Post by evanmcbain on Jan 8, 2006 1:38:52 GMT -5
This is taken from "The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life" by Noah Lukeman. It's a a perfect way to make sure you've got a balanced character.
For each trait you'll rate your character from a scale of 1-10 for both the negative and postive trait. For example, if your character is a 10 on jealous and covetous, they would be a 0 on wish everyone the best. If they are 4 on cheap, they would be 6 on generous.
When you finish, add up the negative side and positive side.
::::::NEGATIVE::::::::::::::::::::::::::POSITIVE:::::::
Jealous/Covetous____________Wishes everyone the best
Cheap_____________________Generous
Spiteful/Vindictive___________Forgiving
Stubborn___________________Pliable
Suspicious/Paranoid__________Trusting
Controlling__________________Easygoing
Dominating/Bully_____________Defender of the weak
Meek______________________Confidant
Insecure/Easily dominated_____Secure
Low Self-Esteem_____________High Self-Esteem
Critical_____________________Supportive
Competitive_________________Wants what's best for all
Make fun of people___________Praises other
An egoist/vain_______________Humble
Self-centered_______________Always thinking of others
Talks over people____________A listener
Opinionated_________________Open-minded
Impractical__________________Practical
Unmotivated_________________Motivated
Unorganized_________________Organized
A follower___________________A leader
Directionless_________________Sense of direction
Undisciplined_________________Disciplined
Indulgent/Wasteful____________Conserver
Harsh/Caustic________________Kind
Impatient____________________Tolerant
Coward______________________Brave
Unproductive_________________Productive
Small goals___________________Ambitious
Afraid to take risks_____________Risk taker
Immature_____________________Mature
Overly serious_________________Lighthearted
Morbid, a downer_______________Funny
Unhappy______________________Happy
Complainer____________________Content
Pessimist______________________Optimist
Worrier/Uptight_________________Relaxed
Indifferent_____________________Passionate
Overly emotional
or excitable____________________Even-tempered
Temper________________________Calm
Violent_________________________Peaceful
Argumentative/
Confrontational__________________Mediator
Shallow_________________________Profound
Gossiper/Slanderer________________Speaks well of others
Cynic___________________________Idealist
A talker_________________________A doer
Manipulative/Schemer_____________Straightforward
Liar/Dishonest____________________Honest/Principled
A taker/A user____________________A giver/A lender
Inconsiderate_____________________Considerate
Terse/Monosyllabic_________________Good communicator
Low energy/Drags you down__________High energy/Full of pep
Moody____________________________Consistent
Defeating__________________________Inspiring
Make others uneasy_________________Calming effect
Inspires guilt_______________________Uplifts
Now, add up the two sides and answer the following questions:
1) Is the number higher on the negative or positive side?
2) By how much?
3) Which traits have the highest numbers?
4) What has this taught you about your character?
For each trait you'll rate your character from a scale of 1-10 for both the negative and postive trait. For example, if your character is a 10 on jealous and covetous, they would be a 0 on wish everyone the best. If they are 4 on cheap, they would be 6 on generous.
When you finish, add up the negative side and positive side.
::::::NEGATIVE::::::::::::::::::::::::::POSITIVE:::::::
Jealous/Covetous____________Wishes everyone the best
Cheap_____________________Generous
Spiteful/Vindictive___________Forgiving
Stubborn___________________Pliable
Suspicious/Paranoid__________Trusting
Controlling__________________Easygoing
Dominating/Bully_____________Defender of the weak
Meek______________________Confidant
Insecure/Easily dominated_____Secure
Low Self-Esteem_____________High Self-Esteem
Critical_____________________Supportive
Competitive_________________Wants what's best for all
Make fun of people___________Praises other
An egoist/vain_______________Humble
Self-centered_______________Always thinking of others
Talks over people____________A listener
Opinionated_________________Open-minded
Impractical__________________Practical
Unmotivated_________________Motivated
Unorganized_________________Organized
A follower___________________A leader
Directionless_________________Sense of direction
Undisciplined_________________Disciplined
Indulgent/Wasteful____________Conserver
Harsh/Caustic________________Kind
Impatient____________________Tolerant
Coward______________________Brave
Unproductive_________________Productive
Small goals___________________Ambitious
Afraid to take risks_____________Risk taker
Immature_____________________Mature
Overly serious_________________Lighthearted
Morbid, a downer_______________Funny
Unhappy______________________Happy
Complainer____________________Content
Pessimist______________________Optimist
Worrier/Uptight_________________Relaxed
Indifferent_____________________Passionate
Overly emotional
or excitable____________________Even-tempered
Temper________________________Calm
Violent_________________________Peaceful
Argumentative/
Confrontational__________________Mediator
Shallow_________________________Profound
Gossiper/Slanderer________________Speaks well of others
Cynic___________________________Idealist
A talker_________________________A doer
Manipulative/Schemer_____________Straightforward
Liar/Dishonest____________________Honest/Principled
A taker/A user____________________A giver/A lender
Inconsiderate_____________________Considerate
Terse/Monosyllabic_________________Good communicator
Low energy/Drags you down__________High energy/Full of pep
Moody____________________________Consistent
Defeating__________________________Inspiring
Make others uneasy_________________Calming effect
Inspires guilt_______________________Uplifts
Now, add up the two sides and answer the following questions:
1) Is the number higher on the negative or positive side?
2) By how much?
3) Which traits have the highest numbers?
4) What has this taught you about your character?