how she will react to different situations.  When I’ve done that with all of my characters, then the story practically writes itself.  You can also avoid basic mistakes, like why is the guy with the short temper leading the peace negotiations?

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Conflict doesn’t always have to come from the plot (oh no, the aliens are attacking Earth, rally the troops).  Some of the best tension comes when a character's values are tested.  In my novel, Sheila’s values come into conflict when people begin to get attacked in her hometown.  Her compassion for others comes in direct conflict with pleasing her husband, who wants her to stay out of it.  How will she handle this?

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Don’t tell the reader everything about your character, that would lead to a lot of boring backstories and your book might be put on the back shelf in the bookcase, or worse.  Instead, reveal a few things here and there to add depth to your novel.  If one of your characters is hiding a secret, so much the better.  You know the secret, but the readers don’t.  All we need to know is that there is something they’re hiding, and we’ll keep flipping the pages!!! 

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The important thing is that you understand how your characters will act in any given situation, and that will make your story realistic and believable. 

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And one final note, yes, my characters seem real to me, so I handle them with care, writing believable outcomes as they live out their lives in the world of my imagination