Dear Writer,
Welcome to Session 1 of Build-a-Character: 10 Sessions to Shape Your Story’s Heartbeat.
Over the next five months, we’ll slowly craft a character who doesn’t just move through your plot—but one who feels real, layered, and unforgettable.
Today, we start with the spark.
The Spark: Who Are They?
Every character begins with a flicker—a name, a face, a moment in motion. This week’s focus is about getting to know your character on a basic but essential level: their name, current life situation, voice, and the shape of their ordinary world.
But we’re not stopping at surface details.
We’re building toward something deeper.
📓 Journal Time: Let’s Get the Basics Down
Before we dive deep into beliefs, goals, or backstory, let’s anchor your character in a few simple but important facts.
This is the first spark. You’re not etching anything in stone—everything can evolve. But writing it down starts the process of discovery.
In your journal (or digital “Character Lab”), answer these for your main character:
Name: (Full name if you know it. Nicknames welcome.)
Where do they live? (City, country, fantasy kingdom? Do they love it? Hate it?)
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