If you're thinking about writing a character-driven novel, your success starts long before the first chapter. Unlike plot-driven stories that focus on events and twists, character-driven novels hinge on believable, emotionally rich characters whose inner lives shape the story. In this guide, you'll learn the most important prewriting steps to take when planning a character-driven book — including character creation, emotional arcs, and how to lay the foundation for a compelling narrative that readers will love. Whether you're a new author or just exploring fiction writing, these planning tips will help you write a novel that feels authentic, immersive, and unforgettable.
1. Understand What Makes a Story Character-Driven
Before you start outlining, take time to fully understand the heart of a character-driven story. These types of novels prioritize:
- Internal conflict over external action
- Emotional arcs rather than fast-paced plots
- Deep character relationships instead of high-stakes battles
- Personal transformation as the engine of change in the story
The plot emerges from the characters’ decisions, reactions, and development — not the other way around. As the author, your job is to explore who your characters are, what they believe, what they fear, and how they grow.
2. Create Complex, Layered Main Characters
Character-driven books live or die by the strength of their main characters. Begin your planning by crafting fully realized protagonists. Consider using a character worksheet or profile template that covers:
- Backstory: Where are they from? What key events shaped them?
- Wants vs. Needs: What does your character think they want? What do they truly need?
- Strengths and flaws: Give them traits that help and hurt them
- Emotional wounds: What past experience has left a scar? How does that wound shape their behavior?
- Worldview: How do they see themselves and others? How do these beliefs change over time?
Try writing journal entries or inner monologues in your character’s voice to help you get into their head before you even start Chapter One.
3. Define Your Character’s Emotional Arc
In a plot-driven story, you might use a “Save the Cat” or three-act structure. In a character-driven novel, the emotional journey of your protagonist is the structure. Ask yourself:
- How does your character change from beginning to end?
- What core belief is challenged throughout the story?
- What are the internal turning points — moments where they shift or resist growth?
- What’s at stake emotionally if they don’t change?
This emotional arc should be reflected in your character’s relationships, decisions, and the outcomes of each major scene.
4. Develop Supporting Characters with Purpose
Your supporting cast isn’t just filler — they serve as mirrors, foils, and catalysts for your main character. In the prewriting phase, outline each important character’s role in the story:
- Do they challenge or support the main character’s beliefs?
- How do they evolve (or stay the same)?
- What’s their relationship history with the main character?
Each supporting character should bring out a different dimension of your protagonist. Consider including a mentor, a rival, a love interest, or a friend who changes allegiances — and make sure their own goals and motivations are as real as your main character’s.
5. Brainstorm Scenes Around Internal Conflict
Even if you're not ready to outline a full plot, start brainstorming key moments that force your character to confront their internal struggles. These might include:
- A betrayal that tests their ability to trust
- A decision that forces them to choose between safety and growth
- A reunion with someone from their past who reopens emotional wounds
These scenes should act as emotional milestones on the character’s journey. Ask: What does my character feel at the start of the scene? What do they feel by the end? That shift is where the storytelling magic happens.
6. Build a World That Reflects the Character’s Inner Life
In a character-driven story, setting isn’t just background — it reflects and reinforces your characters’ inner states. During the planning phase:
- Choose environments that support your themes (e.g., a small town where change is frowned upon for a story about growth)
- Use setting details to symbolize emotional truths (e.g., a cluttered apartment for a character who’s emotionally stuck)
- Think about how your character sees their world — how does their perspective evolve?
7. Outline Just Enough to Stay Grounded
You don’t need a rigid outline to start writing, but a loose roadmap of character beats can help. Try creating:
- A rough beginning, where the character’s world and mindset are introduced
- A middle, where relationships shift and internal conflicts deepen
- An end, where your protagonist changes (or fails to), bringing emotional closure
Use flexible story tools like the Hero’s Inner Journey, The Enneagram, or emotional beat sheets tailored for character-focused storytelling.
Preparation Leads to Powerful Character Stories
Writing a character-driven novel is both challenging and deeply rewarding. The more time you spend getting to know your characters before writing, the more natural and resonant your story will feel. These prewriting stages aren’t about control — they’re about connection. By understanding your characters’ pasts, hopes, fears, and internal journeys, you’re setting the stage for a novel that feels real, intimate, and unforgettable.