Characters are the carriers of our stories. They carry the plot on their backs like rucksacks, or sometimes shawls, depending on your story. That is why developing great characters is so important for making your story stand out. As I write more, I have learned a few things from both the writing process and from friends and family who have helped me develop my skills as a writer. Here are five tips I have learned that will help you develop great characters.

Stories are multifaceted pieces of art. They not only have a beginning, middle, and end, but they have beats and elements within...