How do you know when a character is complete?

by Chantelle Harvey
12th May 2013

Some characters are already fully fledged by the time you write them, but others take more time to figure out.

Should you go ahead and write them, finding out along the way, or should you wait until you know everything before writing?

Replies

When dealing with a real life person do you ever know everything about them - even your own self? Isn't there always something more, sometimes the un-expected?

If a character is deemed to be "complete" doesn't that risk limiting the character?

How can you know "everything" - even when you have "finished" writing? What if a second story - sequel or prequel - turns up?

:-)

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David Foster
12/05/2013