If you need a little help, you can download a character workbook to help you.
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When writing a novel, completing the first draft is a significant milestone—but it’s only half the journey. The second draft of your novel is where the real magic begins. It’s your chance to dig deeper into your characters, refine the plot, eliminate inconsistencies, and elevate your writing. A strong second draft is critical to transforming your raw manuscript into a polished, publishable book.
Below are some of the best approaches to starting your second draft, designed to help fiction writers stay motivated, avoid burnout, and ultimately produce better work.
1. Re-read Your First Draft with a Critical Eye
One of the most effective ways to begin your second draft is by rereading your entire first draft. This step allows you to revisit your story with fresh eyes and a critical mindset. Don't try to fix anything on this initial re-read—just focus on understanding the big picture.
Read more: Best Approaches to Starting a Second Draft of Your Novel
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You’ve got a great idea for a book. You’re ready to write it, but you aren’t sure how to begin. While there are tons of software products out there to help writers get started, most of them take tons of time to learn and setup, especially if you plan to fill out all the pieces of information, like character names, biographies and settings. Thankfully, you can start your next fiction project without investing a lot of time in prep work. Let me tell you how.
0. Open Your favorite Word Document and Give It a Name
You can use any title here from a working title to your story to something descriptive. I’m working on a fiction novel right now that’s saved as Vampire Erotic Thriller. I don’t actually have a proper title for it yet, so I saved it as its theme. It’s going to be an erotic vampire thriller, and that’s good enough until I get closer to finishing it.
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Wanting to write a novel is just half the battle. Any new writer knows just having an idea in their minds and perhaps an outline of how the overall story is going to go is just the beginning of the work that lies ahead. Of course, for those who are doing historical or even science fiction novels there is research to perform. Fiction is one thing but readers still want some fact that they can pull from.
Once all this is done, it’s now time to write the novel. Then write it again, and again. Yes, before a novel is done it could go through many drafts as we edit and polish it. The question though is how many drafts does a novel actually require? Some might say as many as it takes. The only problem is that some of us may be forever editing and rewriting a novel to get it perfect, and this can lead to over-editing. So, with this in mind let's look at a method known as the 5 draft method that some writers follow in order to work efficiently and effectively.
Draft 1: The Junk Draft
This is the draft where the writer just lets the ideas flow forth. Just get everything down on paper or typed out. It's the draft where we don't stop to think too much just get the bare bones of the story into existence.
Read more: How Many Drafts Should You Put on a Fiction Novel?
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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.
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Are you thinking about writing a fiction novel, but aren't sure if you want to write a book that is powered by the character or powered by the plot? Well, this article is for you. Deciding whether you should be a character author or a plot author can feel like an overwhelming decision, but a lot of times, your writing style and preferences will lead you to one or the other. Let's take a look at what a plot author and what a character author are and the pros and cons of each writing style.
What’s a Plot-Driven Book?
In a plot-driven book, the story revolves around what happens. The momentum of the story comes from external events, high-stakes situations, plot twists, and conflicts that force characters to act — often quickly. Character development can still exist, but it's usually secondary to the forward motion of the story.
Read more: Understanding Plot-Driven vs. Character-Driven Books: A Guide for New Fiction Writers