Book in a Month Pt 7: Creating Character Bios

Characters have always been a little more difficult for me. If anyone had suggestions on developping characters let me know! I always struggle with coming up with answers and backgrounds for them. Some people interview their characters or write a diary entry from the point of view of their character. What great ideas!! I made a short character bio for each of the main characters. Here is what I have come up with so far.

I used 45 Master Characters by Victora Lynn Schmidt to figure out the archetypes for my characters. It is a great resource!

Kora Valdez

Main Character

Personal Inspiration: my teenage self, and a mix of several friends

Archetype: maiden

She goes through a rite of passage, she will be forced to stand on her own two feet

She cares about her relationship with her mother, who is now deceased

She never felt close to her father but now she has to move to Seattle to live with him

She enjoys adventure, fun, freedom, being unique

She’s a good listener, tries to help others

Loves: reading, art, swimming

She needs to find her inner voice, and inner strength

Fears: being in the spotlight, being noticed, people

Making decisions, losing a friend, being controlled

Appearance:

Average build and height, a little on the thin side

Long black hair

Slightly crooked teeth

Aquiline nose

Brown eyes

Style:

She doesn't have much of one , until she meets Michelle

Sebastian Chevalier:

Love Interest

Personal Inspiration: a mix of several friends
Archetype: a woman’s man/ knight

Very down to earth,

Athletic, he plays football at the high school

Outgoing, fun, a charmer

He is close to his mother, and looks up to his father as a role model

He loves animals/pets

A very honorable soul
He feels pressured by parents etc, to conform

Loves: I am not sure yet - but it isn't football, (maybe music, or photography?)

Fears: Letting his parents down, letting his friends down, being himself

Apperance:

Athletic build

Tall heigh

shaggy, dirty blond hair

blue eyes

sturdy jaw

broad hands

Style:

Loose tshirts with jeans

Shorts, athletic shoes

Michelle:
Kora’s Friend
Personal Inspiration: a mix of several friends
Archetype: Artemis
She is a champion of women and children
She is athletic
She doesn’t care much for classes, but loves the swim team

She wants to be a counselor/coach someday

She doesn’t care for popularity or power over others

She wants to live and let live

She passionately gets behind her causes, and hates injustice

Loves: Nature, her dog

Fears: never wants to be a victim, losing a good friend, guys

Appearance:

Auburn/red hair

Freckles

Fair skin

More voluptuous build

Style:

She has her own unique style

Fashionable in a classic way

Modest, not too revealing

Brittney:
Antagonist
Personal Inspiration: a little bit Brittney Spears, a little bit Taylor Vaughn
Archetype: The troubled teen
The drama queen

She is the girl every girl wants to be like
She has the nicest clothes, the perfect body

She gets everything she wants
And no one better stand in her way
Loves: buying things, getting attention, getting the best
Fears: public embarrassment, rejection, losing

Appearance:

Dyed blonde hair, fashionably styled

Make up

Model figure

Style:

The latest fashion trends

Slinky attention-getting outfits

Other Characters:

Vivien

Antagonist from rival swim team

Jack Valdez/Dad

Pearl/Kora’ Mom

Mr. Gerard McDermon

Teacher

Kathryn and Douglas Chevalier

Sebastian’s Mom and Dad

Elizabeth/Liz:

Swim team captain

Do you use character bios? What techniques do you use when developing characters?