Character Evolution in Fictional Worlds: The Art of Redesign and Adaptation

Writing a fictional universe can be a daunting task, but for many creators, the joy of continuing to evolve and improve characters is part of the journey. As I reflect on my 36th novel within a evolving universe, I find myself navigating a unique challenge: should I redesign my characters or let them grow organically?

No Design Overhaul

When it comes to revisiting old work, many creators opt for a complete redesign, but I choose to build on my earlier work. My preference is to let my characters and stories stand as they are, despite any initial flaws. By keeping my mistakes on record, I gain valuable insight into my progress. My earlier work serves as a testament to how far I’ve come in my craft.

I currently reside in a world where my characters, even after 36 novels, continue to evolve beautifully. I am content with the natural growth and development of my characters, avoiding unnecessary changes. It appears that persistent growth is the key here, retaining the essence of my characters while allowing them to flourish.

Character Redesign Crisis

However, I am currently experiencing a significant challenge that has stalled my progress: a "character redesign crisis" that has been a barrier for my third draft. This crisis revolves around one of my primary characters, Selena, the Reader Avatar, who was initially introduced as a relatable, but somewhat typical, young protagonist. She was designed to embody a blank slate, allowing readers to easily slip into her shoes, inspired by the success of stories like Twilight.

Selena’s original narrative was framed around her character arc, where she overcame her doubts and fears, becoming a confident heroine. However, the feedback from alpha readers was overwhelmingly negative, highlighting a lack of depth and interest in her character. Readers found her less engaging and more predictable than the other main protagonists.

Reimagining the Character Arc

For the third draft, I decided to break away from the traditional arc and redefine Selena’s journey. Her new character arc involves a bold and confident personality initially. As the "Chosen One," Selena had earned her place in the class, and this arrogance heralded a new stage in her development. Her story arc shifted from 'unsure chosen one find herself' to 'supposed chosen one realize raw power isn’t everything; punching things very hard won’t solve all your problems.'

This change required a significant restructuring of the narrative and, most importantly, the endgame. The ending of the story hinges on Selena’s specific choice, and with my redesigned arc, I am uncertain if she would make the same choice, potentially necessitating a rewrite of the entire ending. The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of my changes has led to significant procrastination, particularly since the start of the pandemic.

Publishing Challenges

With the story direction uncertain, my plans to self-edit, hire a professional editor, and ultimately find an agent are on hold. The prospect of a total rewrite is daunting, and the current ending is a product of my current vision. Changing it would mean a radical overhaul, but staying true to it means keeping the original narrative intact. The decision is between personal satisfaction and the market appeal.

Conclusion

The art of character redesign is a delicate balance between creativity and reader expectations. For me, the joy lies in allowing my characters to evolve naturally rather than overhauling them. The crisis with Selena underscores the importance of listening to feedback while maintaining the vision for my characters. As I continue to navigate this challenge, the journey of character development remains a central and exhilarating aspect of my storytelling.