What Are Core Values, And How Do You Pick Them For Your Characters? (Part I Of Core Values)

What are core values, and how do you pick them for your characters? (Part I of Core Values)

A core value is a fundamental belief your character holds, one that is so obvious to them that they cannot explain it. A character's decisions will always be guided by their core values. Some examples:

Integrity means a character will stick to their moral code; often links to the core values of Honesty, Trustworthiness, and Loyalty.

Justice means a character will seek to right wrongs, whether caused by someone else or themselves.

Autonomy means a character needs to guide their own path and not be told what to do by others.

Loyalty means a character will act in a way that will benefit those to whom they are loyal, whether that's a family member, friend, or another individual (or organization) that has earned their loyalty.

Survival means a character will do whatever it takes to keep themselves alive.

Family means a character puts family above all else; strongly linked to Loyalty.

Personal gain means a character will do anything for wealth or other commodities.

Reputation means a character is concerned about how they appear to others and will do anything to make sure others see them as they wish to be seen.

How do you pick core values for your characters?

Core values are the root of all motivation, but there are a lot of ways to figure out what they are. The answer to the titular question depends on how you like to create your characters.

Some writers start with a basic character 'picture,' like "strong-willed airship pilot on an adventure for lost treasure". Other writers start with a character-story hybrid, such as "grumpy, asocial wasteland survivalist who discovers what it means to be part of a found family."

Still others might have an entirely different approach, but these are the two I'll focus on today.

Building your character "values-first"

You may wish to decide your character's core values first to figure out what situations to put them in. Choose 2 or 3 to start. The "grumpy, asocial wasteland survivalist" character has values already baked into the concept. They value their Privacy/Autonomy and will prioritize Survival, but eventually, their Loyalty will prove more important. Try this: Write a blurb for each value you've picked that explains how this value affects their life.

Discovering your character's values as you write

On the other hand, you could start writing first and let the character tell you what they value based on their actions. For instance, let's say your strong-willed airship pilot just turned down a lucrative job because they want to be a trailblazer, not a follower. You didn't know they were going to do that! Here, your character has just demonstrated that they value Autonomy above Personal gain. Try this: Like in the above example, figure out why your character took a specific action, then translate that into a core value.

Add your answers for both exercises to your character bible for later reference.

How do you figure out your characters' motivations? Tell me!

I welcome additions to this post! If you have another method for figuring out what motivates your characters, I'd love to hear about it.

I'm going to make a few more posts about core values, including "how to keep your characters 'in-character'" and how to create conflict based on core values. They'll all be in the core values tag on my blog once they're up, and I'll edit this post with links as well.

Core Values Series

Part I: What are core values, and how do you pick them for your characters? (you are here) Part II: How can you make sure your characters stay "in character?" Part III: How to create conflict based on your characters' core values

soft prompts for couples who aren’t together yet

hugs that last a little longer than they should

immediately looking at the other after telling/doing something funny in hope to see their smile

making playlists and mood boards for the other

trying to learn about the others interests

continuously denying others who think they are together

“no we are not together!! … at least not yet…”

finding similar fictional characters who shares the other one’s MBTI and enneagram type

trying to know little things about them by observing

always giving the utmost attention to the other if they are in a crowd

associating random things with them

getting matching key rings

hanging out together often

I think a lot about how we as a culture have turned “forever” into the only acceptable definition of success.

Like… if you open a coffee shop and run it for a while and it makes you happy but then stuff gets too expensive and stressful and you want to do something else so you close it, it’s a “failed” business. If you write a book or two, then decide that you don’t actually want to keep doing that, you’re a “failed” writer. If you marry someone, and that marriage is good for a while, and then stops working and you get divorced, it’s a “failed” marriage.

The only acceptable “win condition” is “you keep doing that thing forever”. A friendship that lasts for a few years but then its time is done and you move on is considered less valuable or not a “real” friendship. A hobby that you do for a while and then are done with is a “phase” - or, alternatively, a “pity” that you don’t do that thing any more. A fandom is “dying” because people have had a lot of fun with it but are now moving on to other things.

I just think that something can be good, and also end, and that thing was still good. And it’s okay to be sad that it ended, too. But the idea that anything that ends is automatically less than this hypothetical eternal state of success… I don’t think that’s doing us any good at all.

#AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

prompts that hit in all the right places

showing up outside your enemy's door

only one bed

knife against the throat

“it’s always been you” kisses

exclaiming “because i love you” during an argument

rain kisses

''use me''

having to undress your love interest to be able to tend to their wounds, trying your best not to stare at their bare-chest

being pushed to the ground/wall with your hands pinned down

sexual tension when tending to someone's wound

“I didn’t know where else to go”

fake dating (it was real all along)

confessing your feelings to someone you think are asleep

“it’s not like I’ll ever see [that person again]” while said person's standing behind them, suitcase in hand, about to reveal they’re moving back into town

''make me''

a character claiming they’re not going to do ~the thing~ but in the next frame is seen ~doing the thing~

“nothing is ever going to happen between us!”

two strangers bumping into each other on the street, instant attraction (not love. attraction! think instant case of god you’re hot)

during a stressful situation, a character can be seen running back into their house ‘’forgot my keys’’ *runs back out* *runs back in* ‘’forgot my wallet’’

the italicized “oh”

“what is it that you don’t get? i’m not attracted to [this person]!” cut to scene of the person in question staring longing at the object of their desire

going to sleep on different sides of the bed but waking up entangled

going to sleep in different beds but sneaking into the other's to snuggle

forehead kisses but it's the male being kissed on the forehead

dancing together, one of them takes the other’s hand, kisses it

''what you're doing right now is really stupid but you're so cute i can't help but laugh at it''

''let's kiss just to see what it's like''

when someone's like… i don’t know… hurt or something… and the other person's like… tending to their wounds… and then just… wrap their lover their arms, thankful they’re alive

when a character is taken hostage by the antagonist, and their lover goes absolutely ballistic, doing everything in their power to protect their lover, and the antagonist has to restrain them, but it doesn't stop this character from trying to get to their lover, doesn’t matter what happens to them, doesn’t matter if they get beaten as long as their lover's safe

How can you make sure your characters stay "in character?" (Core Values Part II)

First, what's the difference between "in character (IC)" and "out of character (OOC)?"

When a character acts IC, every action they take will align with one or more of their core values.

If your character does something that doesn't agree with any of their values, then that character is acting OOC.

Note that sometimes their core values conflict with each other—more on that coming up in another post.

Let's establish a picture of what 'in-character' looks like. Get ready for some legwork!

1. How to support your character's values with your plot

A plot is, essentially, a series of choices and consequences. In order to define what IC even means for your character, you need to give them the opportunity to make choices that showcase their values.

Try this: When your character has to make a decision, ask yourself: What makes these options difficult for this character to choose between? What do each of the options represent about their values?

For more information on what core values are and how to choose them for your characters, see part I of this series.

2. How to prioritize your character's conflicting values

Sometimes the options are difficult to choose between because they work toward the same value but in different ways.

However, sometimes the choices are difficult because they each represent differing core values.

Over the course of their arc, your character will have to decide which of their core values takes precedence.

Try this: With every decision they make, take note of which value your character prioritizes and why. You can refer to it later for the next point.

3. How to use core values to write consistent character growth

(This part is a little long, so I'm going to put a read-more).

Character growth occurs when they make a choice that shifts their priority from one value to another.

Every turning point in a story happens because of these shifting priorities.

To illustrate my points, I'll use plot points from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (I know every other writing advice blog does it, but that's because it just works so well, darn it!).

Here are three major turning points that coincide with Save the Cat beats "Theme stated", "Catalyst" and "Debate", "Midpoint turn", and the "Finale" sub-beats "Dig Deep Down" and "Executing a New Plan".

i. The decision to do something about the inciting incident. (Also known as the Catalyst and the Debate, also also known as "changing the status quo".) Whatever value your character was prioritizing before, a different value has suddenly become more important.

This is that moment in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins when Katniss prioritizes her family's welfare ahead of her instinct to survive by volunteering in the Reaping. (Further examples to follow, spoilers etc.)

ii. The decision to stop letting the plot happen to them and to start doing something about the plot instead. (Also known as the Midpoint Turn.)

(This is when Katniss realizes Peeta actually does care about her, and she prioritizes his welfare ahead of her own instinct to survive (hmm... sensing a theme here) and her desire to defy the Capitol by hamming up their ~star-crossed romance~ for the cameras.)

iii. The decision to learn the lesson as laid out in the "Theme Stated" story beat and act accordingly. (Also known as two Finale sub-beats "Dig Deep Down" and "Executing a New Plan".)

(This is that moment when Katniss decides to stand by Peeta as they both eat the poison berries, prioritizing her defiance of the Capitol over her own survival, her family's survival, and Peeta's survival. This calls all the way back in the first chapter when Gale encouraged her to defy the Capitol by running away with him before the reaping.)

In summary, that's Katniss:

1. Prioritizing her survival and her family's welfare over defiance of the capitol by refusing to run away with Gale, maintaining the "status quo" of her life.

2. Prioritizing her sister's welfare over her own survival by volunteering in the reaping.

3. Prioritizing Peeta's survival over her defiance of the Capitol by hamming up their ~romance~ for the cameras.

4. Prioritizing defiance of the Capitol over Peeta's, her family's, and her own survival by standing with Peeta as they both (plan to) eat the poison berries.

So, even though your character's choices might (and should) evolve as the story progresses, knowing what their core values are will help you make sure those choices make sense.

This doesn't just apply to the bigger decisions they face.

Try this: When your character's core values come into conflict with each other, think about how you want their character arc to look. How do their shifting priorities match their arc? If there are any decisions they make that don't really make sense, see if you can identify which core value their decision is ultimately based on, and revise accordingly.

4. How to stay in character in between moments of growth

Along with your character's core values, there are many other factors that will affect how they think, speak, and act in their day to day life.

Try this: If you haven't already, create a character bible entry to help you keep track of the following traits for each character:

Tone of voice (humourous, dry, formal, etc.)

How they speak to someone they like

How they speak to someone they dislike

Their habits and routines (early riser, night owl, perpetually caffeinated, etc.)

Personality (reserved, outgoing, quiet but friendly, etc.)

How they face challenges (fight, flight, or freeze?)

How they act when nervous, confident, displaying bravado, afraid, upset, etc.

What embarrasses them

What makes them anxious

How they physically inhabit a space (sprawled limbs, keeping hands close to their body, etc.)

Note down any other traits that help identify your character when you write about them, such as mannerisms, 'catch phrases', etc.

(As a separate exercise, write a short blurb demonstrating each trait and/or something from your character's past that makes them think/speak/act this way.)

When revising, check over your character bible before reading through each of that character's scenes. How do they hold up? Have they changed from what you've written in your character bible? If so, does it make more sense to adjust your prose, or to adjust their entry in the character bible?

To summarize the whole post:

1. Your plot must support your character's core values by giving them an opportunity to make decisions based on said values.

2. When your character's values conflict, they will have to choose which one to prioritize.

3. Every choice to prioritize one value over the other leads to consistent character growth and development.

4. Get to know your character better by understanding the way they think, speak, and act so they stay in character in between story beats.

Core Values Series

Part I: What are core values, and how do you pick them for your characters?

Part II: How can you make sure your characters stay "in character?" (you are here)

Part III: How to create conflict based on your characters' core values

#angst

The secret to Angst

Not gonna lie, I get a weirdly large amount of people have asked me how I write angst, or more so how is my angst so good. (Soul-shattering, antagonizing, etc... You get the gist of it) anyway, I'll let you in on a little secret to soul crushing.

First things first, let's get a base line out of the way: Writing exceedingly painful angst involves a vast knowledge on how the human mind/body responds to trauma/pain as well as the will to float towards those borders of 'maybe this is going to hit a little close to home.' (Now don't be insensitive, be aware of a border and if you're willing to cross it).

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Dying is not the worst thing to happen to the dying character! It's the worst thing for the people that LOVED them. To the living! When writing about death, talk about the people who just had their heart shattered, who just had time stop in their soul. Never the dying, only carry their emotion until they die, then shift the camera angle.

Regarding the dying person: their death will have a greater impact through the eyes of their loved ones. Have them think about all they didn't do or even worse, all that they did. Who they hurt and all their regrets. Have them die NOT happily, realizing they failed. Have them reach a moment of either total serenity, they want to die because of their terrible actions or have them dying full of anger because they never got to fix their shitty selves.

When writing about one's pain, physical and mental, the rule of imagery is your BEST FRIEND. Make poetic comparisons and be super fucking flowery. Simply telling the reader won't have the same impact as if you dance on it. (Ex. His head wouldn't stop spinning, it was so bad it brought him to tears). A good alternative through inserting flowery language changes the mood entirely. (Ex. His head was lost in a tornado, separated from his body with panging tears smashing to the ground causing earthquakes beneath his feet).

Another way I write is putting together how this breakdown will pay out. Will they scream, kick and cry, or will they breakdown and shake from agony? It's different for every character and it's your job to figure out how this character would respond.

Once you know/have an idea on their response, and you REALLY want to impact a reader, change it. Is the strong leader the type to push everything down? Have them burst wide open, let them be vulnerable unable to compose themselves as they always do.

Angst is capturing people at the very worst moments of their lives. When they are at the lowest and are wishing for a better life/ending. You want all your cards to be out. Everyone can tell if someone's having a good day. But a bad day? Oh, those are much more complicated.

SAY EVERYTHING AND NOTHING. Be as vague as possible but also, give a VERY LARGE amount of detail at the same time. Write about the pain and how it's happening, but not how it's directly affecting said person.

OKAY! With those in mind. I do a lot of research and observations regarding a character and people in general. Knowing how someone would respond and how to write it is super tricky. Using the same reaction for every character will inevitably fall flat. I like to zoom out when writing, to take a step back and explain everything in a chaotic, vague manner. Give lots of imagery to explain the scene, so much that the reader can almost feel it themselves, then jump off a cliff. Leave it hanging. Explain everything to perfection but never say anything more. Let your reader be forced to bask and comprehend all of that on their own without explaining it.

Basically, DON'T GIVE CLOSURE! It sounds weird but it's true. I like to always leave the fic a bit empty, because then the reader will be too. But it's all about building up to that moment, you write and write but fall. Leave them wondering how they carried on after their loved one died. Only explain their feelings in the moment and where they went after. But explain nothing more. (Ex. Boba said goodbye to his father and his childhood that day. When he'd cried all his tears, he wiped his eyes for the last time and stood on his blistering feet).

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