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List of Essential Questions in Creating Original Characters. Writers save this!

Basic Information

•What is the character’s full name? Do they have any titles or nicknames?

•How old are they, and how does their age affect their perspective or abilities?

•What is their physical appearance? How do they dress, groom, and present themselves?

•What species or race are they? How does this influence their life and relationships?

•Where were they born, and where do they currently live? How has their environment shaped them?

Background & History

•What is their family background? Who are their parents, siblings, and other relatives?

•What was their childhood like? Were there any significant events that shaped them?

•What kind of education or training have they received? How competent are they in their skills?

•Have they faced any significant traumas or hardships? How have these experiences affected them?

•What are their most cherished memories? What about their most painful ones?

Personality & Traits

•What are their core personality traits? Are they introverted or extroverted? Optimistic or cynical?

•What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do these traits help or hinder them?

•What are their greatest fears? How do these fears influence their behavior?

•What are their dreams and aspirations? What do they ultimately want to achieve?

•How do they handle stress, conflict, or failure? Do they have any coping mechanisms?

Relationships

•Who are their closest friends or allies? How did they form these bonds?

•Do they have any romantic relationships or interests? How do they approach love and romance?

•Who are their enemies or rivals? What caused these conflicts?

•How do they interact with strangers or people from different cultures or races?

•How do they view and treat those who are weaker or more vulnerable than themselves?

Morality & Ethics

•What is their moral code or personal philosophy? How strictly do they adhere to it?

•How do they view concepts like honor, justice, and duty?

•Are they willing to compromise their morals or values? Under what circumstances?

•How do they react to ethical dilemmas or difficult choices?

•Do they have any secrets or lies that they’re hiding from others?

Abilities & Skills

•What are their primary skills or talents? How did they acquire them?

•Do they have any magical abilities or special powers? How do they use or control them?

•What weapons, tools, or artifacts do they carry? How proficient are they with them?

•What are their weaknesses or limitations in terms of abilities? How do they compensate for them?

•Are there any skills they wish they had or are trying to develop?

Motivation & Goals

•What is their primary motivation or driving force? What keeps them going?

•What are their short-term goals? What about long-term goals?

•What obstacles are preventing them from achieving their goals?

•How do their goals align or conflict with the goals of others around them?

•What would they be willing to sacrifice to achieve their ambitions?

Beliefs & Worldview

•What are their religious or spiritual beliefs? How do these beliefs guide their actions?

•How do they view the world around them, including its magic, politics, and history?

•Are they an idealist, realist, or somewhere in between? How does this shape their decisions?

•How do they view their own place in the world? Do they feel they have a destiny or purpose?

•What prejudices or biases do they hold? How do these influence their interactions?

Quirks & Habits

•Do they have any unique quirks or habits (e.g., fidgeting, humming, collecting odd items)?

•What are their hobbies or pastimes? How do they spend their free time?

•Do they have any addictions or vices (e.g., gambling, drinking, greed)?

•Are there any rituals or routines they follow daily? How do these impact their life?

•What small things bring them joy or comfort?

Social Status & Influence

•What is their social status or rank? How do they navigate the social hierarchy?

•Do they have any power or influence over others? How do they use it?

•Are they well-known or famous for anything? How do they handle fame or infamy?

•How do they view authority and those in power? Are they a follower, leader, or rebel?

•Do they have any responsibilities or duties to others (e.g., family, community, kingdom)?

Conflict & Challenges

•What are their biggest challenges or obstacles? How do they plan to overcome them?

•Have they experienced any major losses? How do they cope with grief or failure?

•Who or what is their greatest enemy? What is the source of this conflict?

•How do they react when they’re wrong or make mistakes?

•What would cause them to change their beliefs, goals, or worldview?

Legacy & Future

•What do they hope to leave behind or be remembered for?

•How do they think others perceive them? How accurate is this perception?

•What would they do if they achieved their goals? What’s next for them?

•Are they prepared to face the consequences of their actions or decisions?

•What kind of life do they ultimately want to live?

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[starpunkmedia]

[starpunkmedia]

until the end

[starpunkmedia]

I know the animation industry has been going through a serious rough patch in the past 10 years. I just hope the medium and the artists making it can get the respect they deserve someday soon. So I wanna take a moment to spread a reminder of the powerful emotional scenes we've gotten from animation in the past 10 years.

[starpunkmedia]

Not every story is about seeing yourself in it. Sometimes it’s about learning to see other people too.

[starpunkmedia]

[starpunkmedia]

HEAVENBREAKER

Commissioned illustration for Sara Wolf's (Insta: @ authorsarawolf; Twitter: @ Sara_Wolf1) upcoming book, Heavenbreaker! Thanks so much for being an awesome client <3

If you'd like to reach out with questions about a commission, email silverthegold@gmail.com 🫵

[starpunkmedia]

Libations

Cover art commission for an upcoming TTRPG book detailing 1000 fantasy drinks. It's beautifully written and the creators put so much love into it—K!ckstarter here!

Thanks to @/httpaladin and @/clericalcleric for being so great to work with!!

[starpunkmedia]

sunlight

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[starpunkmedia]

Moon seller.

--

Twitter / Shop / INPRNT / Patreon

[starpunkmedia]

properly working on a character that mostly existed inside my head. i'm naming it sureau (elderflower)

[starpunkmedia]

handheld divinity

[starpunkmedia]

In you I see a triumphant flame and a poor, immolated heart 🔥

[starpunkmedia]

Spin Cycle. Oil on canvas, 8 x 10"

[starpunkmedia]

I'm very high right now, and like,,, I'm crying

•••

CHIDI

I feel like I failed you. (Sigh)

ELEANOR

"No. I was dropped into a cave and you were my flashlight.

•••

I am sobbing

[starpunkmedia]

Hey btw, if you're doing worldbuilding on something, and you're scared of writing ~unrealistic~ things into it out of fear that it'll sound lazy and ripped-out-of-your-ass, but you also don't want to do all the back-breaking research on coming up with depressingly boring, but practical and ~realistic~ solutions, have a rule:

Just give the thing two layers of explanation. One to explain the specific problem, and another one explaining the explanation. Have an example:

Plot hole 1: If the vampires can't stand daylight, why couldn't they just move around underground?

Solution 1: They can't go underground, the sewer system of the city is full of giant alligators who would eat them.

Well, that's a very quick and simple explanation, which sure opens up additional questions.

Plot hole 2: How and why the fuck are there alligators in the sewers? How do they survive, what do they eat down there when there's no vampires?

Solution 2: The nuns of the Underground Monastery feed and take care of them as a part of their sacred duties.

It takes exactly two layers to create an illusion that every question has an answer - that it's just turtles all the way down. And if you're lucky, you might even find that the second question's answer loops right back into the first one, filling up the plot hole entirely:

Plot hole 3: Who the fuck are the sewer nuns and what's their point and purpose?

Solution 3: The sewer nuns live underground in order to feed the alligators, in order to make sure that the vampires don't try to move around via the sewer system.

When you're just making things up, you don't need to have an answer for everything - just two layers is enough to create the illusion of infinite depth. Answer the question that looms behind the answer of the first question, and a normal reader won't bother to dig around for a 3rd question.