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Latest Posts by watergeus - Page 2
some original character (OC) questions that might pique your interest and spark your creativity:
What is your character's biggest fear, and how does it affect their actions and relationships?
What is something your character is deeply passionate about, and how does it drive their goals and motivations
Describe a memorable childhood experience that shaped your character's personality or outlook on life
What are your character's quirks or eccentricities that make them stand out from others?
Does your character have any hidden talents or abilities that only a few people know about?
What is your character's preferred way of coping with stress or difficult situations?
How does your character handle failure or setbacks? Are they resilient or easily discouraged?
Describe a significant relationship in your character's life and how it has influenced them.
What is your character's moral compass? What principles or values do they hold dear?
Imagine your character in a challenging moral dilemma. How would they approach it, and what choice would they make?
Is there a specific physical feature or item that holds special significance to your character? Why is it important to them?
How does your character react to change or unexpected situations? Are they adaptable or resistant?
Does your character have any recurring dreams or nightmares? How do these dreams affect them?
What is your character's preferred method of self-expression? Do they have any artistic talents or creative outlets?
Describe a defining moment in your character's life that marked a turning point or significant change in their path.
Character developement
- Create a detailed backstory: Develop a rich and layered backstory for your character, including their upbringing, past experiences, and significant events that have shaped them. This will provide a foundation for their personality and motivations.
- Define core traits: Identify a few core personality traits that define your character. Consider both positive and negative traits to make them more well-rounded and realistic.
- Give them strengths and weaknesses: No character is perfect. Give your character a mix of strengths and weaknesses to make them relatable and interesting. These flaws can create internal conflicts and opportunities for growth.
- Establish goals and motivations: Determine what drives your character. What are their goals, desires, or ambitions? Understanding their motivations will help shape their actions and decisions throughout the story.
- Create relationships: Develop meaningful relationships for your character with other characters in the story. This includes friends, family, romantic partners, and even adversaries. Consider how these relationships influence and shape your character's development.
- Show internal conflict: Explore the internal struggles and dilemmas your character faces. This could be conflicting emotions, difficult choices, or battling their own fears and insecurities. Internal conflict adds depth and complexity to their development.
- Allow for growth and change: Characters should evolve throughout the story. Consider a character arc that takes your character from a starting point to a transformed state by the end. Give them challenges and experiences that allow them to learn, grow, and change over time.
- Use dialogue effectively: Craft dialogue that reflects your character's unique voice, speech patterns, and personality traits. Dialogue can reveal their emotions, beliefs, and thought processes, providing insights into their character.
- Show, don't tell: Instead of explicitly telling readers about your character's traits, show them through their actions, choices, and interactions with others. This allows readers to form their own opinions and connections with the character.
- Continuously refine and develop: Characters are not static entities. As you write, remain open to new ideas and opportunities for character development. Allow your characters to surprise you and evolve beyond your initial plans.
20 secrets that your character has
1. Hidden Identity: The character is living under an assumed name and concealing their true identity for personal or safety reasons.
2. Past Trauma: The character has experienced a significant traumatic event in their past that they have kept secret, shaping their behavior and motivations.
3. Forbidden Love: The character is involved in a romantic relationship that goes against societal norms or has complications, forcing them to keep it hidden.
4. Hidden Talent: The character possesses a remarkable talent or skill that they have kept hidden from others, fearing judgment or exploitation.
5. Criminal Past: The character has a history of involvement in criminal activities, either as a former offender or as an undercover agent, which they keep concealed from their current life.
6. Family Secret: The character comes from a family with a dark or scandalous secret that they are determined to keep hidden, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.
7. Betrayal: The character has betrayed someone close to them in the past, and they carry the guilt and shame of their actions as a closely guarded secret.
8. Hidden Agenda: The character is harboring a hidden agenda or ulterior motive, manipulating events and people to serve their own interests.
9. Hidden Wealth: The character possesses significant wealth or resources that they keep hidden to maintain a humble or low-profile existence.
10. Supernatural Abilities: The character possesses supernatural abilities, such as telekinesis or mind-reading, which they keep concealed for fear of persecution or exploitation.
11. Lost Memories: The character has gaps in their memory or a forgotten past that they are desperate to uncover, unsure of what they might discover.
12. Hidden Agenda: The character is working undercover or as a double agent, keeping their true intentions and loyalties hidden from those around them.
13. Terminal Illness: The character has been diagnosed with a serious illness but chooses to keep it a secret, not wanting to burden others or alter their relationships.
14. Stolen Identity: The character has assumed someone else's identity, perhaps due to a troubled past or to escape a dangerous situation.
15. Secret Society: The character is a member of a secretive organization or society with its own rules, rituals, and agenda, which they keep hidden from the outside world.
16. Guilty Pleasure: The character has a guilty pleasure or indulges in a secret hobby that is incongruent with their public image or perceived personality.
17. Hidden Fear: The character has a deep-rooted fear or phobia that they go to great lengths to hide from others, fearing it will make them appear weak or vulnerable.
18. Lost Love: The character had a past love or relationship that ended tragically or abruptly, and they keep their feelings and memories associated with it concealed from others.
19. Hidden Enemy: The character is secretly being targeted or pursued by an unknown enemy or antagonist, and they must keep their guard up to protect themselves and those around them.
20. Unfulfilled Dreams: The character harbors dreams and aspirations that they have never shared with anyone, feeling uncertain or afraid of pursuing them.
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30 Questions for your Dark Urge
These questions can be used as an Ask Game or just answering them all for fun character development!
(Tav edition here)
What circumstances led to your Dark Urge becoming their Class/Subclass?
Did your Dark Urge have any romantic and/or sexual relationships prior to their illithid adventure? If yes, who was it with and what was it like? If no, how did they feel about being single?
What would your Dark Urge consider to be their greatest skill? Is this accurate?
What would your Dark Urge consider to be their greatest flaw? Is this accurate?
What opinion does your Dark Urge have about the Gods?
How does your Dark Urge react to waking up with memory loss?
Did your Dark Urge recall any childhood memories? If yes, how do they feel about the revelations? If no, was it by choice or lack of options?
How does your Dark Urge feel about the wilderness?
How does your Dark Urge feel about the city?
What motivates your Dark Urge to either embrace or resist the tadpole?
What motivates your Dark Urge to either embrace or resist the Urge?
How does your Dark Urge feel about being a bhaalspawn?
How does your Dark Urge feel about killing?
How good of a liar is your Dark Urge? How do they feel about lying?
What is your Dark Urge’s greatest fear?
What is your Dark Urge’s greatest desire?
What is your Dark Urge’s greatest regret?
How does your Dark Urge feel about love?
Has your Dark Urge become particularly close to anyone romantically and/or platonically in their journey? If so, who, and what is the relationship like? If no, why not?
Is your Dark Urge open about their Urge or do they try to hide it? Why?
What are 2-3 songs that your Dark Urge would relate to?
What first impression does your Dark Urge give off to strangers?
How does your Dark Urge feel about what others think of them?
Does your Dark Urge have a treasured item with them? If yes, what is it and why is it special? If no, how do they feel about item sentimentality in general?
How does your Dark Urge feel about Sceleritas Fel?
How does your Dark Urge feel about Bhaal?
How does your Dark Urge feel about giving and receiving orders?
How well does your Dark Urge function under pressure?
What advice would you give to your Dark Urge?
What are your Dark Urge’s intentions/goals after the end of the game?
Character Movements #1
1. Sighing: The character releases a deep breath, conveying frustration, relief, weariness, or resignation.
2. Shivering: The character's body trembles involuntarily, often indicating fear, coldness, or a strong emotional response.
3. Trembling hands: The character's hands shake noticeably, suggesting nervousness, anxiety, or fear.
4. Clenching fists: The character tightens their hands into fists, expressing anger, determination, or frustration.
5. Biting nails: The character nibbles or bites their nails, indicating nervousness, anxiety, or anticipation.
6. Tapping fingers: The character rhythmically taps their fingers on a surface, suggesting impatience, irritation, or deep thought.
7. Pacing: The character walks back and forth in a small area, indicating restlessness, anxiety, or contemplation.
8. Slumping shoulders: The character's shoulders droop or sag, conveying defeat, sadness, or exhaustion.
9. Tilting head: The character inclines their head to the side, expressing curiosity, attentiveness, or confusion.
10. Rubbing temples: The character massages their temples with their fingertips, suggesting stress, tiredness, or a headache.
Body language cheat sheet for writers
As a writer, understanding and incorporating body language into your storytelling can greatly enhance your characters and their interactions. Here's a cheat sheet to help you describe body language effectively:
Facial Expressions:
* Raised eyebrows: Surprise, disbelief, or curiosity.
* Furrowed brow: Concentration, confusion, or frustration.
* Smiling: Happiness, amusement, or friendliness.
* Frowning: Disapproval, sadness, or concern.
* Lip biting: Nervousness, anticipation, or tension.
Eye Movements:
* Eye contact: Confidence, interest, or honesty.
* Avoiding eye contact: Shyness, guilt, or deception.
* Narrowed eyes: Suspicion, skepticism, or concentration.
* Wide eyes: Shock, fear, or surprise.
* Rolling eyes: Exasperation, annoyance, or disbelief.
Gestures:
* Crossing arms: Defensiveness, disagreement, or discomfort.
* Nervous fidgeting: Anxiety, restlessness, or impatience.
* Pointing: Assertiveness, emphasis, or accusation.
* Open palms: Honesty, openness, or sincerity.
* Hand on chin: Deep thought, contemplation, or evaluation.
Posture and Movement:
* Slumped shoulders: Defeat, sadness, or fatigue.
* Upright posture: Confidence, attentiveness, or authority.
* Pacing: Restlessness, agitation, or contemplation.
* Tapping foot: Impatience, annoyance, or frustration.
* Leaning in: Interest, engagement, or curiosity.
Touch:
* Hugging: Affection, comfort, or warmth.
* Handshake: Greeting, introduction, or agreement.
* Patting on the back: Encouragement, praise, or camaraderie.
* Clenched fists: Anger, determination, or frustration.
* Brushing hair behind the ear: Nervousness, coyness, or flirtation.
Mirroring:
* When two characters unconsciously mimic each other's body language, it indicates rapport, connection, or empathy.
Nodding:
* A subtle nod can convey agreement, understanding, or encouragement.
Crossed legs:
* Crossed legs can indicate relaxation or a casual, nonchalant attitude.
Tapping fingers:
* Impatience, anticipation, or nervousness can be expressed through rhythmic finger tapping.
Hand on the chest:
* Placing a hand on the chest can convey sincerity, empathy, or a heartfelt emotion.
- Tilting the head:
* Tilting the head to the side can suggest curiosity, attentiveness, or interest.
Rubbing the temples:
* Rubbing the temples can indicate stress, fatigue, or a headache.
Chin stroking:
* Stroking the chin while in thought can portray contemplation, decision-making, or intellectual curiosity.
Arms crossed behind the back:
* This posture can indicate authority, confidence, or a composed demeanor.
Tilted body posture:
* Leaning slightly towards someone can suggest interest, attraction, or engagement in a conversation.
Biting nails:
* Nail-biting can reveal anxiety, nervousness, or tension.
Foot tapping:
* Rapid or impatient foot tapping can show agitation, restlessness, or eagerness.
Squinting:
* Squinting the eyes can signal suspicion, doubt, or an attempt to focus on something.
Shifting weight from foot to foot:
* Shifting weight can imply discomfort, unease, or anticipation.
Covering the mouth while speaking:
* This gesture can indicate hesitation, embarrassment, or the desire to hide something.
Remember that body language can vary across different cultures and individuals, so consider your character's background and personality while describing their movements. Additionally, body language is best used in combination with dialogue and internal thoughts to create a more nuanced portrayal of your characters.
Happy writing!
Oh my gosh. I just found this website that walks you though creating a believable society. It breaks each facet down into individual questions and makes it so simple! It seems really helpful for worldbuilding!
Honestly? My main piece of advice for writing well-rounded characters is to make them a little bit lame. No real living person is 100% cool and suave 100% of the time. Everyone's a little awkward sometimes, or gets too excited about something goofy, or has a silly fear, or laughs about stupid things. Being a bit of a loser is an incurable part of the human condition. Utilize that in your writing.