Characters / Editorial guide
A character is revealed through choices
A simple way to talk about a character beyond “strong”, “kind” or “my favourite”.
More than a list of traits
Adjectives are useful but can become vague. Instead of calling someone brave, recall a decision they made despite fear. You are then discussing an action and its circumstances, not just a label.
Look at the cost
What could the character lose? What alternatives were available? The same action can feel different when it is easy or requires a meaningful sacrifice. Do not give a character knowledge they did not have at the time.
Compare different relationships
Someone may behave differently around a friend, a rival and a stranger. A contradiction is not automatically a writing mistake. Ask whether a shared need or vulnerability connects those reactions.
Separate affection from approval
An interesting character does not have to be a role model. You can sympathise with their experience while criticising a decision. This distinction makes the conversation clearer and avoids arguments about who is allowed to like whom.
A small exercise
Choose one scene and write three lines: what happened; what the character chose; how you interpret the motive. The first two describe observations. The third is your reading. Together they make a useful starting point for discussion.