When an idea comes to us for a short story, we either think of a story line first or a character first. Whichever we think of first, and later on build, we have to make sure plot and character suit each other.

Example one – We think of a story line first.

Your story is set in a rural area. A company opens a factory and employs workers from that small town. The residents welcome this, as there aren’t many jobs going around. The management takes advantage of that fact and exploit workers.

Using a technicality in system, perhaps listing them under different job titles in their books, they pay them less than they are entitled. Your main character sees this injustice and leads workers to rebel against management.

Now in a plot like this you will need your main character to posses certain qualities. Like…

Leadership To be able to lead people to rebel.

Convincing The workers are from a rural area. Some might be uneducated and not aware of their rights. The main character has to convince them that what management is doing, is wrong.

Persuader Living in a rural area, jobs are hard to find. Most of workers will view company as their saviour. Their thinking will be that receiving little money is better than none at all. The main character has to persuade them that being in a rural area company needs them as much as workers need company.

Strong Personality & Confident We need a strong character that will see things through to end. We don’t want someone giving up when things get tough. He will also need to be confident that he is doing right thing (not to make things worse for workers) and believes in himself (knowing what he’s doing is right).

Strong people skills To be able to speak and relate to people on all levels.

Negotiator To negotiate a solution with management and workers.

Public speaker skills To be able to address this mass group of workers, in a voice that is confident, persuading, authoritative etc.

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Complete a character questionnaire for each of your main characters or even secondary characters that play a vital role in your story. This way you will know your character(s) well before you start writing about them.

Fill in as much information about them as possible. Don’t only answer what you will need in your story. The objective here is to get to know your character till he becomes a ‘live’ person in your mind.

So let’s begin…

1.In a few sentences write down a summary of plot

2.Character’s personal details

a)First name b)Surname c)Age

3.In a few sentences write down character’s back story (a bit about his background)

4.The role of character in your story

a)What are character’s goals?

b)What are character’s motivations?

c)What is character’s conflict?

d)How will conflict stop character from reaching his goal?

e)What is he going to do to overcome conflict?

f)What problems will crop up during story?

g)How will those problems get worse?

h)What will character do to overcome those problems?

i)How will he resolve conflict?

j)How will your character’s background influence how he behaves in your story?

k)What is relationship with other characters, if any, in your story?

5.Physical Descriptions

a)Height b)Eye colour c)Hair colour d)Hairstyle e)Hair length f)Complexion g)Shape of face h)Body type i)Weight

6.How does his expression change when…

a.He’s with a loved one b.He’s with someone he dislikes c.He’s with his boss d.He’s with a colleague

7.Personality

a)Type? (shy, outgoing, insecure, dominant etc)

b)Distinguishable traits?

c)Mental scars? (Complexes etc)

d)Ambitions?

e)Sense of humour?

f)Fears?

g)Anxieties?

h)Phobias?

i)Overall personality?

j)How does his personality change when he’s experiencing different emotions?

k)How does he act when he feels confident?

l)How does he act when he feels inadequate?

m)What gestures does he use when he talks and thinks?

n)How does he walk? With confidence? Does he slouch or stride?

o)What mannerisms does he have? (Does he fold his arms? Does he flick his hair?)

p)How does he speak? (Clearly, mumble, confidently, drawl etc.)

q)His voice? (Rich, loud, soft, etc)