Character Balance

This is something that comes up in role playing sometimes. You’re working with a group, but one or two players seem to consistently out-power the rest of the players. That’s been happening in my group recently, but gaming isn’t what I’m here to talk about. This is my writing blog, after all.

Gaming has taught me a lot about writing, though. When you write about a group of characters, it’s important to keep a balance between them. Each character has to bring a skill set that enhances the group. And each of them needs to have equal time on the page. Not only the whole group progresses through the plot, but the individuals need to grow also. It can be hard as the group becomes bigger.

Doing this was easier in my individual Minstrels of Skaythe novellas, but it became harder with The Tale of the Drakanox. I had between four and eight characters in each novella. That added up to something like 25 named characters in Drakanox. It was hard making sure each one had time on the page.

What can I say? I did it to myself by writing the series that way. In the end, I expect it’ll be worth it.

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