Ultimate Character Development Template

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.

Hello,

I’ve had this page for a while, but I might start using it more seriously to post some of my writing.

I always enjoyed writing and wrote a lot when I was younger and through most of school, but once I hit high school I just stopped, mainly because I didn’t have a lot of free time, but I was always self conscious of my writing, too. What if it’s no good? What if no one likes it? It brought me joy, though, and I believe that’s the most important thing.

I have a few ideas for short stories and even longer tales I’m hoping to work on and (maybe) share here.

So, if anyone actually reads this, or anything else I put out there, thank you & I hope you enjoy it.

✨🖤🖋️📚

Use character to appearance to do more:

They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but appearance sure can say a lot. Unfortunately when writing (or even drawing) it is more than easy to forget that factor. Using character appearance to describe the world, add personality to the character, and give the reader more information does wonders. 

It makes sneaking in character appearance much easier, and gives the writer plenty of chances to expand on the world on their page.

Things you can use character appearance to do (but not limited to)

Hint at a character’s economic status

Add personality to a character

Add to a character’s backstory 

Make notes about a character’s health

Worldbuild the fashion

Describe a character’s occupation

Make references to a character’s passion or hobby

Hint at a character’s relationship status

How a character feels about their own appearance

Family relations

Hint at a character’s education

Subvert expectations

Explore character’s potential gender identity

Align the character alongside dynamics or trope

Explain the time frame the story takes place in

Hint at the level of technology in a world

Describe a character’s culture, race, ethnicity, etc.

♡

I have an idea for a short story about a girl who is taken by the Fae, sort of like a changeling situation. She eventually gets back to her realm, but discovers that much more time has passed than she thought while she was with the Fae.

I have some areas of the story planned out, but I’m trying to figure out how to end it 🤔💭

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!

Here's a extensive list of character flaws/Addictions to consider for your storytelling:

1. Stubbornness

2. Impulsiveness

3. Jealousy

4. Indecisiveness

5. Arrogance

6. Insecurity

7. Impatience

8. Manipulativeness

9. Hot-tempered

10. Perfectionism

11. Distrust

12. Procrastination

13. Selfishness

14. Pessimism

15. Dishonesty

16. Greed

17. Cowardice

18. Lack of empathy

19. Overly competitive

20. Control freak

21. Lack of ambition

22. Oversensitivity

23. Laziness

24. Lack of self-discipline

25. Addiction

26. Closed-mindedness

27. Lack of assertiveness

28. Impulsivity

29. Materialistic

30. Lack of accountability

31. Inflexibility

32. Moody

33. Overly critical

34. Judgmental

35. Naivety

36. Attention-seeking

37. Suspiciousness

38. Overprotectiveness

39. Ingratitude

40. Vengefulness

41. Envy

42. Indulgence

43. Disloyalty

44. Self-centeredness

45. Negativity

46. Manipulative

47. Disorganized

48. Lack of self-awareness

49. Irresponsibility

50. Intolerance

51. Overthinking

52. Restlessness

53. Excessive need for control

54. Rigidity

55. Overly trusting

56. Recklessness

57. Narcissism

58. Escapism

59. Gullibility

60. Lack of ambition

61. Inability to forgive

62. Excessive need for validation

63. Attention-seeking behavior

64. People-pleasing

65. Overprotectiveness

66. Self-doubt

67. Passive-aggressiveness

68. Inability to handle criticism

69. Lack of boundaries

70. Superiority complex

Remember, a well-rounded character doesn't need to possess all of these flaws. Select a few that resonate with your character's personality, background, and story arc. Balancing flaws with strengths and vulnerabilities will help create multi-dimensional and relatable characters.

Happy writing!

Follow me on my IG for more Content. https://instagram.com/saraswritingtipps?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Dappled sunlight streams through the trees. The filtered light warms the skin I bare to nature, clothes haphazardly shed and forgotten, a bread crumb trail leading to the blue lake. Wading into the water, I wash away the dirt and sweat dried to my skin- cleansing away my sins better than any baptism could ever hope to achieve.

- salvation.

Queen and their movie counterparts

Currently working on a short story about two people who dated back in college meeting up to talk over coffee after losing contact for a few years. Things ended badly between the two and one of them is hoping to discuss things to finally get closure, but sometimes things just aren’t that simple.