Let The Changes Flow
"Character growth" isn't a term used to refer to just the emotional and spiritual growth of your character, but also involves the outward appearance of your protagonist. The appearance of your character expresses a lot about who they are and even at times can expression their personality - or maybe, just the opposite.
What I want to address in regards to this, is don't be afraid when your character changes in their appearance. It is important to maintain a consistent character for your protagonist so that they will respond to situations or give advice in a manner that is prevalent to their overall attributes. Their general structure and persona should not face alteration, just growth. But one attribute that you can allow change to occur in, is the outward appearance.
Don't freak out when your blonde becomes a brunette, or your character goes from short and stalk-like, to tall and slender. Outward appearance is one of those things that you can let the tides of change flow freely over with no restrictions or rules. Eventually, you are going to come across the perfect outer appearance for your character, but until that time comes, don't try to stop the tide.
A base for your character's attributes, once made, should generally stay the same. But outward appearance is one of those things that will change as you grow to learn more about your character and the situations that surround them.
Growth in character appearance is one of those things you shouldn't try to stop.
~Lydia R. Sherren
