Episode 14: Deep Dive into Character Development: Pro Tips from Charlesbridge Editor Karen Boss

Send us a textThis episode features Karen Boss, an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, as she discusses creating standout, realistic characters in publishing. Karen, holding an MA in children's literature and an MA in higher education administration, shares insights from her extensive publishing and editorial experience, alongside personal anecdotes from her travels. The discussion includes developing deep, flawed, and emotional characters, highlighting examples from upcoming books. Tips for making characters, including non-human ones, feel fully developed are shared, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, character agency, and unique character voices. The episode also addresses common issues with manuscripts, such as solving problems too easily or characters acting unnaturally. Karen suggests various exercises for character and dialogue development, underscoring the importance of practice, revision, and being open to character evolution.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:21 Karen's Travel Adventures02:15 Unusual Characters in Literature06:07 Character Development in Stories07:41 Examples of Well-Developed Characters19:45 Deep Dive into Character Development20:31 Methods for Developing Characters20:37 Off-the-Page Exercises for Character Development22:11 The Importance of Voice in Character Development23:04 The Role of Agency in Character Development23:48 Common Pitfalls in Character Development25:48 The Art of Crafting Authentic Dialogue28:58 The Impact of Dialogue on Character Development33:41 Practical Exercises for Dialogue Development38:16 Final Thoughts on Character and Dialogue DevelopmentBooks Mentioned in This Episode:The Kid by Jeff ShillLa Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira, Illustrated by Carlos Vélez AguileraWe Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. HigginsWolf Hollow by Lauren WolkTroublemakers in Trousers by Sarah AlbeeFlying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin by Michelle Cusolito, Illustrated by Nicole Wong This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com