Dragonsteel Nexus 2024 is shaping up to be my favorite year yet. The sheer amount of shared knowledge, wisdom, and expertise on this panel was incredibly inspiring, and I walked away with some valuable insights. I hope you do, too! If so, feel free to share them in the comments.
I don’t have to tell you this, because as any reader knows, character creation is at the core of any good story. And, as aspiring writers, it’s something we know and try to emulate. But it’s much easier said than done! That’s part of why I was looking forward to this panel, and why I’m excited to share it with you.
Sitting down with Robin Hobb, Brian McClellan, and Fonda Lee (three masters of the craft) while they discussed their unique approaches to character development reminded me just how differently authors can approach this art.
Each has their own philosophy, but they all share one key belief—characters need to feel real and unpredictable.
Robin Hobb: Letting Characters Take Control
Robin Hobb is a highly acclaimed fantasy author, best known for her Realm of the Elderlings series, which includes beloved works like Assassin's Apprentice and Fool's Fate. Hobb's writing is praised for its deep character studies and emotional storytelling, making her a true master of character-driven fantasy.
She has a beautiful philosophy around character development, and described her approach in a way that made me feel like her characters have minds of their own. For her, every story starts with a character. Typically her main character, the one whose perspective she’ll take on, steps out onto a stage. And that’s how the stories start. It’s not just the main character leading the ship, either. "A lot of times characters step onto the stage and they're interacting with my viewpoint character in ways that I don't expect, and they take on the story and they shape the story," she said.
It's about following these personalities, even if they make bad choices, which makes them feel authentically human, flawed, and compelling.
While this seems like an almost romantic connection between character and author, it’s not always smooth sailing. Hobb explained that her approach often leads her to surprising and challenging situations. "You can find yourself painted into a corner," she admitted. "Your character has made a stupid decision, and you are stuck with it." Even still, she embraces this unpredictability because it mirrors real life.
People make mistakes, and they have to deal with the consequences. Letting her characters fail gives her stories an almost unparalleled genuine quality. "I think that for me a lot of writing happens in a part of my brain that I don't necessarily have conscious access to," she said. It was fascinating to hear her describe such an intuitive approach to the craft.
To me, Hobb’s approach feels like she is cultivating a kind of trust with her characters—almost a partnership. She doesn’t impose her will on them but instead listens to what they want, even if it derails her original plan. It’s an act of vulnerability for a writer to relinquish that control.
This resonates deeply with me because it suggests that the best stories aren't always planned; they're discovered. By trusting her characters, Hobb ensures they are genuine, flawed, and as unpredictable as real people. This willingness to let her characters' choices shape the story brings a richness that feels both unforced and deeply human.
Practical Takeaways for Writers
For aspiring writers, Hobb’s method teaches us the importance of letting go of control. Sometimes the most authentic moments in a story come from letting characters make their own decisions, even if they lead to narrative complications. Trust the process, and allow characters to have autonomy—this is what makes them feel like real people rather than constructs.
Brian McClellan: Balancing Power with Vulnerability
Brian McClellan is best known for his Powder Mage trilogy and the Gods of Blood and Powder series. His work blends epic fantasy with a unique "flintlock fantasy" setting—combining magic with gunpowder-era technology. McClellan's characters are often caught in the crossfire of revolution and war, and his ability to create layered, morally complex characters has earned him a dedicated following.
Brian McClellan was refreshingly candid about the struggle that sometimes comes with character creation. "I've found that I'll fall in love with concepts, and then I'll bang my head on them for months at a time," he admitted. Sometimes those characters just don’t fit into the story, and, as he put it, "it’s very frustrating... because you feel like you kind of just killed one of your friends." Brian's take highlighted the importance of vulnerability and how it's often the flaws and failings that make a character resonate.
For McClellan, the key is balancing strengths with flaws. "I wanted to write a character who was really good at everything, and I realized at some point this is really boring," he said. The solution? He gave his character a breakdown, adding layers of fear and self-doubt that made him more engaging. "He's good at everything, but he's also afraid of everything," Brian explained.
This contrast between capability and vulnerability creates tension that keeps readers hooked. He’s not just a prodigy; he’s haunted by his past and terrified of becoming the person he once was. This mix of power and fragility makes his characters feel real and creates that electric connection between them and the reader.
What I find particularly insightful about McClellan’s approach is that he doesn’t shy away from undermining his character's strengths. He sees vulnerability as a critical tool rather than a hindrance. In a space where strength is often glorified, McClellan recognizes that true character depth lies in the balance—showing not just what a character can do but what they fear and where they struggle.
This conscious decision to add moments of weakness transforms his characters from being mere heroic archetypes into individuals whose internal battles are as intense as any external conflict.
Practical Takeaways for Writers
McClellan’s approach is a great reminder that vulnerability is key to compelling characters. It’s easy to fall into the trap of making heroes invincible, but the flaws are what make them human. As a writer, don’t be afraid to show your character's weaknesses, even if they’re uncomfortable or messy. It’s going to add depth and make their journey more engaging for readers.
Fonda Lee: Shifting Status for Depth
Fonda Lee is an award-winning author known for her Green Bone Saga, which includes Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy. The series is often described as "the Godfather with magic and kung-fu," and is celebrated for its complex world-building, intricate family dynamics, and morally grey characters. Lee’s ability to create stunningly dimensional characters has garnered her acclaim in the fantasy and sci-fi community.
Fonda Lee brought a fascinating perspective about character status and its role in shaping believable characters. "We all have different statuses in different aspects of our lives," she explained. This idea of shifting roles, such as being a powerful clan leader in one scene and then a humbled grandchild in another, helps create characters that are dynamic and vivid.
Lee ensures her characters interact in different contexts, revealing new facets. "We are all presenting a little differently depending on the context," she added. This variability is part of what keeps readers on the edge of their seats for Lee’s books; she's always revealing new information about the characters we follow.
What I find most compelling about Lee’s perspective is how it directly challenges the idea of a character being fixed in a singular role. It’s easy for writers to get stuck managing archetypes, but that can lead to frustration for a storyteller when things feel flat. Lee touches on a really important idea here that people are inherently fluid, shaped by the context of their relationships and environments.
You often hear authors talking about how switching from one POV character to another can liven up a scene, but imagine if you could do that with the same character. You see what I’m getting at? Understanding this level of depth to your characters makes it so you can grasp the importance of each scene.
I’m sure I’m not the only one seeing strong parallels to Brandon Sanderson’s work with Kaladin in The Stormlight Archive. Kaladin’s journey from a respected soldier to a slave and later to a captain of the king’s guard exemplifies the fluidity of character based on context.
Sanderson uses Kaladin's shifting roles to explore different dimensions of his character. Much like Lee, Sanderson shows that identity is complex and situational, offering readers a layered, realistic portrayal of human experience. Both authors understand that no character is static; they are defined by how they adapt to the evolving world around them.
Practical Takeaways for Writers
Lee’s emphasis on shifting status is an invaluable lesson for writers looking to add depth to their characters. Think about the different roles your character plays depending on who they are with or where they are. Use these contrasts to explore different facets of their personality, which will make them more rounded and realistic.
Unpredictability and Complexity: A Shared Truth
What struck me most was how, despite their different methods, all three authors agreed on one key truth: unpredictability and complexity are essential for creating memorable characters. Hobb lets her characters dictate the story, McClellan adds depth by balancing power with vulnerability, and Lee emphasizes status shifts to bring out unexpected sides of a character. It’s this unpredictability (the idea that characters aren’t puppets but rather unpredictable beings) that brings them to life for readers.
There’s comfort in knowing we each have our own way as writers. As Robin Hobb recalled from Vonda N. McIntyre: "There is no wrong way to write your book." Each author’s unique approach adds another shade of humanity to their work—whether it’s letting characters take over, finding growth in their flaws, or exploring their multiple roles in the world.
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