Emotional Mini-Bio Exercise

I came across this recently and found it very thought provoking, especially for character driven stories.  Fill it out for your character and let's share and discuss.  Especially interesting if you write up two of your characters at the same time.  It makes you think of how they are similar and different from each other.  -Airdale

Emotional Mini-Bio exercise from Characters, Emotions and Viewpoint by Nancy Kress

Character Name:

What three of four things does this person value most in life? (i.e. Success, money, family, God, love, integrity, power, peace and quiet)

1.
2.
3.
4.

What three things does he fear most?

1.
2.
3.

What is this person's basic underlying attitude about life? (i.e. "things will usually turn out all right," or "they're all out for themselves," or "it's best to expect nothing because then you won't be disappointed," etc.)


What does she need to know about another person in order to accept that other as "all right" and trustworthy?

What would cause this person more pain than anything else possible?

What would this person consider the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to him?

What three words would she use to describe herself, accurate or not?

1.
2.
3.

How accurate is his self-description?

What organization most embodies this person's values? (i.e. Mensa, Daughters of the American Revolution her church, Aryan Pride, PTA, etc)

Does he belong to this group?  Yes / No.  If not, why not?

* * *  My Characters * * *

Character Name: Korish Savoy

What three of four things does this person value most in life? (i.e. Success, money, family, God, love, integrity, power, peace and quiet)

1. indepenece
2. his skills as a fighter
3. loyalty
4.

What three things does he fear most?

1. failing to protect someone he cares about
2. losing control of his body or his freedom
3. fatherhood

What is this person's basic underlying attitude about life? (i.e. "things will usually turn out all right," or "they're all out for themselves," or "it's best to expect nothing because then you won't be disappointed," etc.)

"Life is harsh and unkind; stop whining and deal with it." and "People will try to hurt you.  Don't let them."

What does she need to know about another person in order to accept that other as "all right" and trustworthy?

He needs to see the do something to protect someone else at a cost to themselves

What would cause this person more pain than anything else possible?

becoming handicapped or else seeing someone he failed to protect suffer

What would this person consider the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to him?

Succeeding in saving people through a daring, adrenaline-filled task accomplished in defiance of someone's orders

What three words would she use to describe herself, accurate or not?

1. Loyal
2. unemotional, loner
3. Daring

How accurate is his self-description?

He is right about being loyal and daring, but he cares more about people than he is willing to admit.  Because of that, he is a lot more susceptible to emotional pain than he realizes

What organization most embodies this person's values? (i.e. Mensa, Daughters of the American Revolution her church, Aryan Pride, PTA, etc)

Thieves R Us and other criminal groups

Does he belong to this group?  Yes / No.  If not, why not?

He found an outlet for his adrenaline needs within military special forces.



Character Name: Renee Milledy

What three of four things does this person value most in life? (i.e. Success, money, family, God, love, integrity, power, peace and quiet)

1. Friends
2. Integrity
3. Perseverance
4. Self determination

What three things does he fear most?

1. Losing her friends
2. Failing
3.

What is this person's basic underlying attitude about life? (i.e. "things will usually turn out all right," or "they're all out for themselves," or "it's best to expect nothing because then you won't be disappointed," etc.)

"There are many good people in the world, and I am one of them."
What does she need to know about another person in order to accept that other as "all right" and trustworthy?

Have to think about this one...

What would cause this person more pain than anything else possible?

Rejection from her friends

What would this person consider the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to him?

Being in a position to save people and having them love and appreciate her for it.

What three words would she use to describe herself, accurate or not?

1. Good
2. Caring
3. Mature, an adult

How accurate is his self-description?

Renee is more naïve and idealistic than she realizes, but she is a very good person and a loyal friend.

What organization most embodies this person's values? (i.e. Mensa, Daughters of the American Revolution her church, Aryan Pride, PTA, etc)

No idea... Some group whose motto is "You can do it!"

Does he belong to this group?  Yes / No.  If not, why not?

n/a