Character Development #2

I've found another way of defining your main character. It's mostly for main characters as it is fairly comprehensive.

I'm still getting into the Halloween spirit. I'm currently reading The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, which is kind of a cross between zombies and vampires, in my opinion. To keep it going, I've been watching horror movies left and right, last night was Quarentine, a zombie movie.

I've come to the conclusion that there are only so many different personas that zombies/vampires/witches etc can have while maintaining their horrifying image. I would love to see these creatures reinvented. (If you must, your vampire can certainly have a heart and a love interest, but I live no more than twenty miles from Forks which means I am TIRED of the Twilight saga so NO SPARKLING VAMPIRES!!)

Vital Statistics
• Name
• Nickname
• Reasons for name (if any)
• Age
• Sex
• Nationality
• Disabilities (if any)
• Glasses/contact lenses wearer?
Physical Appearance
• Height
• Build
• Weight
• Complexion
• Colour of hair
• Quality of hair
• Usual hairstyle
• Colour of eyes
• Facial features
• Distinguishing features
• Scars/birthmarks (if any)
• General health
• Style of dress
• Grooming
Early Childhood
• Birthplace
• Father’s parenting style/occupation/attitude
• Mother’s parenting style/occupation/attitude
• If no parents, why?
• Siblings (if any)
• Relationships with family members
• Family feuds (if any)
• Financial situation
• Happiest memory
• Childhood traumas
• Childhood even that still affects him/her
Biographical Details
• Education
• Occupation history
• Successes/achievements
• Failures
• Obstacles in life (a disability or family commitments)
• Special skills (if any)
• Gifts/talents
• Geographical history (residency abroad etc.)
Personal Life
• Past key relationships
• Marriages/divorces (if any)
• Sexual orientation
• Why did relationships end?
• Any recurrent themes
• Past convictions (if any)
• Hobbies
• Favourite food/drink
• Usual haunts
• Philosophy in life (carefree, cautious?) Why?
• Religion (if any)
Present Situation
• Marital status
• Quality of marriage/partnership
• Issues in marriage/partnership (infidelities?)
• Children/dependents
• Names of children/dependents, ages, sex
• Relationship with children/dependents
• Occupation
• Is s/he happy in occupation? If not, why?
• What would s/he rather be doing?
• Relationship with work colleagues
• Issues at work (if any)
• Financial situation
• Quality of home life
• Typical daily routine
• Type of car/s driven
Secret Life
• Phobias
• What is the worst thing that could happen to him/her?
• What is the best thing that could happen to him/her?
• Addictive behaviour (alcohol, gambling, etc)
• Personal detail most ashamed of
• What s/he would most like to change about them self. Why?
• What s/he mostly wants from life
• Personal goals
• Personal strengths
• Personal weaknesses
• Sexual transgressions (if any)
• Compulsions (if any)
• Obsessions (if any)


Using this, come up with a sci-fi/ horror creature. Even zombies have motives. As always, post what you wrote

Writing Exercise #2

It's Halloween time and I find myself devouring books of the horror and suspense genre. There is something so fascinating about human reactions in a scary situation, but that's much more complex. I think the element that scares me the most in a scary book is the suspense and anticipation that you feel while you're waiting for the zombie/monster/vampire/ etc to strike.

Imagine yourself in a situation in which you are essentially trapped. Maybe it was an accident, maybe it was on purpose. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your senses tell you someone (or something) is there. Describe your body and mind's reaction as things get tense. To add a twist, perhaps you can't see or are only seeing through a crack or a crevise. Describe what's going on around you blindedly. As always, feel free to post your writings here and enjoy