A Writer's Guide To Character Development

A Writer's Guide to Character Development

I don’t know about you guys, but I can only answer “what’s your character’s favorite flavor of ice cream” so many times before I realize those lists are not going to help me actually write the character.

So, instead, I like to drabble practice. Answer these ten key questions about your character (answer in character). Then, after you know them a little better, write ten scenes (NOT part of your planned story) with the ten prompts below. Set it in your world, but it can be whenever you want—pre-story, or post-story, or mid-story. You could even write two scenes for one prompt, contrasting where your character starts the story and where they end up, or write one in first person and then write it again in third.

Just has to cover events that are NOT plot points. The point of the exercise is to come up with scenes you can toss out as soon as you finish them. You might end up using some of the lines or scenes you come up with, but for now you’re just playing around. 

QUESTIONS

What does your character tell everyone is their greatest fear? What is it actually? Is it the same? Why or why not?

What is their greatest strength and greatest weakness? 

Name the most important people to this character. All of them. Family and close friends and lovers.

Does your character have enemies? Who and why?

What is your character’s favorite holiday and why? 

How does your character like to present himself/herself? How do they dress? How do they act? Are they friendly or standoffish? Do they like to make a scene, or are they a wallflower?

What is their love language? How do they express it, and how do they best receive it?

What is their highest virtue? What is something that peers would praise about your character? What do they value most in other people?

Are they messy or neat? Why or why not?

If your character could change one thing about their life, what would it be and why? And, conversely, if they could only save one thing from their life, what would it be?

PROMPTS

Your character has had a bad day. What happened?

Your character’s loved one is sick. What do they do?

It’s your character’s birthday.

Someone is hiding something from your character. How do they uncover what it is?

Your character has just heard the news. A character they loved is dead. Describe the rest of their day.

Your character is on their own for dinner.

Your character has the day to himself/herself. No responsibilities, nothing. What do they do?

In the middle of the night, your character hears a noise in the house.

Your character knows they will die at midnight. What is their last day like?

Your character suddenly develops amnesia. Their loved ones try to jog your character’s memories by taking them to familiar locations and reminiscing. 

More Posts from Anovelidea13 and Others

1 year ago

Literally writing a verbal fighting scene and it's tense af. My entire body is reacting as though I am the one having an argument.

Am busy doing this.

Am Busy Doing This.
Am Busy Doing This.
5 months ago

Other Words for "Look" + With meanings | List for writers

Many people create lists of synonyms for the word 'said,' but what about the word 'look'? Here are some synonyms that I enjoy using in my writing, along with their meanings for your reference. While all these words relate to 'look,' they each carry distinct meanings and nuances, so I thought it would be helpful to provide meanings for each one.

Gaze - To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration or thought.

Glance - A brief or hurried look.

Peek - A quick and typically secretive look.

Peer - To look with difficulty or concentration.

Scan - To look over quickly but thoroughly.

Observe - To watch carefully and attentively.

Inspect - To look at closely in order to assess condition or quality.

Stare - To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.

Glimpse - To see or perceive briefly or partially.

Eye - To look or stare at intently.

Peruse - To read or examine something with great care.

Scrutinize - To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Behold - To see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable one.

Witness - To see something happen, typically a significant event.

Spot - To see, notice, or recognize someone or something.

Contemplate - To look thoughtfully for a long time at.

Sight - To suddenly or unexpectedly see something or someone.

Ogle - To stare at in a lecherous manner.

Leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious way.

Gawk - To stare openly and stupidly.

Gape - To stare with one's mouth open wide, in amazement.

Squint - To look with eyes partially closed.

Regard - To consider or think of in a specified way.

Admire - To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval.

Skim - To look through quickly to gain superficial knowledge.

Reconnoiter - To make a military observation of a region.

Flick - To look or move the eyes quickly.

Rake - To look through something rapidly and unsystematically.

Glare - To look angrily or fiercely.

Peep - To look quickly and secretly through an opening.

Focus - To concentrate one's visual effort on.

Discover - To find or realize something not clear before.

Spot-check - To examine something briefly or at random.

Devour - To look over with eager enthusiasm.

Examine - To inspect in detail to determine condition.

Feast one's eyes - To look at something with great enjoyment.

Catch sight of - To suddenly or unexpectedly see.

Clap eyes on - To suddenly see someone or something.

Set eyes on - To look at, especially for the first time.

Take a dekko - Colloquial for taking a look.

Leer at - To look or gaze in a suggestive manner.

Rubberneck - To stare at something in a foolish way.

Make out - To manage to see or read with difficulty.

Lay eyes on - To see or look at.

Pore over - To look at or read something intently.

Ogle at - To look at in a lecherous or predatory way.

Pry - To look or inquire into something in a determined manner.

Dart - To look quickly or furtively.

Drink in - To look at with great enjoyment or fascination.

Bask in - To look at or enjoy something for a period of time.

The Writer's Scene Workbook
Gumroad
Calling all aspiring storytellers with hearts full of whimsy! Get ready to sprinkle a touch of enchantment into your scenes with my Scene Wo
Join Write Right Society • Community on Tumblr
Tumblr
683 members, 435 posts about #creative writing #creative writers #helping writers • Guiding Writers to New Heights
5 months ago

Writing Reference: Medicinal Herbs

Rosemary Flowered (detail)
Alexander Shilov
1980

10 plants for your character's medicinal herb garden

PLANT — When to Plant — Conditions & Care — Medicinal Uses

ALOE VERA — spring/autumn — sunny site indoors; pot up as needed; do not overwater — fresh plant gel for minor burns and wounds

CALENDULA — spring/autumn — well-drained soil; full sun; remove dead flower heads — cream for cuts, scrapes, inflamed skin; infusion for fungal infections

COMFREY — spring/autumn — warm sunny site; moist soil — ointment or poultice for sprains and bruises (use the leaf only)

FEVERFEW — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, stony soil in sun — fresh leaf or tincture for headaches and migraines

LEMON BALM — spring/autumn — moist soil in sun; cut back after flowering — infusion for anxiety, poor sleep, and nervous indigestion; lotion for cold sores

PEPPERMINT — spring/autumn — sunny but moist site; do not allow to dry out — infusion for indigestion and headaches; lotion for itchy skin

ROSEMARY — spring/autumn — sunny sheltered site; protect with burlap in winter — infusion as a stimulating nerve tonic and to aid weak digestion

SAGE — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, sunny, sheltered site — infusion for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and diarrhea

ST. JOHN'S WORT — spring/autumn — well-drained to dry soil with sun or partial shade — tincture for depression and menopause; infused oil is antiseptic and heals wounds

THYME — spring/summer — well-drained soil, may need a layer of gravel; sunny site — infusion for coughs, colds, and chest infections; lotion for fungal infections

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References

1 year ago

I present to you...The Court of Shadows

I Present To You...The Court Of Shadows
I Present To You...The Court Of Shadows
I Present To You...The Court Of Shadows
I Present To You...The Court Of Shadows

Jude - The Queen

"If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse"

Garrett - The Ghost

"You're scheming"

Van - The Roach

"You came out of the sea even tougher than you went in"

Liliver - The Bomb

"Long live Jude, no thanks to me"

Artist: PhantomRin

5 months ago

body language descriptions please?

(eg: she cocked her head)

thank you 💗💗💗

Body Language Descriptions

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

Anxiety/Nervousness

She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her fingers tugging nervously at the fabric as she struggled to find the right words.

They bit their lower lip.

He looked away, unable to meet her gaze, a clear indication of his guilt.

She absentmindedly rubbed her neck.

He chewed his nails, a nervous habit that he couldn't seem to quit.

They rubbed their hands together nervously.

He tightened his jaw.

She felt beads of sweat forming on her brow, betraying her calm facade as her heart raced.

Frustration/Impatience

Their fists clenched at their sides.

He tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table, a clear sign of impatience as he waited for her to finish.

He rolled his eyes, the gesture full of exasperation as he dismissed her words.

She let out a heavy sigh, the sound heavy with resignation as she faced the inevitable.

He threw his hands up in defeat.

Curiosity

He leaned forward in his chair, eager to hear more, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical as she questioned his intentions.

She tilted her head slightly.

He watched intently, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in every detail of her story.

Confidence/Assertiveness

He stood tall with his shoulders back, projecting confidence even in the face of uncertainty.

They sat on the edge of their seat.

She gestured wildly, her hands moving animatedly as she tried to express her excitement.

He stood with his hands on his hips, exuding an air of authority and control over the situation.

They held their chin up high, projecting self-assurance even in the face of adversity.

Defensiveness/Resignation

He crossed his arms over his chest, a defensive posture that spoke volumes about his discomfort.

He braced himself against the wall, a protective stance.

She folded her hands in her lap, a sign of restraint as she fought the urge to speak.

They shrank back slightly, their shoulders hunching as if trying to make themselves smaller in the face of criticism.

He held his breath momentarily, steeling himself for the inevitable conflict he sensed was coming.

She covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the situation as she tried to block out the world.

Thoughtfulness/Concentration

She furrowed her brow in concentration, her mind clearly racing as she tried to solve the problem at hand.

She nodded slowly, processing the information, her expression thoughtful and contemplative.

He stared blankly into space, lost in thought as he processed what had just been revealed.

He drummed his fingers on the table, the rhythmic sound a sign of his deep contemplation.

She tapped her foot lightly, her mind racing.

Eagerness/Excitement

He paced back and forth, his restless energy manifesting in the constant movement as he considered his options.

She bent forward, her elbows resting on her knees, a sign of intimacy and engagement in the conversation.

She swayed slightly from side to side, a subconscious display of her nervous energy as she waited for the verdict.

He bounced on his toes, his excitement palpable.

She jumped up and down, a spontaneous display of her joy that couldn’t be contained.

1 year ago

This artwork is just STUNNING.

Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios
Lovers Of Elfhame By Frostbite Studios

Lovers of Elfhame by Frostbite Studios

7 months ago

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN HOLLY BLACK YOU CANT JUST SAY THIS 😭😭😭

like am i stupid or what bc WHOS POV IS THE NEXT BOOK GONNA BE IN?! she says it won’t be nicasias??? but i totally thought it was?

cardan was the one who said what was gonna happen next, but holly has also said that there’s a lot of story left in Jude?

and we were left on almost a cliffhanger w the prisoners throne, never rly seeing oak and suren together officially.

AND since it’ll be undersea focused, but not nicasias pov, will it be the pov of her husband???

the prisoners throne mentioned a something “croin” guy who’s the underseas opp so will he be nicasias future hubby? or will he be Jude and cardans and potentially nicasias political problem?

But what does “straight sequel” mean 😭 sorta seems like it’ll be cardan pov but IDKK

I’m panicking. Let me know what you think of this bc idk

11 months ago

I definitely laughed harder at this than I should have.

BRIDGERTON (2020—) S03 | E06
BRIDGERTON (2020—) S03 | E06

BRIDGERTON (2020—) S03 | E06

BRIDGERTON (2020—) S03 | E06
1 year ago

I've ended up falling down a Dramione rabbit hole. I read some really amazing ones (Wait and Hope and Draco Malfoy and The Mortifying Ordeal of Being In Love are probably my favorites, although Measure of a Man was also PHENOMENAL).

However, I've just finished Manacled. It was so well written and absolutely brilliant, but holy shit on a stick if it didn't break my heart.

The alternate ending to the Battle of Hogwarts was worse than even my panicked teenaged brain could have come up with back when Deathly Hallows actually came out. I wept for characters I've always loved in ways I didn't think I could.

I finished the flashback scenes last night and thought about them all morning, until I forced myself to get back into it and read the rest of the story. Which was still devastating. But honestly.

I am currently drowning my sorrows in Meg Cabot's cheerful writing and then I'll have to reread something funny and familiar. All the people telling me they've reread Manacled, like, HOW?! I need a few years away from it before I could think of rereading.


Tags
  • elluqien710
    elluqien710 liked this · 1 week ago
  • eeetherealcrybaby
    eeetherealcrybaby liked this · 3 weeks ago
  • di-iche
    di-iche liked this · 4 weeks ago
  • kmorgan-morganic
    kmorgan-morganic reblogged this · 1 month ago
  • newdawnhorizon
    newdawnhorizon reblogged this · 1 month ago
  • thornhands
    thornhands reblogged this · 1 month ago
  • theothergal
    theothergal liked this · 1 month ago
  • whimsyswastry
    whimsyswastry reblogged this · 2 months ago
  • itsthewraith
    itsthewraith liked this · 2 months ago
  • narcline
    narcline liked this · 3 months ago
  • wynters-writings
    wynters-writings liked this · 3 months ago
  • changelingdoll
    changelingdoll reblogged this · 3 months ago
  • shimmeringecho
    shimmeringecho liked this · 3 months ago
  • heza-el
    heza-el liked this · 3 months ago
  • qqaba
    qqaba reblogged this · 3 months ago
  • aelaer
    aelaer liked this · 4 months ago
  • poppypiqueerer
    poppypiqueerer reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • limeli11les
    limeli11les liked this · 4 months ago
  • philosophicalparadox
    philosophicalparadox reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • philosophicalparadox
    philosophicalparadox liked this · 4 months ago
  • sixtysecondstreet
    sixtysecondstreet liked this · 4 months ago
  • whumping-pencil
    whumping-pencil reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • belinya
    belinya reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • tryg-n-tyra
    tryg-n-tyra liked this · 4 months ago
  • dragonkales
    dragonkales liked this · 4 months ago
  • karnesworth
    karnesworth liked this · 4 months ago
  • adrenaline-whump
    adrenaline-whump liked this · 4 months ago
  • mamakitty187
    mamakitty187 reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • projectmagical
    projectmagical reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • thewritinggrindstone
    thewritinggrindstone reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • suntridents
    suntridents liked this · 4 months ago
  • midnightstarlightqueen
    midnightstarlightqueen liked this · 4 months ago
  • sweetly-fading-fire-blog
    sweetly-fading-fire-blog liked this · 4 months ago
  • newdawnhorizon
    newdawnhorizon reblogged this · 4 months ago
  • atlasthecookie1
    atlasthecookie1 reblogged this · 5 months ago
  • transparententhusiastmentality
    transparententhusiastmentality liked this · 5 months ago
  • astrophellius
    astrophellius liked this · 5 months ago
  • sailor-reni
    sailor-reni liked this · 5 months ago
  • minecraftcreepercat
    minecraftcreepercat liked this · 5 months ago
  • billmicrophone
    billmicrophone liked this · 5 months ago
  • newdawnhorizon
    newdawnhorizon reblogged this · 6 months ago
  • faiakishi
    faiakishi liked this · 6 months ago
  • mercurymiscellany
    mercurymiscellany reblogged this · 6 months ago
  • tigerkat24
    tigerkat24 liked this · 6 months ago
  • merlinsniece
    merlinsniece reblogged this · 6 months ago
  • erynia14th
    erynia14th liked this · 6 months ago
  • cookiekappa
    cookiekappa liked this · 6 months ago
  • splashdragon
    splashdragon reblogged this · 6 months ago
  • splashdragon
    splashdragon liked this · 6 months ago
  • chewymoo
    chewymoo liked this · 6 months ago
anovelidea13 - A Novel Idea
A Novel Idea

Book posts, fandom love, and a doom pile for ideas.

165 posts

Explore Tumblr Blog
Search Through Tumblr Tags