Novels consist of a string of revelations.
These revelations, consistently timed and well paced comprise and provide an important part of plot.
As such they play and inherent and necessary role in character development.
Revelations lead to irrevocable moments wherein the protagonist, when faced with an immediate challenge demanding on the spot response, makes a decision and acts in a way that forces her or him forward. Responses to the mini or micro-crises at the opening of the novel and in the early part of the middle leave no room for turning back.
The protagonist’s actions or behavior may even surprise her or him.
Whatever she or he chooses or does allows no retraction or apologies, rather their behavior exposes, i.e., reveals hidden aspects of self, and capabilities otherwise hidden, unknown, or unrecognized until demanded by the impending dilemma.
Revelations can also be seen as developments, or better yet turning points, upheavals resulting from moments of discovery wherein the major character in learning or recognizing something about their situation and dilemma, even another character, then realize an aspect of self or better yet a hidden skill or capability.
Whatever the discovery its presence or acknowledgment that allows no avoidance or cannot be ignored propels the story forward and increases the central character’s understanding of her or himself and the world.
Revelations follow development, or rather occur in response to developments and thus form an important part of increasing conflict and tension in the story’s climb towards crisis.
The opening or beginning of a novel presents the protagonist with at least one development that leads to a revelation.
This begets the domino movement of external action yielding external response generating internal flow of emotions.
How does your story begin?
What is the first major event that shakes the world of your central character?
How does she or he respond?
How do they feel about what has happened and their reaction?
What happens next?