Character Exercise #2: Isaak and Dominik

Exercise:
Write a scene that shows a relationship between two characters.

Character Profile #5: Isaak Fisher

1.What is your character’s full name? Isaak Fisher

2.  Nickname?  Do they like their nickname? None.

3.  How old are they? 20

4.  Date of birth? 3rd September.

5.  Place of birth? London, England.

6.  Male or female? Male

7.  Ethnic background? Caucasian – German.

8. Lives with? Dominik Fisher.

9.  Brothers or sisters?  How many?  Their ages?  Does this character have a favorite?  Does he or she dislike someone in the family? One brother, Dominik, who’s also 20. Doesn’t dislike anyone in his family.

10.  Any pets? A fish named Eric.

11.  Does this character like animals? Yep.

12.  What is their favorite animal?  Why? Dogs, because they’re so friendly. Cats are cool too.

13.  Any hobbies? Music, singing, running, playing bass, going to the pub.

14.  Does this character have a job?  What is it? Yes, he works the desk at a tattoo shop.

15.  Would like to be a_____? Rockstar.

16.  What is their religion?  Who they follow it?  Do they go to church?  Are there any religious conflicts in the family? Atheist, from agnostic and Easter & Christmas Christian family.

17.  Education level?   Likes or liked school? Finished College, didn’t go further. Didn’t mind it, found it a chance to socialize.

18.  Any bad habits? Many bad habits, smoking being the major one.

19.  What is this character afraid of?  Dentists, drowning and planes.

20.  Why is your character afraid of what you just listed?  What does that fear stop them from doing? There’s no particular reason behind being scared of dentists and drowning, and they just stop him from a) going swimming and b) going to the dentists. He’s scared of planes because of all the horror stories of their crashes. It stops him traveling pointlessly.

21.  Do they have a boyfriend or girlfriend?  Is this person their first? Not currently, no, but has in the past.

22.  What food do they like to eat?  What foods do they hate?  Do they eat anything weird?  What is their favorite meal? Pizza and spaghetti. Hates pork and mushrooms. Enjoys eating mash potato with salad cream and Branston pickle.

23.  What do they like to drink?  Coffee or Fanta. Vodka if he’s out.

24.  Who is their best friend? His best friend is his brother, Dom.

25.  Is this character shy?  Outgoing?  Studious?  Athletic?   Talkative?  Boy crazy?  Girl crazy?  Jokester?  Clumsy?  Bragger?  Cheapskate?  Stingy?  Greedy?  Jealous?  Innocent?  Gullible? Very outgoing and friendly, can be a bit selfish.

My Favorite Writing Blogs.

I read a lot of writing blogs. It’s a good form of procrastination, in my opinion, because in turn it teaches me new things. Plenty of them have amazing tips, so I’ve gathered some of my favorites, and stuck them here 🙂

Men With Pens.

Jessie’s Writing.

Fuel Your Writing.

Flights Of Fantasy.

Write A Better Novel.

Fiction Writer’s Journey.

 

Exercise #1 – Isaak.

Nabbed from: http://menwithpens.ca/how-to-create-a-character

Write out a full conversation between yourself and this character. Pretend you’re stuck in an elevator together and have nothing else to talk about but one another.

See what kind of humor develops, how quickly this person trusts you with new information, the way her mind works in a time of minor stress, what she’s worried about, who she’s concerned about knowing.

Don’t assume that all people react the same way, and don’t assume your character spills everything about herself at the drop of a hat. The point isn’t to get the entire character history on paper; the point is to see what other people see when they meet this person on the page.

On Naming Your Story.

Rush. Radio Hysteria. Alcohol Rock and Roll. I find potential titles in everything. Rush, Radio Hysteria and Alcohol Rock And Roll (a set of short stories I’ve written) are all inspired by music. However, I usually get a flood of potential titles and then I’m stuck between choosing which to use, and which to store away for the future.

This is my problem with Rush and Radio Hysteria. People seem to prefer Radio Hysteria. I’m growing to prefer Rush, as it’s short and snappy. However, I really like Radio Hysteria and want to use it somewhere. Do I use it as a tagline? ‘Rush: This is Radio Hysteria’, do I use it as the band title? Hollywood After Midnight doesn’t quite set the same tone.

I tried pro’s and cons. Rush is short, snappy, sweet. It sort of alludes to plenty of things that could play a part in a bands life. Adrenaline rush, drug rush, the fast pace of their lives. However, it’s more of a band name to me. And there’s already a band called Rush, so there goes that one. Radio Hysteria is not as short, snappy, sweet. It’s a bit…dragging in my mind. It could be their band name, but I don’t know if it suits them so well.

The titlescorer (here) says Rush is the better choice…but what do I do with Radio Hysteria?

So. Blah. Naming your story is hard. How do you do it?

Character Profile #4: Valerie Mitchell

Character Name: Valerie Mitchell

Theme song (each character from Rush/Radio Hysteria will have one, as the story is based around music): Augustine ~ Patrick Wolf

• Main character
• Protagonist/supporter

Gender: Female
Age:20
Height:5′6”
Weight: 8st
Hair: Platinum blonde.

Eyes: Green
Distinguishing Marks: Septum piercing, stretched lobes, cheek piercings, scar between eyebrows, mole under left eye. Many visible tattoos.
Distinguishing Mannerisms: Scratches neck a lot, twirls hair round fingers.
Describe the character’s appearance in a brief paragraph:
Valerie has medium length blonde hair, which she usually keeps up in a retro/rockabilly style, or in a messy bun. She has three piercings, two in her each cheek and one in her septum. Her ear lobes are stretched, but not hugely and she usually has cute tunnels in. She has tattoos up both arms, over her hands and knuckles, over her chest and one on each foot. They are all brightly coloured in old school style. She usually wears shorts or a skirt, a band tee and a blazer with long, thigh high socks and incredibly high heels. She has a penchant for hats of all kinds. She loves wearing accessories, and wears bright makeup.
What would you find in her pockets?: A compact mirror and her phone. Her handbag is a scary, never ending pit.
Personal Reference:

Briefly describe the character’s personality. How does (s)he react to stress, friendships, lovers, job, etc.?

Valerie’s outer, more confident and colourful appearance is at odds with her personality. She’s very anxious and quiet, and has little confidence in herself. She works in a small, independently owned cafe where the owner doesn’t mind how she looks, just so long as her clothes meet dress code. She doesn’t mind it, though she’s a bit wary about having to talk to strangers every day. When angry or stressed, she will retreat into herself and try and get as far away from people as possible. If not possible, she merely listens to her ipod and closes her eyes to block out everywhere. She talks very little. With lovers, she is very romantic, and expects them to be the same. She loves baths, especially ones with bubbles.
Briefly describe the character’s history. What’s happened in (s)he’s life?

Valerie was raised by a single mother, and unlike her bandmates, was not very close to the rest of her family. She loves her mother, who tried her best to raise her, though she was only 16 when she had Valerie. Valerie’s mother gave her her taste in music, and would often play dress up with her daughter. When Valerie was 13, her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, but fortunately survived and is now incredibly healthy.

When Valerie was 16, she met her father for the first time. They get along, but are not close.

Anything the character can’t shake off? Any important personal promises? Anything (s)he is obsessed with?

Smokes, despite her mothers disapproval. Because of this, she tries to never smoke around her mother or let her mother see her smoking, or proof she smokes.

 

Character Inspiration.

Basically, I collect photos from http://www.weheartit.com of people who gave me ideas for characters, or remind me of characters. This is my huge list of photos for Rush/Radio Hysteria.

WARNING. SOME IMAGES MAY NOT BE WORK SAFE.

Character Profile #3: Castor Cruz-Harris

Story Title: Rush/Radio Hysteria

Character Name: Castor Cruz-Harris

Theme song (each character from Rush/Radio Hysteria will have one, as the story is based around music): John Legend ~ P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care)

• Main character
• Protagonist/supporter

Gender: Male
Age:21
Height:5’11”
Weight: 10st
Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown
Distinguishing Marks: Two small scars under his lip from old piercings.
Distinguishing Mannerisms: Clicks his tongue piercing against his teeth, running a hand through his hair.
Describe the character’s appearance in a brief paragraph:
Castor has light brown skin, more golden than anything . He has two piercings, one in his tongue and one in his nostril. His hair was shoulder length, and with a fringe to the side. He can usually be found wearing jeans with holes at the knee and bleach stains, a vest and a random scarf wrapped around his neck. He often wears sunglasses, and has no qualms about wearing them indoors.
What would you find in his pockets?: Key chain, and a few guitar picks.
Personal Reference:

Briefly describe the character’s personality. How does (s)he react to stress, friendships, lovers, job, etc.?

Castor is outgoing, and very smart. He works with his uncle and two brothers at his uncles mechanic shop, and while he doesn’t like it so much, it pays decently and he gets to be around his family. He just sticks his head down and gets to work. He’s very family oriented, and because of how loud and talkative his family are, he’s very quiet and a good listener. When stressed, he gets very sarcastic and snappy. When angry, he often yells in Spanish. He’s very kind and loving to his girlfriends, who he’s usually in relationships with for a long time.
Briefly describe the character’s history. What’s happened in (s)he’s life?

Castor is the third out of six siblings, all of whom are named for Greek mythology, as his parents are both professors of Greek mythology. Unlike many people, he didn’t mind having so many siblings. He’s family are very close, and he spent a lot of time switching between staying at his house or staying with his aunt and uncle who lived two doors down growing up. The family would often all tramp round to one house or the other for dinner and games. He was generally unnoticed in school and college, and when he left college he was immediately offered a job along side his two older brothers in his uncles mechanic shop.

Anything the character can’t shake off? Any important personal promises? Anything (s)he is obsessed with?

Drinks too much.

Comments/Notes:
Siblings:

Icarus (25)

Leandros (23)

Demeter (17)

Hestia (15)

Pandora (11)

Character Profile #2: Dominik Fisher.

Nabbed from: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3431369

Story Title: Rush/Radio Hysteria

Character Name: Isaak Fisher

Theme song (each character from Rush/Radio Hysteria will have one, as the story is based around music): Run ~ Snow Patrol

• Main character
• Protagonist/supporter

Gender: Male
Age:20
Height:6’3”
Weight: 12st
Hair: Black

Eyes: Dark blue.
Distinguishing Marks: Freckles, small scar on his chin.
Distinguishing Mannerisms: Very jittery, always moving something.
Describe the character’s appearance in a brief paragraph:
Dominik is almost identical to Isaak. If it wasn’t for Isaak’s piercings and tattoos, they would be. Like Isaak, he has short black hair, with dark blue eyes. He’s thin, in a geeky-bookish type of way. He generally wears jeans and tees, like Isaak, or jeans and a shirt. He doesn’t mind his freckles, nor does he have any piercings or tattoos. He wears simple, thick framed glasses at times, or contact lenses.
What would you find in his pockets?: Chewing gum and a spare lighter for Isaak.
Personal Reference:
Briefly describe the character’s personality. How does (s)he react to stress, friendships, lovers, job, etc.?
IDominik is definitely the shy half of the duo. He’s very nervous around new people, and is always very quiet. He works in a library and loves it. He gives in very easily, unlike Isaak. It takes a lot to anger him, and like Isaak, the easiest way to do that is to hurt his brother. When angered, he’s still very quiet but radiates anger and can be very sarcastic. Doesn’t forgive easily. When he’s stressed, he moves around constantly, and snaps his fingers a lot. He’s never really had a “lover” as such, just quick girlfriends and the odd boyfriend because he doesn’t like being touched, even if it’s just a simple hand on shoulder gesture. The only one who really can touch him is Isaak, who does it most of the time. Can be very OCD and hates mess and disorder.
Briefly describe the character’s history. What’s happened in (s)he’s life?
Dominik had a very simple, easy childhood. His family were middle class, but he wasn’t popular in school. He was generally unnoticed, and despite having his head in books a lot, was never really bullied because of Isaak. His family are all very close, and he and his brother would always go to his grandmas house after school for dinner until their parents were home. Even after they were old enough to stay home by themselves, they would still go to round to their grandmas.
Anything the character can’t shake off? Any important personal promises? Anything (s)he is obsessed with?
Obsessed with cleaning. Every sunday will clean the small flat from top to bottom until it’s sparkling.
Comments/Notes:
Very, very close to his brother. Doesn’t mind what his brother does to him as he’s always felt they are a whole that was split. Would go through anything to be with his brother.

Character Profile #1: Isaak Fisher.

Nabbed from: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3431369

Story Title: Rush/Radio Hysteria

Character Name: Isaak Fisher

Theme song (each character from Rush/Radio Hysteria will have one, as the story is based around music): My Beautiful Life ~ Ferras.

• Main character
• Protagonist/supporter

 

Gender: Male
Age:20
Height:6’2”
Weight: 12st
Hair: Black
Eyes: Dark blue.
Distinguishing Marks: Piercings, 4 visible facial ones. Visible sleeve tattoo, in bright red and blues.
Distinguishing Mannerisms: Hums near constantly.
Describe the character’s appearance in a brief paragraph:
Isaak has short black hair, with dark blue eyes. He’s thin, but toned from running. He generally wears jeans and tees, with a random hoodie that will be slightly too big on him over the top. He has freckles, which he hates and 12 piercings, the majority of which are hidden. He has three tattoos, one that covers all of his left arm, another that wraps around his right thigh, and one on his hips.
What would you find in his pockets?: Cigarettes, lighter and a condom.

Personal Reference:
Briefly describe the character’s personality. How does (s)he react to stress, friendships, lovers, job, etc.?
Isaak is incredibly friendly, and very comfortable around most people. He loves his job as a desk monkey in a tattoo parlor, and is generally very calm. He can be incredibly stubborn. It takes a lot to rile him up and anger him, and the easiest way to do that is to hurt his twin brother in anyway. When angered, he gets very loud and aggressive and often refuses to forgive people and will use it again and again against them.. When stressed, chain smokes. He treats his lovers like very good friends, with very little change. He loves touching people, and will always be hugging or touching someone in anyway. He can be very lazy when he wants to be, and can often be found in front of the tv.
Briefly describe the character’s history. What’s happened in (s)he’s life?
Isaak had a very simple, easy childhood. His family were middle class, and he was generally quite popular in school. He was definitely the class clown. His family are all very close, and he and his brother would always go to his grandmas house after school for dinner until their parents were home. Even after they were old enough to stay home by themselves, they would still go to round to their grandmas.
Anything the character can’t shake off? Any important personal promises? Anything (s)he is obsessed with?
Obsessed with running, has been since he was about 15. Has to go for a run every day or will be in a bad mood. Often tells himself and his brother that he’s going to quit smoking and never does.
Comments/Notes:
Very, very close to his brother. Has no qualms about hugging him in public or holding him. Doesn’t care what people think about it. Shares clothes with his brother.