Calculating A Balanced Character
Oct 1, 2012 16:04:36 GMT -5
Post by Dominique Falcone on Oct 1, 2012 16:04:36 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___________________Even-tempered
Temper___________________________________Calm
Violent_________________________________Peaceful
Argumentative__________________________Mediator
Shallow________________________________Profound
Gossiper______________________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
Monosyllabic____________________Good communicator
Low energy__________________________High energy
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___________________Even-tempered
Temper___________________________________Calm
Violent_________________________________Peaceful
Argumentative__________________________Mediator
Shallow________________________________Profound
Gossiper______________________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
Monosyllabic____________________Good communicator
Low energy__________________________High energy
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?