When I was in the brainstorming stage for It Starts With Me, I found a "Character Outline" page that gave ideas on what things to think about to deeply develop your characters. I felt like maybe there were others out there that were looking for something to help them along, so the list at the bottom of the page is what I had used to create a more "solid" background for my characters.
Now that that's out of the way, I wanted to create something along the lines of a "Wiki Bio" for each of the characters of It Starts With Me.
As a reader first and foremost, I think of the odd, yet interesting, things that I would like for my favorite books. With that in mind, I decided to share the early development of my characters with you!
Notice how I try to keep their descriptions to a minimum. For me, when I read, I know that I picture characters however the hell I want to, and sometimes I picture myself as the main protagonist. Therefore, I wanted to keep it light for everyone out there who does the same thing as me! They'd be beautiful no matter how you describe them!
This one is for early Amity!
Name: Amity "M" Thorne
Age/Birthday:19 (going on 20), November 8th.
General Physical Description: Unassuming, plain, grey eyes, dark hair.
Hometown: Burns, Oregon
Relationship Status: There's no time for that
Current Family: Sergeant "Sarge" Thorne (dog), Emma "Little M" Thorne (sister), Mark Thorne (father)
Friends/Other Close Relationships: Nonexistent since the death of her mother
Favorite Pass-Times/Hobbies: Writing
Ambitions: Get through another day (previously it was to become a writer)
Philosophy of Life: End things before they end you
Next!
Name: Emma "Little M" Thorne
Age/Birthday: 8 (about to be 9), September 23rd.
General Physical Description: Golden hair, bright blue eyes, "perfect"
Hometown: Burns, Oregon
Current Family: Sergeant "Sarge" Thorne, Amity "M" Thorne, Mark Thorne
Friends/Other Close Relationships: Never really had the chance
Favorite Pass-Times/Hobbies: Playing with Sarge, hanging with Amity
On to the next one!
Name: Lucas "Luke" Warin
Age/Birthday: Freshly 26, April 14th
General Physical Description: Defined, attractive, slanted nose, hazel eyes.
Hometown: Parker, Arizona
Relationship Status: Feelings are scary sometimes
Current Family: Lily Warin (sister), Janet Warin (stepmother), Paul Warin (father)
Friends/Other Close Relationships: People in the A.L.F.
Favorite Pass-Times/Hobbies: Hunting
Temper: Short fuse, volatile
Ambitions: Reunite with family (previously it was to be the top of the Force)
Philosophy of Life: Walk towards Death and come out holding it by the neck
Who's next?
Name: Mason Baines
Age/Birthday: 23, March 13th
General Physical Description: Deep blue pools, shaggy blonde hair
Hometown: Carson City, Nevada
Type of Home/Neighborhood: Tight knit, religious
Relationship Status: Lost puppy much?
Current Family: Abigail "Abby" Baines (sister), Jason Baines (father), Norma Baines (mother)
Family Background: Politician, rich, well-known
Friends/Other Close Relationships: Zachary "Zach" Tyson (friend)
Religion/Attitude Towards It: Lost/Currently on a break
Ambitions: Be the perfect son
Philosophy of Life: Always do the right thing
And then?
Name: Abigail "Abby" Baines
Age/Birthday: Freshly 19, February 6th
General Physical Description: Icy blue eyes, blonde ringlet curls, sickly
Hometown: Carson City, Nevada
Relationship Status: Secretly? Not-so-secretly pining for a certain rogue A.L.F. officer
Current Family: Mason Baines (brother), Jason Baines (father), Norma Baines (mother)
Friends/Other Close Relationships: Elise "Lacy" Barnett
Religion/Attitude Towards It: Very religious/believes it is her saving grace
Favorite Pass-times/Hobbies: Fantasizing
Ambitions: Happily ever after
Philosophy of Life: God will lead the way
Second to last!
Name: Elise "Lacy" Barnett
Age/Birthday: 21, August 21st
General Physical Description: Plump, bold, black short bob
Hometown: Lakeview, Oregon
Type of Home/Neighborhood: Single parent household; supportive mother
Current Family: Trina Barnett (mother)
Friends/Other Close Relationships: Abby Baines (friend), Zach Tyson (friend), Mason Baines (friend)
Ambitions: Live life to the fullest, without fear
Philosophy of Life: Be your most passionate, creative, honest self
Last but not least!
Name: Zachary "Zach" Tyson
Age/Birthday: 24, October 29th
General Physical Description: Brooding, hooded gaze, buzz cut, tattoos
Hometown: Bridgeport, California
Type of Home/Neighborhood: Abusive
Relationship Status: In a relationship with a girl named Sonya
Current Family: Sonya and the runaways, he's disowned his father
Family Background: Both him and his mother were abused by his father, then when his mother died, he got the brunt of the abuse
Friends/Other Close Relationships: The runaways, but he'll keep it hidden
Favorite Sports: Baseball
Ambitions: Never end up like his father
Philosophy of Life: Everyone has a past self, but that doesn't mean they have to pollute the present
Well there you have it!
Hope you enjoyed the short little bios of the characters from It Starts With Me!
The outline:
Name:
Age:
General Physical Description:
Hometown:
Type of Home/Neighborhood:
Relationship Status:
Current Family:
Family Background:
Friends:
Other Close Relationships:
Relationship with Men:
Relationship with Women:
Job:
Dress Style:
Religion:
Attitude Towards Religion:
Favorite Pass-times:
Hobbies:
Favorite Sports:
Favorite Foods:
Strong Positive Personality Trait:
Strong Negative Personality Trait:
Sense of Humor:
Temper:
Consideration for Others:
How Other People See Him/Her:
Opinion of His/Her Self:
Other Traits (Especially Those Brought Out in the Story):
Ambitions:
Philosophy of Life:
Most Important Thing About Him/Her:
Will Readers Like or Dislike?:
