What Does Character Driven Mean?

As I mentioned before, Galahad is a character driven story. That’s a phrase a lot of writers use to describe their work, but what does it mean exactly?

An article from Dabble says that a character driven story is one that “places the primary focus on the characters' internal struggles, motivations, and personal growth, with the plot often being secondary to the development of the characters. The characters' actions and motivations are shaped by their unique personalities, values, and desires.” (Article Link)

Basically, the characters drive the plot instead of the plot driving the characters. It doesn’t mean that there isn’t a plot, just that the driving force behind it is the decisions of the characters rather than outside forces. Its my preferred method of storytelling, but not really by choice. It’s just how I write. My background is in tabletop role-playing games, and I have always had a strong philosophy that what makes those games great are believable and dynamic characters. I need to know basically everything about them so that I can properly role-play as them, reacting as they’d react to what the players say and do, and so the characters can grow and change organically throughout the story. I’d like to say I’ve mastered this in TTRPGs, and I’m bringing that style of storytelling to the indie comic world with me.

My most recent project was a table-top audio drama called Knights of Degradation. You can check it out HERE if you’re interested. I truly believe that my co-host and I created some of the most interesting and well developed characters in any actual play show.

Galahad has four main characters. Adam and Andy, who are brothers, and their friends Kirt and Blake. The four of them have become close in a community where people barely talk to one another, and their bond and love for each other will be a large focus of the story. They were all brought to this forced labor camp when they were younger, and don’t know anything about the world beyond it.

Adam
male, early to mid twenties
Adam is the de facto leader of the group, though mostly because he is the strongest and most outgoing. He does his best to watch over his friends, but he often dreams of leading them to a better world. He is always willing to sacrifice for others. When he finds the Galahad suit, he only thinks of how he can use it to make the world a better place for the people around him.

Andy
male, early twenties
Andy is Adam’s younger brother. He isn’t very confident, and has surrendered to the life he lives. He has become somewhat nihilistic, and doesn’t like to waste time thinking about a better world, because he doesn’t think it exists. He constantly worries about losing his friends, and strongly objects to Adam using the Galahad armor.

Kirt
female, late teens to early twenties
Kirt has also made peace with the life she has been given. However, instead of staying hopeless, she does whatever she can to make the life of everyone around her easier. She is caring and compassionate. She is the only one in the group that talks with other members of the town regularly. She keeps her focus on making the hard life she and her friends have as enjoyable as possible.

Blake
male, early twenties
Blake keeps his head down as much as he can. He is fascinated by older technology, and spends any free time he has fiddling with old relics he finds in the dirt. He is extremely intelligent, and picks up on most things fairly quickly. When Adam decides to use the Galahad armor, he looks to Blake to help him unlock all of its secrets.

Last month was probably the most productive month I’ve had all year. The script is in really good shape, and I think soon, it’ll be ready to send out to some editors. I have always felt that storytelling is strongest when it’s a collaboration, so having other people give me their input is really exciting. I know that I have a great story, I just need to make sure it’s going to be a great comic book.

This letter is already running long, so I’ll have to save the story of why I chose Galahad as the title for next time. Stay tuned!