Post: Writing a book? When should you delete a character?

Delete

Suffice it to say, the writing process is unique for every author. In fact, it’s also unique for an individual writer each time he or she begins a new project. An integral component of fiction writing is character development. Have you ever written a character into a story, only to later determine that he or she (or it) doesn’t fit? When you’re writing a book, how do you know when to delete a character? 

Some writers feel like they’re obligated to keep every character they’ve incorporated into a story, although that’s not necessarily true. A primary goal for all fiction authors is to send readers away satisfied. If they’re left wondering why a particular character was even included in the story, they might be disappointed. There are several things to keep in mind to help you determine if one (or more) of your characters should “get the boot.” 

Minor characters are just as important as main characters

Your main characters play a key role in your story and carry the plot. However, that doesn’t mean that every character has to be a “main” character. Minor characters are often important to a storyline as well. Then again, you might write a story that contains a main character OR minor character that would be better off deleted. Considering the ideas included in the following list can help determine when to keep a character and when to delete one: 

  • As you review your characters, it should be clear to you what purpose each of them serves in the story. 
  • Does your plot still work without a particular character? 
  • Did a specific character “get lost” somewhere along the line, meaning that you added the character in but didn’t really find a place for him/her/it beyond that?
  • Is a character boring you? 
  • Are you struggling to develop a certain character?

When these issues arise as you’re writing characters into a novel, you might want to consider a deletion. A character that is boring to write will likely be boring to read as well. If a character serves no purpose, then why keep him/her/it in the story? 

Deleting characters from a story is like de-cluttering a room

Sometimes, it’s better to cut a character loose. It helps refine a story and ensure that only characters who add value to a story will remain. Cleaning out your novel by deleting characters is similar to clearing away the clutter in a room at home. You might come across items that you like but just have no need for. You might also find things that are simply taking up space or even detracting from the beauty of a room or impeding functionality. 

The same can be true for characters in a book. Before submitting your manuscript to a publisher, make sure that there are no lingering characters that are unnecessary or cluttering your story.