So we talked about how learning about a character's past deepens our understanding of her--that's one way to make a complex character. But Ali also gestured to what's next for her & if she might change--that's the creation of a dynamic character.

I think dynamic and complex (deep, round) are often conflated but are useful to separate. A character can be one or the other or neither or both.

Which kind do you like to write?

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And then, you know, I love flat characters too! (I adore fairy tales.). I think they can feel just as alive as the sort that we call "round" or "complex."

Some of that happens through implied or intuitive depth. (A favorite theory of mine!)

I haven't thought as much about this, but I think it probably happens through character change, as well. Which might part of why folks conflate dynamic and complex.

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What makes a character feel most alive for other folks?

So often people say they need to know more about characters--they want to know EVERYTHING--but for me, that's really not it. After all, I often don't know that much about people in my real life! But I need to know _enough_ and it's fun to think about what can be enough.

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