PREFACE
Imagine a catapult. Or a trebuchet, if it pleases you. It’s aimed at something very far away, and it’s already been dialed-in. The trajectory is set. We know the start point, and the end point. Whatever the payload is, it has no say in the matter as to where it’s going, because the path has already been laid out for it.
But what’s the payload?
Is it a boulder? Maybe it’s going to launch deftly in a boulder-y arc that’s easily trackable, predictable, and in a way that makes sense when you launch a boulder from a catapult. Maybe it’s a sheep. It will probably make a lot of noise on its journey and will leave a very wet, crimson stain on the landing pad. Maybe it’s a pile of feathers. No take-off, just an explosion of fluttering white that’ll puff outward and leave everyone wondering who the Hell put you in charge of the catapult.
These are metaphors. The catapult is the journey; the payload is your character. We already have the catapult and the trajectory: At some point, you were not who you are now. Things happened. Then you were who you are now. Simple
Before we can fine-tune your journey, however, we need to first create you. Identify your characteristics, and see what makes you and how you’ll handle different challenges and circumstances. Different characters will go through the same path very differently, like different payloads will behave when launched from a catapult.
This is why it’s important to nail your character down before your story. If you know you; truly know you, then you know how you’ll behave no matter the circumstance or obstacles before you.
So let’s do this!
CHARACTER WORKSHEET
-
What does your character want, more than anything else in the world? What would they pursue relentlessly, foregoing their basic survival instincts? What would make them cross the path of the Gods, and cut. Down. Every. Single. One. Just to be one step closer to the thing they want most? Maybe this is an object. Maybe it’s a person they want to protect. Maybe it’s how they want to be perceived in the world. Another way to think about it: What would they risk their life for?
-
What are their hobbies? What’s the first thing they think of doing the moment they get some free time? What objects do they look for in shops to help them with this hobby? Is it one of leisure or labor?
-
If they were to hoard something, what would it be? Game pieces? Skulls? Books? War medals from others they’ve killed? Pieces of nature like leaves, or rocks? The socks of friends?
-
Think of at least three words to describe who they are, at their core. “Oh, that’s Whatstheirname! They’re always so X, Y, and Z!” The more words, the better.
-
Think of at least three words to describe who they are absolutely not. “Oh, that’s Whatstheirname, they would never be caught doing X, Y, or Z…” Again, the more words, the better.
-
What are their mannerisms? Better yet, where did they get them? Is there a battle-wound they rub when nervous? Maybe they’re constantly checking every entry and exit because they’ve been hunted in the past. Do they unlock and re-lock doors to confirm they’re actually locked?
-
What is their DO-NOT-CROSS line? What I mean: what’s the one thing that you never do, or mention in their presence, at the peril of you and anything with a heartbeat within a 100-meter radius? In addition, what happens when that line is crossed?
-
Who were they before they were who they are now? What was their job? Their social status? Did they like it? Love it?
-
What set them on the path to becoming who they are? Did they have any control of it? Was it their choice, or was the choice made for them and they had to adapt?
-
Favorite animal? What characteristics do they learn from? What qualities of themselves do they see in their family? What qualities from the animal did they wish they have?
-
Favorite weapon? Why? Did a family use it? Are they skilled with it? Is it what soldiers from their past used? Did they find it? Is it a sacred artifact that they want to find?
-
Favorite possession? If there was a fire, what’s the one thing they’d save? What do they take a mental inventory of every time they move from place to place, or go to sleep, or wake up?
-
Favorite food? Why? Does it remind them of home? Is it a delicacy? Does it mean basic survival to them? Or is it something to be enjoyed? Something particular, or anything at hand?
-
There’s a crowd you’re in the middle of. Do you try to blend in, or stand out? Do you weave in and out, weaving past people? Or do you push them out of your way, because they’re in your way?
-
What divine things do they believe in? Is it more of a philosophy? Is it a pantheon of beings or just one? Is it nature? Is it ideals? What do they worship, and how do they worship? With ceremony? Silence? Love? Hatred and resentment?
-
Where were they born? How did it shape them?
-
What’s their education? Are they learned scholars, or uneducated? If they went to school, did they love it or hate it? If they’re uneducated, was it something they’ve always wanted to pursue?
-
What’s the first thing noticed about their physical form? How would you describe it? Is it the way they walk? Is it their voice? Their eyes? Notable scars? Their fashion sense? The weapons they carry? When noticed, how do people react? Intrigue? Fear? Curiosity?
-
What is their clothing based on? What stories can be told from the way they dress? Is it open and flowy? Form-fitting? Protective? Relaxed? Why do they dress that way?
-
What’s one quote, phrase, or sentence that defines them absolutely?
-
What’s their theme-song? (You know you have one.) What’s that one track that you’d put on blast to rock your skull? The one where, within the first 3 seconds, you feel your stripes carving their way across your flesh to become your character? (Maybe it’s a playlist?)
-
What bad habits do they have? Nail-biting? Pulling hair? Picking at things?
-
What are their flaws? This one’s a bit difficult, but flaws flesh out the character. What’s the one (or few) things that would stop them from achieving the one thing they want more than anything else? What stops your character from having that one shining moment where they overcome everything?
-
What’s their mindset? Introverted? Extroverted? (Not you, your character). Do they take time to consider things or make snap judgements with full conviction? Is the world against them, or is everyone for themselves? Do they prefer the spotlight, or behind the scenes? How do they treat their superiors, equals, and perceived inferiors?
-
How are they perceived by others? Those who know them? Those who don’t? What character archetype do they most closely resemble? What stories float around them that they’re unaware of?