Just the facts:

CENTERED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

CENTERED Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

CENTER Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

CENTRIC Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

"Centered" derives from the noun center (14th century) and the suggix -ed, referring to being placed at the middle point.  The noun originates from Old French centre, Latin centrum ("center of a circle"), and Greek kentron ("sharp point/sting"), rooted in Proto-Indo-Euripean *kent- ("to prick").  It developed to mean focused or balanced.  The verb center appeared in the 1590s to mean "to concentrate at a center".  "Centered" (1580s–1590s) functions as the past participle of the verb and later as an adjective meaning balanced or situated in the middle.  Centered is related to "centric" and "centrism", both related to have a center.  The suffix -centric, means "having a center" or "focused on" (e.g., egocentric). 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the adjective centred (or centered) is in the late 1500s, with the earliest evidence dating to 1591 in the writings of Edmund Spenser.  The noun "centering" (or centring) has earlier evidence, appearing in the Middle English period (1150–1500), specifically around 1484–5.  The verb "center" (or centre), as in to place in the center, earliest evidence is in a  1551 citation for Recorde, Pathway to Knowledg notes the concept of a "pricke" (point) in the "middell". 

Centering characters in a story—often referred to as character-driven storytelling—is essential because characters are the primary vehicle for reader engagement, emotional connection, and thematic resonance.  While plot dictates what happens, character-centered narratives focus on why events matter, forcing the character to grow, make active choices, and take a journey that readers care about. 

Importance of Character-Centered Writing: 
Creates Emotional Connection: Readers connect with people, not just events.  A character-driven approach allows for the development of relatability and empathy, as the story revolves around their internal struggles, motivations, and growth. 
Establishes Active Agency: Centering the character ensures they are driving the plot through their decisions, rather than simply reacting to events, which keeps them from becoming uninspiring or passive "marionettes". 
Provides Meaningful Stakes: Even a thrilling plot needs a personal component to make it compelling. A character's desire or flaw (internal conflict) makes the audience care about the outcome, creating genuine suspense. 
Strengthens the Theme: The theme—the hidden, deeper message—is best delivered through the character's journey and transformation, making the story's "ugly truth" or lesson more impactful. 
Reveals Strengths and Weaknesses: A focus on the character allows them to make mistakes, fail, and "fail better," which humanizes them and makes for a more profound and memorable story arc. 

And now we'll get (possibly) the next word in just a few hours!