Character Development-- The Yeses and Nos

1: Basics

There are 5 basics to making a character.

Name

Gender

Species (In case of nonhuman characters)

Appearance

Personality

or NGSAP (pronounced nnnguhsap)

I'm not perfect at them, but let me give you some pointers.

NAME:

For humans, you could use popular names or names you like from the period of time. (i.e. for present Emily, for medieval perhaps Elizebeth, or Ancient Roman times Augustus.)

For wild animals, try something nature related or a color.

For warriors (the book by Erin Hunter), try nature or an adjective followed by a cool verb or adverb. (i.e. Stream + run)

GENDER:

This one's easy. Male, female, intersex, etc.

You should have aim for realistic amounts of genders. You don't necessarily have to have any one transgender, but it is a neat option and definitely more realistic. (sorry if offensive somehow?)

SPECIES:

Again, easy. Most of the time it'll be a human or human like creature, sometimes a cat or dog (or a big cat or wolf), and occasionally something else.

APPEARANCE:

Okay, simple. Tall or short? Long or short hair? What color hair? What color eye? Big or small nose? What do they usually wear? Etc.

PERSONALITY:

This one is by far the hardest. I still struggle with this one.

Start with their flaws. I find it a good way to make sure they have some.

Things that seem like flaws, but really aren't

-being clumsy (in a cute way)

-being a yandere (too major for just a flaw)

-probably more

Things that some people may think of as flaws and others may not

-OCD

-depression

-probably more

Things I consider flaws and are easy to add to a character

-fears. fears e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

-probably more

Now, go with strange little perks. Maybe your character is very immature, or always says um a lot.

NOW, you can do the rest. Is your character brave or cowardly? Strong or weak? 'Popular' or 'nerdy'? Mean or nice? Remember that villains aren't aren't good people, thus, they shouldn't be brave, strong, popular, and nice. They can be brave and strong, but unless they aren't a known villain they aren't popular, and they most certainly should not be nice.

Perhaps, if the villain tends to act two different ways, than two different personalities would be called for.