Character Development

 Character Development 

Week 4, Blog 1 

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

After a lot of planning and brainstorming, me and my group did further analysis of who is our main character and her essence. 

What is Character Development? 

The process of giving fictional characters the same nuance and complexity as actual people is known as character development. To completely develop the characters that make up their stories, the author will develop a variety of character traits throughout the writing process.

Backstory

Our main character, Maddie is a teenage girl in high school in the United States of America. She still holds on to many old friendships and memories because she and her family are from South America. She also struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and is constantly filled with nostalgia. Our story will begin at school, where it is clear that the main character is lonely compared to her surroundings. 

Flaws

As with any human character, Maddie has some negative aspects and traits as she learns to cope with her emotions and thoughts. She tends to isolate herself from her friends and family. Maddie's most important way of understanding her life is through journaling and being able to translate those thoughts into images, vibrant colors, or handwriting. She has mostly negative thoughts about how she wants to handle her inability. 

Personality 

Maddie is extroverted and affectionate around people she trusts, but shy around strangers or people she doesn't know well. She is private and introverted; she frequently keeps her feelings to herself and uses journaling as a way to express them. Also, she is sentimental, creative, and nostalgic, comforting herself by holding on to things and memories from her past. Despite having friends, she experiences emotional loneliness because she finds it difficult to open up, even though her family is supportive. Her diary gradually shows signs of her lack of motivation, with colors fading and handwriting getting sloppy.

Worldview/ Philosophy 

Emotional isolation, nostalgia, and the conflict of being divided between two cultures all influence Maddie's worldview. Because she feels that genuine connection is uncommon and that the past is more comforting and meaningful than the present, she views life through a perspective of despair. Despite having people around her, she experiences emotional detachment because she romanticizes her early years and struggles to accept change. Her drive to keep going declines along with her sense of belonging and she starts to wonder if life is worth living. Her journaling, however, points to a hidden yearning to comprehend who she is and discover her purpose. Her journey might eventually lead her to make peace with her past and find new ways to engage with the world.

Physical Traits and Appearance 

Maddie has brown hair and presents as an average-looking high school student, blending in with others in terms of appearance. However, her sadness is evident in her facial expression, which shows her vulnerability. She often wears baggy clothes and layers herself in a way that hides her body, perhaps as a subconscious attempt to shield herself from the world. This might cause others to perceive her as distant, reserved, or even shy, though it could also evoke a sense of mystery.  Some may notice her as "just another teenager," but those who are observant might sense the emotional struggle, seeing her as someone who is emotionally isolated or going through something deeper.

Morals and Values

Maddie's primary sources of refuge are her culture and memories from the past, and she values sincerity, emotional connection, and family. Although she finds it difficult to establish close relationships in her new life, she believes in their importance. She appreciates honesty with herself and finds comfort in holding onto the past, even though it makes her present more difficult, despite her emotional loneliness. 

Sources 

• Glatch, S., & Smith, J. (2021, October 26). Character Development Definition + 40 Character Traits. Writers.com. https://writers.com/character-development-definition

Sources Images 

• Davey, S. (2024, August 4). Helping The World Aesthetic. Pinterest. https://pin.it/726NWgbTF

• Mora. (2024, September 13). John B Aesthetic. Pinterest. https://pin.it/1FcEJ3RKQ

• 🌖 𓇼. (2024, January 9). Pinterest. https://pin.it/2wxUN8fa2
  

• Cabrera, M. (2025, February 18). max caulfield. Pinterest. https://pin.it/42WYkVHaS