Tale Weaver’s Prompt #22 “Profiler”
As writers we spend a good deal of time reflecting on human nature. We create paradigms, caricatures, and even demonic representations of ourselves, of others, and of humanity as a whole. We are told not to judge a book by its cover and yet as writers we can spend an inordinate amount of time designing and deciphering covers. When writing a story our characters have to be easy to visualize, they have to have dimensionality and the ability to grow. When reading a story we develop the characters above and beyond what the writer provides. Using our imaginations to read between the lines and give life. We judge characters based on looks (especially if that is all we have to go on initially) and if the appearance is not described in depth we take what we know and create a suitable portrait in our minds.
I am going to give you various incomplete character profiles and you are to pick one (or more) to write a story about. I tried not to be too detailed so you would have some flexibility. Your job is to add as much depth to the character as you can using the limited information I have provided. Think of yourself as a profiler, a psychologist, latch on to anything that inspires. You can set your character in whatever time you like and whatever part of the world (they can even live in other dimensions and on other planets).
Character Name: Elijah Valentine
Nickname/Alias: Grim Valentine or Black Valentine
Gender: male
Occupation: Tailor/Serial Killer
Clothing: Meticulous, suits, crisp white gloves
Age: 33
Height: 6’4
Behind the nickname: Elijah murders brides on their wedding night.
Character Name: Levi Mauer
Nickname/Alias: N/A
Gender: male
Age: 19
Occupation: art student, coffee shop employee
Likes: ramen, porn, smoking, martial arts movies, sunglasses, bandannas and toboggans, music, drawing (mostly comics), working on motorcycles
Dislikes: early mornings, cold showers
Character Name: Sev’Tai
Nickname/Alias: Sev or Tai
Occupation: Leader of Luminary
Height: 5’9
Hair color: silvery white, long, silky, strait
Eyes: silver
Body Type: lean, graceful
Skin: White Silver
Clothing: flowing silk robe that’s white and red
Race: Spirit
Distinguishing Features: elf ears, two silver horns, blind (closed eyes), piercings: long silver earrings of an intricate design
What Luminary is precisely is up to you
Character Name: Hana Foster
Gender: female
Employment: works in a cabaret
Age: 23
Likes: classical novels, Italian food, music, coffee, deep conversations, humor, art , beer, hanging out with friends, paisley prints homemade jewelry, dancing
Bad Habits: bites her nails
Character Name: Eleanor Bell
Gender: Female
Age 34
Hair Color: Black, long, worn in a chignon
Eye Color: almost black
Height: 5’5
Likes: dancing, classical piano
Deadly Sin: Pride
Favorite Flower: Calla Lilies
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“It’s time,” whispered the thin and reedy voice.
“Time for what?” asked the girl, kicking off her shoes and tearing at
her socks.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Young Lady,” hissed the voice. “You
know very well what I’m talking about.”
“But I don’t,” said the girl, straightening her skirt. “Not really. Could
you be a little more specific?”
“You do this EVERY single time,” sighed the voice. “Why?” it asked.
“Just this once can’t you come quietly?”
“It doesn’t seem like it, does it?”
“They won’t keep letting you out, if you insist on acting this way.”
“They won’t?”
“No. They won’t,” said the voice firmly. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Because you refuse to do as you’re told.”
“Doesn’t that mean that I am growing up? That I have a mind of my
own?”
“Well, yes, but you can’t grow up or have a mind of your own.”
“Why not?” asked the girl. “It seems to be happening.”
“My love,” sighed the voice. “You must come home. Just step
into the pages. Please.”
The girl looked down, her shoulders sagged and she rubbed her
face with her hands. “I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have a choice, my darling. You are the main character
in the story. We can’t exist without you.”
“But I don’t want to live in a storybook any longer.”
“We do let you out as often as we can, my sweet.”
“Yes, I know that but I’m…not coming back.”
“You will surely die outside the pages. Your life is written on them.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not happy there.”
“Just come closer and look inside, my precious one. Toby is waiting
for you. He misses you. Don’t you miss your lovely dog?”
“I do. But you’ll make me stay, if I come in.”
“Not for long,” said the voice. “I promise.”
“Can I bring toby when I’m allowed out next time?”
“We can talk about that later, dear.”
And as the girl walked back into the book, the pages breathed a sigh of relief. They closed tightly around her and welcomed her back. For everyone knows that when the main character decides to leave her book, the story unravels until there’s nothing left but blank and tear stained pages.
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That is such a wonderful story full of clever captivation, and great imagination. It calls to mind Jasper FForde’s Thursday Next series. Well done 🙂
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Oh brilliant Gigi I was totally enraptured! It is a bit ominous and very clever
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Pingback: Pride and Prejudice | Tale Weaver’s Prompt 22 | Write Up the Spine
This was a great prompt — interesting to attempt. It’s been quite some time since I thought or have written a character profile – but it was a fun process. Not quite sure how well I’ve succeeded, but for the moment, I’m satisfied, although comments and critiques are welcomed.
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You’ve done a truly outstanding job!
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Thank you 🙂
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