Put Your Character to the Test!

The very first thing I do when creating a book is to think of the main characters. I don’t know what the story will be or where it will take place, or even why. But if I fall in love with a character idea, I sit down and write out what they’re like and how they’re different, or similar, to others. Then I start writing ideas on what career they’d most likely have, friends (if any), where they live, and what their situation is like.

The most important thing a character needs is a personality of some sort. They can be creative, boring, lovable, kind, arrogant, whatever! I personally enjoy the mischievous, analytical, sarcastic, and even the playful. Mostly because they remind me of myself. However, there are far more personalities out there than just these few words to describe them.

On top of giving them a personality, the one thing my readers can expect from me is bringing awareness of different disabilities, disorders, and medical conditions by having some of my characters go through it: OCD, ADHD, ADD, PCOS, dyslexia, depression, vitiligo, autism, speech disorder, abuse, albinism, loss of limbs, schizophrenia, birth defects, and endometriosis, to name a few among many. Of course, you don’t have to do this; it’s just something I feel I can do to help bring understanding to those who maybe never heard of it or don’t know what it’s like to actually go through it. If I don’t know someone with a condition that I’d like to add into my book, I do heavy research on the subject and pray I can get into contact with someone for stories and struggles they’ve faced. I might wright fantasy novels, but I crave accuracy when it comes to these things.

Creating familiarity holds true for more than just disorders. Often times, when beginning your first novel, it’s good to represent characters from people you know. Of course, get their permission first. But usually it’s close friends, family, or pieces of yourself. It’s easier being able to take parts of other’s you know and give it some embellishment. As you get going, you’ll start branching out with characters of people you don’t know. Or maybe you hated another character in a book or movie so much that you want to take their traits and use it as the villain in your story.

But then what happens when you realize you’re using the same, or very similar, personality traits after the first couple of books? People want fresh and different. They love the way you write, but they want more! So, to make it easy for you, I’m posting the link to the "16Personalities Test" down below. It only takes a couple minutes to complete, so feel free to take the test and learn more about yourself and all the different types of personalities out there. It's also fun and very accurate.

You never know, you might discover your next main character, supporting character, or even your next villain!

Free Personality Test | 16Personalities