HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT CHARACTER PROFILE
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE CHARACTER PROFILE TEMPLATE: eepurl.com/dGXFiH
Welcome to episode #1 in my new series: HOW TO CREATE RELATABLE AND ADDICTIVE CHARACTERS. This week I go through the first part of my character profile template, the questionnaire! These are only the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS that you NEED to know about your characters... remember, next week we're going to dive into creating JUICY INTERNAL CONFLICT and making your characters relatable on page ONE. Subscribe so you don't miss it!!
________________________________
Subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesdays !!
✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨
❤️GET BONUS CONTENT + SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL: / abbieemmons
📚READ MY DEBUT NOVEL, 100 DAYS OF SUNLIGHT: amzn.to/2Et7fhS
📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: eepurl.com/gFYD8z
✏️VISIT MY AUTHOR WEBSITE: abbieemmonsauthor.com/
💌GET NEW VIDEOS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX: eepurl.com/bNxH9j
🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: anchor.fm/kate-and-abbie-show
💻GET SCRIVENER: a.paddle.com/v2/click/49535/1...
MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:
→ HOW TO WRITE DUAL POVS
• How to Write (and Outl...
→ SHOWING VS TELLING INTERNAL CONFLICT
• How To SHOW and Not TE...
→ HOW TO WRITE POWERFUL SIDE CHARACTERS
• WRITING POWERFUL SIDE ...
→ HOW TO WRITE THEME INTO YOUR STORY
• How to Write THEME Int...
✨F O L L O W ✨
blog: bit.ly/2Kl21m8
facebook: bit.ly/2FS2Ikh
instagram: bit.ly/2Xr5hUI
patreon: / abbieemmons
Business inquiries: abbie@abbieemmonsauthor.com
🎵WHERE I GET MY MUSIC: epidemicsound.com/
✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.
Story isn’t about “what happens” - it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel - and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!
![[Full Episode] MasterChef Junior Thailand มาสเตอร์เชฟ จูเนียร์ ประเทศไทย Season 3 Episode 4](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/e7Oqqo90x_w/mqdefault.jpg)
But I like knowing the eye color and hair color of characters!!!! :’(
It's definitely good to include this so that readers don't construct a totally different mental image! so totally do it 💛
I draw them, it helps a lot. If you want to describe their image with jusr words, you can slip it in the story.
You can still incorporate hair and eye color into the story. For instance you have a rebellious young girl who has flamming red hair that's always unbound because she doesn't really care what others think about her. Or you have the old weathered ship captain that has grey eyes as he describes the worst storm he ever went through and the reader wonders if he's still going through a storm inside, Or something like that.
I'm obessesed with eye colors. To me it's SO important, haha. It's also just part of imagery
@@anerdfrommars1566 that a bit cliche, a rebellious red head with a fiery personality, etc, is practically a trope at this point.
I need you to read audiobooks for a living. Your voice is so intense. I just know it would be great. I'd listen.
Same !! 😃
Fr
Agreed. Her voice is very emotive and appealing.
She does have a good voice. It goes from a medium tone to a deeper tone.
Madeyewlook on TH-cam has a similar voice, but even more intense. I love listening to her, as well as watching her makeup artistry.
Abbie - "What's your MBTI type?"
Me - "Villain."
did you mean ENTJ?
@@marcusc3288
Naw, that's my general.
@@marcusc3288 Or maybe ENTP, if you want ur character to be as annoying to the protagonist as possibe.
Man this video remains me of that one ticktock where it's like:
What you want: "meeting my ocs would be so lovely and wholesome"
The reality: "I BROKE these people so MUCH, the AMOUNT of loved ones I have killed! I WOULD NOT SURVIVE LEFT ALONE IN THE SAME ROOM AS MY OCS"
Bruh everyone is calling me out today-
My OCs will not hesitate to strangle me and skin me alive! I'd run for my life if I were them
Even tho most of them are forgiving they would kill me 😍
I'm kinda impressed with myself beeing able to write quite sad backstory yet barely anyone involved died
I feel attacked by this comment..
I'm binge-watching your videos like Netflix 🤣
Same!
Heh, me too
Same!!! lol
Me toooo
lol same
One thing I've learnt from a few books I've read, if you're going to describe your characters face, you have to do it early on. Otherwise, the picture you've had of that character through the whole book will suddenly be destroyed and it's a REALLY HARD to think about these characters the same way ever again. Love this video, love your channel.
This is facts
Just like watching the movie after having read a thick novel of 700 pages of the same title 😅
Yeah. They never get the details right
yeah....
I thought I was the only one who experienced this and was annoyed about it lol
Fixed it!
THE BASICS:
Character’s name:
Role in story:
Physical description:
Age:
MBTI/Enneagram Personality Type:
INTERNAL: THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR
CHARACTER What is their greatest fear?
Inner motivation:
Kryptonite:
What is their misbelief about the world?
Lesson they need to learn:
What is the best thing in their life?
What is the worst thing in their life?
What do they most often look down on people for?
What makes their heart feel alive?
What makes them feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?
Top three things they value most in life?
EXTERNAL: NOT NECESSARY, BUT GOOD TO KNOW AND SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOUR
CHARACTER
What’s their favorite book, movie, and band?
Is there an object they can’t bear to part with and why?
Describe a typical outfit for them from top to bottom.
What names or nicknames have they been called throughout their life?
What is their method of manipulation?
Describe their daily routine.
Their go-to cure for a bad day?
CHARACTER GOALS:
How is your character dissatisfied with their life?
What does your character believe will bring them true happiness or contentment?
What definitive step could they take to turn their dream into a reality?
How has their fear kept them from taking this action already?
How does your protagonist feel they can accomplish their goal while still steering clear
of the thing they are afraid of?
THE BACKSTORY SCENE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
THE SCENE WHERE…
What does your character go into the scene believing and how are they surprised by the
outcome?
How does your character struggle to hold onto their old beliefs?
What is their conclusion/new belief?
appreciated thank u!
Omg thank uuuu❤️❤️
thank you for this!! i couldn't find a way to download the template, you just saved me lmao
Ah you beautiful person, thank you for this
Sadly we cannot copy and paste thats what I hate about youtuber comments :
"What is the best thing in his/her life?"
Man, starting to get tough now.
It's easier to know the bad things, right? xD
"What is his or her favourite book, movie and band?... Not applicable if you write fantasy or something that exists in another world..." ...You seriously underestimate my overplanning when it comes to worldbuilding :p
Now _that's_ dedication.
The eye color in my story is one of the most important things to remember about the characters!!! The eye color is the color of their magical power. For example, one of the main character's eye color is an icy, baby blue. He has ice magic.
OOOH THAT'S SO COOL 😍
@YouKnowCleo J.K. Rowling gave Harry Potter green eyes in the novels. When the movies were made, Daniel Radcliffe (who played Potter) could not wear the green contacts (due to severe irritation). The movies are without that element. There are other ways to do this sort of thing, such as clothes or gemstones they carry, perhaps.
YouKnowCleo ! Eye color is actually very important for two specific characters in one of my stories, well a manga I’m making as well. The reason it’s important is because after the one character Will is forced into marrying someone in order to protect their younger sister after their love interest Lilly who had been MIA and suffering amnesia for two years interrupts the wedding they ask the person blackmailing Will what his favorite color is they state their favorite color, lilac, because that was the color theme of the wedding. Will reveals that his favorite color is actually jade green like Lilly’s eyes. In turn Lilly’s favorite color is violet like Wills eyes, which is something unique to his biological family and that is exclusive to their bloodline.
stefan didn’t they just choose their robe colors on a whim like citra made hers turquoise bc of a dream her brother had and rowen did black bc it you weren’t supposed to and he didn’t go along with the rules
That's really cool!
Character Name:
Role In Story:
Physical Description:
Age:
MBTI Personality Type:
INTERNAL:
Fear:
Believe:
Best Thing For Them:
Worst:
Turn on and off:
Passion, talent:
3 most valued things:
who makes her feel love:
Daily Routine
Rajeshwari Mehrotra ya didn’t write the answers
@@catsaretoocute5554 it is written there so we can know what questions we need to answer , this is actually very helpful.
I narrowed it down to and added
Physical description (4-5 sentences)
Age
Mbti Test
Main color/scheme
Wants?
Fears?
Dislikes?
Passions?
Top 3 Valubals?
Fav Band, Book, Movie?
Nickname?
Sex/Gender?
Sexual Orientation?
Extra physical or mental features?
I know this kind of looks weird but for the story I'm doing you kind of need to do all this stuff.
Also if you making characther group remember the rule of 3, five man band, and elite eight rule
This is so ridiculous. It's completely biased.
@@user-hq4iv9we1t uhm no
I'm starting to realize that understanding how to write a good character is very much about understanding psychology. So learning how to do this is almost like therapy for me, asking these questions about myself and how my life has shaped who I am, my preferences, everything. It's freeing in a way. Not feeling as guilty about certain things. I always knew there was a deep psychological aspect to storytelling that pulled me in, but I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. Thank you for making these videos, I'm definitely going to continue watching. I wanna write at least one awesome story
If this makes sense, I've never really questioned NOT doing character's eye colors....never questioned WHY it was always the go-to thing authors described. but you're totally right! Why not reveal personality through something else, which you can't do by eye color anyway?! Can't BELIEVE I never thought of this.
A bonus I like to add to character's: a theme song. But beware, it can be time-consuming to find THE song for your character. But it allows you later to get in this character's mindset very quickly.
That's a great idea.
Something that I like to do is, before I create a character, peg down a random MBTI type and kinda infuse that personality type into their ark, then infuse their ark into the story.
nice idea
if you want fun, silly ones that just build up your understanding of your characters. try making a vine compilation for them, or find some of those "incorrect quote" things/imagine your OTP things and assign them to your characters. these of course are just for fun. but another really fun one I found recently, assign your characters Daemons. like if their world were similar to that of the dark materials series, or they themselves lived in that world, what would their Daemon take form as and why (you can also give the Daemon a name if you want, for fun.)
Hogwart house sorting your characters is also very fun. maybe even what their godly parent would be if they were a demigod in the Percy Jackson universe.
basically play fandom with your characters and make a bunch of useless au's for them. cause its fun!
You sir, need a medal for your words.
I do that
I love making pointless AUs for my characters, but unless it's something like a Hogwarts AU then someone ends up dying- (My biggest body count so far is the entire population of Earth apart from two people)
"We don't need to know your character's favorite brand of laundry detergent"
Idk why I found that so hilarious
YEEEESSSSSS! I needed a questionnaire that didn't have meaningless questions. Thanks, Abbiee! ❤️😀
I'm so happy you liked this video and the questionnaire, Jenna!! 😊💛 thank you for watching!
Xocusifi
So ready for this series!! 😱 It’s crazy because I’ve literally just been working on character descriptions in my book and BOOM your video is in my feed. Also, I’m glad someone else thinks some of those random questions are kind of stupid. I understand it helps understand your characters better, but they’ll just never be used! Thank you for sharing :)
oh my gosh that is great timing Mel! I'm so happy you enjoyed this video and found it helpful!! 💛✨ YES I TOTALLY FEEL YA ABOUT THE STUPID MEANINGLESS QUESTIONS. 😂 it's such a waste of time omg. Thank you for watching!
Mel, were you writing 'Leaving Wishville' at the time?
First off, your background is GORGEOUS! You hit the nail on what I need to do. It wasn't long enough where I have to stop for a bathroom run. Straight to the point with LOADED information! Thank you!
I've watched this video over and over and Over ALL DAY just so I can figure out how I ant my characters' personalities to be and make sure they have conflicts that are interesting and make sure the audience has lot to chew on and theories without blatantly being told the answers
This is the first time I've ever written a story... I've made fan fictions but nothing...nothing that has involved..ALL OF THIS
Thank you for this, Abbie! I'm starting my novel over from scratch and I'm currently working on characters, so this is much appreciated! Always love your videos! (:
I'm so glad you liked this video and found it helpful, Alexis!! 💛 thank you for watching! 😊
I'd honestly say describing the eyes has a fair bit of importance. The eyes are the "windows to the soul", that's why they're so huge in animation, too. When I read a book, one of the first things I try to visualize in a character is their face, starting with the eyes. Knowing something as mundane as what a character's eye color is honestly helps me imagine the character in my mind a lot easier. Plus, you can definitely tell stuff about the character through the description of their eyes. Are the eyes tired, lively, bright, glazed over, etc.?
Oh, breaking characters is my favourite thing, I can't wait to get to that part in writing my novel!
It seems to me the thing that matters here is how the characters make decisions. Character change is expressed in the characters' decisions (especially in difficult circumstances, of course). So the character profile should include a list of scenarios and "what would the character do?"
You see a message from a damsel in distress but you are needed on the farm. An obnoxious old lady wants to kill your dog. Your dead business partner shows you he wears the chains he forged in life. Your beloved baby brother has been captured by a great disembodied brain. You have an opportunity to fly away to a land where you never have to grow up. What do you do?
Eye color is important. We see people's eyes ALL the time. Thank you so much for this.
creating characters is my favourite part about being a writer. i feel like a god.
I filled this out and now the story I have been working on for 18 months is insanely personal. Thank you Abbie!!
This is such a gem!!!! Ive been struggling with good characters for years!!!
CAN I JUST SAY, I just researched MBTI types, identified my MC's type, and am already feeling more confident in knowing who she really is. It's weird, I keep reading "if you do this if you're ESTP", and I'm thinking, "YES my character does this!" and I kind of didn't even know it before. It just fits lol. This is for sure going to help me continue to develop her and other characters!!
Thank you! This helped me so much! I just started with a new novel idea revolving around Greek mythology (specifically Aphrodite) and this made me understand the characters more. Thank you once again Abbie!
In my story eyes actually matter so much, they're almost the only way to tell different magical species apart :)
This was so incredibly useful. I often tick most of these boxes on the surface level but this structuring of character building seems to really make sure I keep it consistent! Really cool! Great channel
I'm currently binging all of your videos and-woah-are they a treat! These are so incredibly helpful in countless ways. Thank you, thank you and thank you again for such amazing content and the top-notch advice!
MBTI type sounds like a good idea because it says a lot about how they will react in different situations.
OH MY GOODNESS! This helped me so much, thank you. Honestly, I don't know how I would write my character without this. For anyone who knows what D&D is, it really helps if you make a D&D character, and then base your character in your story around that one.
I was able to fill out some questions for my main character while watching this! I’m so glad that I learned how much I never really shaped my characters so I can do that now and improve them so my story can be awesome.
Searched 'character development' and I was thinking, 'where's my girl?'
You've given the best advice (that's advanced my writing) and I trust you as much as one writer should trust another. :) Thanks for the help and awesome content.
Thank you. I am so happy to fine you on TH-cam. Keep the output coming.
OMG i paused your video to do the personality test for a character ive been struggling with and it was so so so so so helpful, thank you so much. Youre my new writing buddy.
am i the only one who makes my character exactly like me, physical, and personality wise and i just make them do what i would do- sjsjsks
You could make a character similar to you ( it might be easier to write that type of character) but not every character in the book has to be like you.
Lol XD
( Also, I know what you meant but I just wanted to make this comment )
Yeah. When I think what other type of people would do in the same context, it just doesn't make sense. I think my worldview is biased.
yep I write just to live out my Mary Sue fantasies
i did this as you went over the questions and now i have a two page long character profile thank you!!
Thank you for the character profile template. It really helps a lot!😍
Love your videos!
i'm not a fam of mbti but i use it for my characters too because it's so helpful!! it really is!! it helps to remind me how a character would make a decision and that decision making is literally makes the story most times
Starting to write a book, and your video has helped the most in creating my characters! Keep doing what you're doing and stay funny!
THIS IS GOLD!!!! Thank you so much!
Abbie, love your videos. So insightful and done with real approachability and humour. Rock on!
I had so many OH! moments watching this and doing the questionnaire, thanks!
Also this channel is underrated. I think it will grow a lot in the future. Remember I was part of the first 35k
Also I've been binging this channel all day and jotting notes down in docs. I'm so happy I stumbled across it by accident.
Thank you so much for being here!!
Thank you, this was so helpful! I have made like a hundred character profiles before, but there are a lot of things here that I never even thought of!
I absolutely love your bookshelf.... Its beautiful!!
Just what I need love these!!! Gotta find the right one for me ❤️
the template was so good and very helpful for detailing my characters. thanks so much for doing these videos!
yessss, I've been waiting for this one
I hope you enjoyed it, Sarah! 😊
THIS IS AMAZING omggg thank you for this x
You're amazing! Thinking of writing my first book! Ahhhhhh
Omg!!! I just feel like listening to u for the whole day coz I recently got interest in these topics...though I had them in mind before. Ur every sentence is so meaningful and valuable...I just love it. ❤ thanks for all this 😄😄👍🏻
Gosh, I love this channel SO MUCH!!!
I smile the whole time I watch your videos.
Aww wow girl!! This was so amazing! Thank you so much for a practical character questionnaire. Really, I was doubtful when you said it would be the perfect one, but you were SO right. It's short, yet includes the really important stuff you need. :) Thanks again!
I'm so glad you found this helpful, Liv!! It's seriously so hard to find practical questions for your characters that actually draw out the information you need to know. I'm so glad you liked this video! 💛✨ Thank you for watching!
Your videos are honestly so helpful
I love your videos, Abbie! Learning sooo much with your awesome insights.
I teach a creative writing class at my high school and this has been very useful you have my thanks and appreciation. I also shared your channel with the other ELA teachers at my school .
Thanks Abbie, this is extremely helpful-!
OMG your question sheet was sooooooooo helpful
Wow, I just love your videos - they’re so informative and amazing - I’m applying them. Thank you so much 😊
I love how your videos are helpful but also make me laugh. Like when you said something about making the readers cry and had that evil look on your face I was just 😂😂😂
More than just impressive. Bravo!
This helped SOOOOOO MUCH
This template is so helpful. I was so excited when I saw the enneagram question because I have been getting so obsessed with enneagram results and if you know how it all works and what numbers and wings mean - you can add so much more depth to your characters and they way they interact with each other.
I'm writing a crossover fanfic and only when looking closely at all tge characters did I realise that half the Guild Hunter characters have green eyes.
Thank you for this sooo much it help A LOT!
OMG..YOU ARE FUNNY! Good to have someone to laugh with while I'm racking my brain! Thank You.
Yours style is amazing
Thank you! So helpful💙
This was such an awesome helpful video!! I've seen the other characters question sheets but they have like 75 useless questions that I don't know the answers to! This was so much fun AND understandable, thank you so much!!
Literally this is the best writing advice I have ever gotten!!!!!!! I am binging your vids like crazzyyy. You deserve so many more subs then you have, I literally am following all your steps for my novel!
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
@@AbbieEmmons please fill the questioners as a reference to follow and not make mistakes
Thank you for this video! This was very helpful I am currently trying to write a story and this video help me to get to know my characters frears and all that so thank you for your time in making this video.
I love your energy :D
I liked that intro coach. You're pretty intense in this video. You must have been feelin' it on this day.
Haha! Characters name, "Something I can pronounce please!" YES! This is a gripe I have with MANY authors character names. lol!
Thank you for this video I really enjoyed it and it really helped me understand how to make a good character basis❤
So I take my characters descriptions very seriously. Some of the questions on your list I hadn't thought of, so I'll add them to my probably near fifty other questions. I know that's not necessary... But I can't resist the temptation of knowing everything I can think of about my characters. Yes, that does include there favorite washing detergent.
this stuff is awesome, tremendously helpful, thanks a lot
Thanks for changing my life
!!!! THANKS FOR BEING HERE!! ❤️✨
i wonder how much times im going to re-watch all these videos :D
She has got me thinking critically about my character which is great bcuz character hook the readers not the plot
Hard out about the eyes!!!! Totally, totally. I did not expect this to be so good? But wow. Yeah. Great job on this questionnaire.
Thank you for another amazing, informative and entertaining post, Abbie! :D And for the template, I literally cannot wait to get started on fleshing out my characters now :)
Were you able to download the template? For some reason all I can do is to subscribe to her mailing list (which I already have) but I don't get the template...
This is awesome, Abbie! I am trying a bit of a different approach for striking up a story idea. Before anything else, I'm designing my characters. We'll see how it works. I just couldn't think of any ideas, or I did but then I couldn't fit my character ideas into the box I had already created.
Super useful and very detailed. Thanks 👍🏽😌
The mtbi, is so useful. It allows me to make characters hate certain things about each other. And what each person may pride themself on.
Knowing their attachment style is super important
Every time I fill out a character bio, I re watch this video, so I have it completely memorized.
THE BASICS:
Character’s name:
Role in story:
Physical description:
Age:
MBTI/Enneagram Personality Type:
INTERNAL: THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER
What is his/her greatest fear?
Inner motivation:
Kryptonite:
What is his/her misbelief about the world? Lesson he/she needs to learn:
What is the best thing in his/her life?
What is the worst thing in his/her life?
What does he/she most often look down on people for?
What makes his/her heart feel alive?
What makes him/her feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?
Top three things he/she values most in life?
EXTERNAL: NOT NECESSARY, BUT GOOD TO KNOW AND SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER
What’s his/her favorite book, movie, and band?
Is there an object he/she can’t bear to part with and why?
Describe a typical outfit for him/her from top to bottom.
What names or nicknames has he/she been called throughout their life? What is his/her method of manipulation?
Describe his/her daily routine.
Their go-to cure for a bad day?
CHARACTER GOALS:
How is your character dissatisfied with their life?
What does your character believe will bring them true happiness or contentment?
What definitive step could they take to turn their dream into a reality?
How has their fear kept them from taking this action already?
How does your protagonist feel they can accomplish their goal while still steering clear of the thing they are afraid of?
THE BACKSTORY SCENE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
THE SCENE WHERE...
What does your character go into the scene believing and how are they surprised by the outcome?
How does your character struggle to hold onto their old beliefs?
What is their conclusion/new belief?
Thank you so much for this.
everyone's on here commenting about character traits and I'm squinting at your bookcase trying to figure out what books you have :) I get so distracted when people record their bookcases. I recognize quite a few covers, though, which is always exciting! I'm now off to trawl your channel for a video where you show us your books up close and give recommendations. If you haven't done that yet, I would love to see it! (also, the video was excellent, thank you for sharing. that probably should have come first, but - books! ooh, shiny)
,, ... character folder may be in your Scrivener ... ,, haha love this girl 😀😀😀
To anyone who draws ocs i really enjoy doing it this way but put your ocs and questions all on separate small peices of paper and then make like a little pocket on one side of a sketchbook page.Put your charecters in there and then draw your charecters on the separate page all together see how well they fit it really helps
Great job!
I came up with nicknames before character names. I used a genre of character names that I think will work well. just subbed need to know more about character stories. Thanks for the great videos