What does Character development actually mean?

Question

I keep hearing the terms "character development" and "characterisation", but I'm still not sure what they mean? How does one "develop" a character?

Answer 1

When writing a story your character should grow, learn, develop, and change over the course of the story, much like in real life. Just as we are not the same as we were years ago, neither should your character stay the same. In short stories this could be a simple change in the way he/she sees him or herself, or it could show a change in moral direction or feelings towards another, or so on. In a novel, there is much more change due to the numerous obstacles or challenges your character may face. Characterization is basically outlining your characters personality early in the story with descriptions, actions or thoughts, comments, or other ways of showing who she or he is. Then, as the story develops so will your character and the reader should see this through the characterization that you developed early on in the story.