Dickens maintained extensive notebooks cataloging character traits, personalities, and physical quirks. These notes ensured consistency across novels, especially for recurring or serialized characters. He recorded dialogue, behavior patterns, and even potential plot arcs. Victorian authors often relied on memory, but Dickens’ system allowed complex storytelling with interwoven subplots. This practice reflects both his obsession with detail and methodical approach to writing. Character notebooks helped him manage serialization demands and public expectations. They also offered insight into his creative process for literary historians.
Organized character records allowed Dickens to maintain narrative continuity and depth.
It illustrates how systematic preparation can enhance creative output and support complex storytelling.
Did you know Dickens’ notebooks included sketches and doodles alongside character descriptions?
[British Library, britishlibrary.uk]