Humans are very complex creatures. We constantly grow, change, and evolve as that is the point of life. We can’t be the same person we were in elementary school when we’re in our twenties, just like we can’t be the same in our forties as we are in our thirties. Life continuously gives us opportunities to expand, and it is important that we allow ourselves to do so. This should be the same for your characters.

The reason we read books is to feel something, but we can’t feel much of anything if we never see the character go through trials and tribulations or positive experiences. It’s boring and not worth continuing to read if the character remains completely stagnant. You must ensure that your character is developed throughout the plot.

You can start with a character that is charming but flawed. That way they’re still likable with room to grow. Or you can start with a character that seemingly has no flaws and seems to be completely developed; if you do this, you can bring them through hardships, ensuring that they still change and develop throughout the story.

It’s often stressed to make sure your characters are dynamic rather than static, and that’s for a reason. Static characters are meant to appear in one scene and never again. If your main characters are all static, the plot can’t move forward because there is nothing pushing them there. Dynamic characters bring excitement and momentum. With them, there’s continuous change and growth, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The traits of your character should change as well, not just their circumstances. For example, your character may start out naïve, egotistical, or anxious. But once they begin their journey, they should no longer be like that. Just like we change depending on what we have experienced, your characters should too.

Character development is also important because your audience wants to see realism. They want to see themselves or their circumstances reflected back to them—but with a positive twist, of course. There needs to be a sense of camaraderie between your characters and your audience. Character development allows this to happen.

Growth is a significant part of everyone’s life, and it should also be conveyed in your book. It is very fulfilling to watch a character become bigger and better than what they started as. No one should be the exact same from beginning to end, especially if you have a complex plot. Your characters should reflect those complexities.