An author can develop characters in how many different ways?

An author can develop characters in countless ways. There's no set number. The possibilities are limited only by the author's imagination and skill. They can use a vast array of techniques, including:

* Actions: Showing what a character *does*.

* Dialogue: Revealing personality and relationships through speech.

* Thoughts: Accessing the character's internal world.

* Appearance: Physical descriptions that hint at personality.

* Relationships: How the character interacts with others.

* Backstory: Revealing past events that shaped the character.

* Reactions: How they respond to situations and other characters.

* Internal conflicts: Showing their inner struggles and desires.

* Foils: Contrasting them with other characters.

* Archetypes: Utilizing established character types with variations.

And these methods can be combined and layered in countless unique ways.