this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2023
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Do you ever write characters before a story? (self.writing_lounge)
submitted 10 months ago by Lacanoodle to c/writing_lounge
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Recently I just wrote a characters physical appearance and started jotting down points about the character, I've done a few of these before but never have I started off with the appearance.

The initial note I wrote: A Greyhound-like character with a sleek and slender build, long, narrow face, pointed ears, deep chest, wearing a short, smooth coat, graceful gait, athletic movements.

I normally write with a theme in mind not a character, so the characters I write often feel forced into the story.

I'd love to hear what you feel makes a character apt for a story and what order you tend to build a story in.

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[–] RandomDent 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I definitely do that! I have several characters floating around in my head right now that don't have a story to go into yet.

[–] Lacanoodle 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Ever create character profiles?

[–] RandomDent 2 points 10 months ago

No, not really. They're all in kind of different states of completeness, if that makes any sense. Some don't have names or faces yet, that sort of thing. But I tend to just leave them alone until I need them, then they start to become more concrete depending on the story.