Ultimate Character Development Template

ultimate character development template

basics

name: meaning of name: nicknames/titles: age: gender: location: birthday: strengths + example where it's shown: weaknesses + example where it's shown: how it affects others:

emotional depth

attachment style + how it manifests in the story: physical fear: emotional/abstract fear: happy memory: sad memory: object of significance: philosophical outlook/belief: what characters are ignorant about themselves: how confident are they: goal: long-term dreams: what they're embarrassed/ashamed to tell others about: regrets: source of pride: source of misery: what they admire above all else: do they believe in fate:

personality

mbti: enneagram: big five: character archetype: star sign: who they pretend to be on the outside: who they actually are/how they feel towards the mask: mental health conditions: how it manifests for them: iq: eq: humour: reputation:

habits

bad habits: mannerisms when stressed: mannerisms when content: mannerisms when scared: mannerisms normally: verbal mannerisms/distinctive speaking style: how do they move across a room: what do they say and what remains unsaid: how they express love: hobbies:

appearance

defining features: eye shape + colour: hair texture + colour: skin texture + tone: vibe: height: build: clothing: any bodily disfigurement (scars, etc.): overall attractiveness: their opinion on their appearance: appeals to:

relationships

who they trust most: what they wish they could do for them: what's holding them back: who they hate most: what they wish they could do to them: what's holding them back: relationship with the protagonist: relationship with the antagonist: siblings: relationship with them: parents/step-parents: relationship with them: previous broken relationships: why did it break: what others expect of them: who believes in them: their mentor character/who they look up to: political/religious/other affiliations: what makes them different from every other character: non-human relationships + why: romantic "type" + why: relationship dynamics:

backstory/background

primary emotion towards their past: primary feelings while in their past: where did they grow up: defining incidents: earliest childhood memory: saddest memory: happiest memory: major accomplishments: their opinion on it: notable people in their backstory: effect on them today: trauma: what have they already lost: financial circumstance:

progression

why are they important (eg. why're they the only one able to do something?): what do they learn about themselves throughout the story: what do they learn about the world: how do they feel towards their newfound knowledge: character arc (positive, negative, neutral): how relationships change because of their actions: what mistakes do they make: what scene is their character highlighted: do they get what they want: why or why not: what happens to them after the story ends:

yes

hey are you the american prairies the way that people who don't know you make uncharitable generalizations and assume there's nothing of interest but people who do know you think you're beautiful and unique and defend you fiercely and consider you a vital part of the world

holy shit~

A bracelet clasp with a Medusa on an emerald cameo. Gold is treated with diamond and enamel. 18th century. Made in England.

I would like to add that can we please have Ben Barnes and Andrew Garfield as Sirius and Remus because they're still too old for the roles (which the actors will undoubtedly be anyway) but they're closer then Gary and David were (love those guys). Like Ben Barnes is already half on board. Have you seen that man's tiktok acc?

So we are getting a Harry Potter reboot, but I actually want a The Marauders movie. I need to see young Sirius, I need Regulus and Marlene on my screen. I need the Black Brothers, I need Wolfstar

subtle ways to include foreshadowing

one character knowing something offhandedly that they shouldn't, isn't addressed until later

the crow rhyme

colours!! esp if like, blue is evil in your world and the mc's best friend is always noted to wear blue...betrayal?

write with the ending in mind

use patterns from tragic past events to warn of the future

keep the characters distracted! run it in the background until the grand reveal

WEATHER.

do some research into Chekhov's gun

mention something that the mc dismisses over and over

KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU PUT. don't leave things hanging.

unreliable characters giving information that turn out to be true

flowers and names with meanings

anything with meanings actually

metaphors. if one character describes another as "a real demon" and the other turns out to be the bad guy, you're kind of like...ohhh yeahhh

anyways add anything else in the tags

I just noticed a glaring typo and fixed it. I am so sorry to everyone that read this and also even more grateful to everyone who enjoyed/liked/reblogged it <3

Camel

CW: lil blurb, fluffy, smoking themed, gn!reader, can be read as platonic or romantic, 294 words

Mattheo only buys the shittiest brands of cigarettes; cheap, addictive, gross, way too much nicotine in them. But he likes 'em, cause he gets his fix.

But when you ask him to quit, he knows he can't just stop cold turkey. And risk the withdrawals turning him into an ass? Absolutely not. Last thing he wants is to yell at you. So he tells you he'll try, and he thinks about it for a while.

He doesn't stop smoking. You notice immediately though that he's going outside more, taking more breaks, but only for about a week. Then, he's back to his normal schedule for a few weeks, if not a bit grumpy sometimes. He never snaps at you, he's just a bit tired, or that's how it seems anyway. He tells you he's working on it, he's trying real hard to quit.

But one day you're outside with him when he pulls one out, and you frown a little at the box.

"They look different," you remark, trying to place it. This package has a little camel on it, his old ones used to just be dark and strong. He looks down at them and then back at you sheepishly.

"The name-brand ones have less nicotine," he says by way of explanation, running his hand over the back of his neck. "I'm using 'em to slow down. I don't smoke more than three of these a day."

He went from a pack a day of pure nicotine to three cigarettes of the tamer stuff in only a month. Simply because you asked him to.

You lean in and kiss his cheek, a smile dancing on your lips at his surprised eyes. "I'm proud of you," you say gently.

He's never loved you more.