WRITING TOOL: CHARACTER OUTLINES

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

At the request of kitty_fic, I'm going to put up a post and talk today about the benefits of taking the time to do a character outline for your fan fiction writing. For some of you, this may be old hat. However, for some, the idea of a character outline and the principles behind it may be completely new!

What is a character outline? It's a composite picture of a given character as he or she is set to appear in your fic. It's a baseline to go by when making characterization choices for a character and how those choices will affect your story and the kind of narrative you are going to, or want to, tell.

There are basically two types of characterization in fan fic.

The first kind is the most common type: a writer doesn't deviate from canon. For example, in this type of fic, Harry leaves Hogwarts, becomes an Auror, has three children with Ginny. The author does not add any details to either Harry or Ginny's characterizations.

The second kind of characterization takes a character's basic canon characterization and embellishes it. This is where unique, funny, and readily identifying information is born. I would argue that this would be more interesting to read. Hey, if I wanted straight canon, I'd just go back and read the books! We don't read fan fic to try and reclaim original canon.

I find it interesting and exciting to read new takes on a canon characterization. Using the original example, you might find that, yes, Harry's left Hogwarts and has become an Auror . . . but perhaps he's an Auror who cannot stand to actually arrest people and is having trouble on the job because of this. Perhaps both Harry and Ginny are terrible housekeepers who cannot cook, and so they eat takeaway every night and have to purchase a house-elf, against Hermione's objections. Perhaps their firstborn is conceived as a complete accident after an extra bottle of wine at dinner one night. Do you see the difference? Enhancing known canon characterizations to include spicy, fun, or unexpected characteristics or details can only result in a more fully fleshed out character for your fic.

Composing a character outline gives one pause. It gives one pause to ask, Am I creating the worst Mary Stu / Gary Stu to ever hit fandom? You might ask yourself this. It's not uncommon, while doing these memes, to read back over your outline and discover you inadvertently have little flamingo-flocking Hannah Abbott characterized as a more powerful witch than Dumbledore and Voldemort combined! Having a composite character outline allows you to go back and tailor your character to have more reasonable characteristics and an appropriate balance of powers.

No character is without flaws. Organizing a composite allows you to consider how a canon character's flaws are going to manifest in your fic. We know that Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson are bullies in canon; how do you make characters like these compelling while still keeping them true to the spirit of canon? By utilizing quirks; hobbies; unique characteristics; special but plausible interests; and noting interactions between these characters and those who do like them. If you have a character who has no significant flaws, then you have a problematic character. By completing a character outline, you can tweak aspects of your character's personality for a more balanced representation.

What does your character like? Dislike? What affiliations does your character have? What nationality is your character? What is their family background and how does that affect them today? Is your character involved in a relationship? What turns your character on and off? What is your character's career and specifically what are their duties? What is your character's emotional lability like? Is your character warm and effusive, or cold and withdrawn? Why? How is your character perceived by others? How do they treat others? You can see the kind of background questions that come into play, that impact the direction of the character, which in turns affects your fic and how it's written.

What is Draco's boggart? If he could produce a Patronus, what would it be? What is Hermione's favorite class and why? How is an adult Harry Potter perceived by others? What are Dumbledore's goals and dreams? What do Pansy Parkinson's friendships look like? What are Ron's likes and dislikes? What do Harry and Draco have in common that can facilitate a relationship? What are their stumbling blocks? How do you get them from point A to point B plausibly, while taking on their characterizations as being polar opposites? Well, if you choose to do a character outline, you can strategically place commonalities between Harry and Draco in your characterizations, no matter how small, as a springboard.

In relation to a specific fic, a character outline can help determine where a character is going to fall within a plot and what role they will play. When you have a character outline in place, you don't have to always guess what your character will be doing; knowing his or her characterization makes it easier to decide in what direction to take your character when it's time for action, and it will make the writing go faster. Character outlines give you a sense of direction.

So, do check out the character outline as a new tool for writing! Not only are they great for fan fiction, but they're essential for original writing, and I know some of us like to write original fiction, too.

Under the cut I've included a character outline I did on Draco Malfoy, as an example, that I completed for serpentinelion's 2011 Glompfest. If you're interested in doing a character outline, please feel free to take the blank template, which I've included below my outline.

DRACO MALFOY

Basics

Name:Draco Lucius Malfoy. Middle name is from his father, Lucius Malfoy. The name Draco is taken from the constellation Draco, which is a circumpolar constellation that resides in the north sky. Circumpolar means the constellation never sets and is therefore always visible. Draco cuts through the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, which reside in Draco's tail. Malfoy seems to be a French amalgamation, loosely translating to "Bad Faith".
Nicknames: Draco Malfoy the Amazing Bouncing Ferret (by Ron Weasley); the dark tortoise of the north (by Harry Potter, from the constellation); the Draco dwarf (by Harry Potter, from the constellation)
Age: 39
Birthday: June 5, 1980
Bloodline: Pureblood
Gender: Male
Nationality: British
Wand: Hawthorn, 10", hair of unicorn tail core. Reasonably springy; exceptionally good for charms and spell casting. (NOTE: This is Draco's wand in canon, prior to being disarmed by Harry. The status of Draco's wand post-Deathly Hallows is unclear. We do not know if Harry returned Draco's wand at any point, or if he had to get a new one.) Draco, in canon, has proven to be very skilled at casting spells, charms, and curses. In the duelling club in book two, Draco competently casts Serpensortia, among other spells, Serpensortia, or a like spell, being one that Voldemort himself breaks out in Order of the Phoenix. (NOTE: If one were to conjure a new wand for Draco, do some research on trees. Different trees have different meanings. For example, the beech tree symbolizes tolerance, past knowledge, and softening criticism. Would this be a good fit for a 39-year-old Draco? Quite possibly, yes.)
Patronus: No Patronus; per canon, JKR has indicated the Death Eaters cannot produce a Patronus because they lack the positive character elements necessary to properly cast this charm. (NOTE: I have written a fic where Draco casts a Patronus in order to save Harry's life and he is able to do it -- once. When coming up against canon for characterization aspects, such as magical ability, an author needs to carefully consider why a particular character would be able to do something unusual that he or she normally would not be able to. In extreme moderation, increasing a character's abilities can be creative and fun. When a character is suddenly more powerful than Dumbledore . . . well. Time to reconsider.)
Boggart: Voldemort; a Dementor; his son Scorpius killed
House: Slytherin
Year: Post-Hogwarts; assuming he went back to Hogwarts to become fully qualified, his year of leaving would have been 1999, the year after the Battle of Hogwarts.

Health

Eyesight:Very Poor! Now wears glasses.
Hearing: Excellent
Left/Right/Ambi: Left
Disabilities/Handicaps: None Known, aside from needing glasses.
Physical Health: Drama queen! Hypochondriac! Draco has an underlying fear of illness, disfigurement, or disability, and lets his imagination run wild with every ache or pain. Subsequently, he sees his personal healer fairly frequently. Conversely, he enjoys smoking occasionally, which is counterintuitive to wanting to stay healthy and disease free. He also enjoys alcohol on occasion. Although he fears poor health, his actual health is fine, with just the occasional cold or other minor illness on occasion. God help his significant other when Draco is sick; he is the worst, most demanding patient ever, and loves to engage in histrionics while ill. Word to the wise: do not put a bell by his bedside; he'll never stop ringing it. Had Dragon Pox as a boy without complications (Dragon Pox is far more serious in adults). Had various Quidditch injuries at Hogwarts, which were easily healed by Madam Pomfrey. Once suffered a broken hand from a Bludger strike; it still is stiff and slightly painful some days. Otherwise, Draco is in fine health.

Psychology

IQ: 128
Extrovert/Introvert: Draco is an extrovert.
Phobias/Fears: Failure; being seen as extraneous or unimportant; Dementors; Voldemort; the dark (when younger); dead bodies; emotional vulnerability; vulnerability in general; being treated dismissively; invasive medical procedures; bowtruckles.
Mental Health:Draco is extremely clever, however is extremely histrionic and animated. Often, this is mistaken for narcissism (which, at times, has been true) and indifference toward humanity.

Draco is extremely impulsive and impetuous, and often does not fully think through the consequences of his actions before giving into his impulses. Draco is a full-blown hedonist, meaning he does whatever feels good to him at the moment, no matter the consequences. He will at times eat to the point of being sick. He will engage in sexual behavior with whoever strikes his fancy and is not particularly discrete about it.

He deliberately blocks off that part of him that is made uncomfortable by the foibles of humanity; he simply lives his life as if there is no need in the world on the part of others. He is oblivious to the needs and suffering of others.

Draco is extremely compartmentalized, which allows him to segregate his emotions and shut down his compassion for the less fortunate or the disenfranchised. Because of this ability to compartmentalize, Draco is a skilled Occlumens and can shut a Legilimens out of his mind successfully. Because of the energy expended in keeping so many aspects of his personality and psyche separate from one another, Draco is prone to anxiety and excessive worry.

Draco is completely unversed in the art of apologizing or making amends. It would be more than fair to describe Draco as a bully. Draco is unforgiving and draws a hard line in the sand; when things do not go his way or people do not acquiesce to his whims, he holds a long and hard grudge. He has a jealous streak that he finds hard to control (for example, when it comes to Harry Potter) and comes off as petty and trite when bullying out of a place of jealousy.

Draco is capable of contrition, although he may not make apologies, as evidenced by his deep unhappiness in being a Death Eater, his refusal to identify Harry, Ron, and Hermione to Bellatrix in Deathly Hallows, although at great risk to himself, and the curt nod he gives to the trio on Platform 9 3/4 in the epilogue.

Draco is competitive, as shown through his relationship with Harry Potter and his desire to best Hermione academically (CoS: At Flourish and Blotts). Draco is clever and intelligent. He successfully mends the vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement. He is one of four "O" O.W.L. Slytherin students to go on to Advanced Potions Making, clearly indicating his grade in Potions was better than Harry's. Lucius's expectation that Draco ought to earn higher grades than Hermione hints at Draco having a strong intelligence.

Like the circumpolar constellation he is named after, Draco is never fully at rest. He never "sets". He tends to be full of nervous energy and is almost always moving in some way, whether that be by tapping his foot or bouncing his knee. Unless he physically stuffs them in his pockets, Draco's hands are always fiddling with something.

Draco is athletic and likes to fly. Harry notes Draco is a proficient flyer in Philosopher's Stone when Draco flies away with Neville's Remembrall; Harry notes that for all of Draco's bragging, he is a good flyer. Draco goes on to become Slytherin House's Seeker on the Quidditch team.

Personality

Goals/Dreams: Draco has few dreams. He is currently content to maintain a busy social schedule and to appear in the newspapers as a wealthy "silk stocking" (socialite). His goal is to be seen as the most generous charitable giver in Britain; however, he does not walk the walk. Yes, he donates money, but not nearly as much as he could and still maintain his wealthy lifestyle. He sees himself as a major benefactor; the wizarding world sees him as a rich playboy who's relatively stingy. Draco has dreams of being impactful, but lacks the fortitude to work hard at an outside job in order to achieve earned accolades and appreciation. He relies on social status and wealth to earn respectability, but this alone is not enough; he does not have insight into this. After Draco is introduced to OC Eliza, and due to wearing enchanted glasses that show him the world exactly how it is, rather than through the narrow lens that he prefers to use, he becomes committed to raising awareness of Squib inequality and begins a campaign to allow Squibs to be educated at Hogwarts. This is the first time in his life that Draco has felt passionate about a social issue. He develops the goal of having a side-by-side educational program at Hogwarts for Squibs and for Squibs to be counted as pure-blood witches and wizards, therefore requiring them to be logged and registered by the Ministry. Draco has a goal of setting up an educational foundation to subsidize this program. Draco subconsciously dreams of a long life with Harry Potter. He dreams of a successful and meaningful life for his son Scorpius.
Quirks/Habits: Bananas! Occasional smoker. Nervous energy. Lunch with Pansy every Wednesday at a French café.
Likes: Harry Potter! Draco likes money, wealth, and power. He enjoys being a father. He genuinely likes his wife Astoria and thinks she's a fine person. His friends are Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Malcolm Baddock, and Gregory Goyle. His best friend is Pansy. Draco likes following himself in 6A, the society page of The Daily Prophet, reading, Quidditch, chatting to the portraits in Malfoy Manor about family history, his house-elf Bitty, and especially being the chair of the annual Dormiens Ball, which takes place at Hogwarts every August. Draco likes playing card games and getting together with his friends for Wizarding Uno once a week. At Hogwarts, Draco enjoyed Charms, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes.
Dislikes: Harry Potter! Gryffindor favoritism. Albus Dumbledore. Being a Death Eater. A bit of a misanthrope in general. Public transportation (the Knight Bus). Being emotionally vulnerable. Bananas. Kneazles.
First Impression: Irritating, tough, mean, petty, loud, selfish, but clever if one can get past the first repulsive layer.
Philosophy of Life: Ah, our Draco does unfortunately embrace the mantra of He who dies with the most toys wins.
Phrases they use often: "Wouldn't you agree?" "Bloody Hell" "Happy endings are for twats" "Right royally . . . " "Sodding" "Are you mental?" "Hey!" "Leg, Limb, and Liberty for all!" "Shut up, Potter." "Pansy! Help me!" *scowls* *raises eyebrow* *eyeroll*

Family

Parents: Lucius and Narcissa (née Black) Malfoy
Sibling(s): None
Spouse / Significant Other: Astoria (née Greengrass) Malfoy; Harry Potter
Children: One son, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy
Family History: Draco comes from a long line of pureblood wizarding family. His family is generationally wealthy and neither of his parents needed to work. His father, Lucius Malfoy, was a Death Eater and charitable benefactor. His mother, Narcissa Malfoy, was a homemaker. Both the Malfoy and the Black families are established as old pure-blood wizarding family, so in that regard, Draco comes from old stock. Not only is Draco's father a Death Eater, but his aunt Bellatrix Lestrange and his cousin Regulus Black were Death Eaters as well. Draco's father Lucius spent time in Azkaban for Death Eater-related activities, following the break-in at the Department of Mysteries during Draco's fifth year at Hogwarts. Draco's aunt, Andromeda (née Black) Tonks married a Muggleborn wizard, Ted, and are parents to Draco's cousin Nymphadora Tonks, who died in the battle of Hogwarts. Draco's second cousin is Teddy Lupin, son of Nymphadora and Remus Lupin. Draco does not claim the Tonks side of the family even to this date. Draco's wife, Astoria (née Greengrass) Malfoy, is a homemaker, and enjoys charity work, socializing, and gardening. Astoria's pet project is the Society for Squib Assimilation, which Draco comes to be interested in through the course of the story.

Background

Occupation: Socialite/Playboy
Affiliations: Slytherin House; Death Eaters; Dormiens Ball Chair/Committee; Leg, Limb, and Liberty charity for prosthetic limbs for war veterans/children; Society for Squib Assimilation; Mary Elizabeth Cattermole Foundation for Magical Excellence.
Education: Prior to enrolling at Hogwarts at age eleven, Draco was tutored privately at home, although he also participated in regular, private group learning exercises with the children of like families.
Home: Malfoy Manor. Wiltshire. 'Nuff said!
Finance: Wealthy

Appearance

Height: 170 lbs.
Weight: 6'0"
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Blond / Slightly receding hairline
Face & Complexion: Fair and clear; pointy chin and hard features. Often unfriendly expression. Does not smile often.
Build: Tall, on the thinner side, kind of weedy.
Defining Marks: Dark Mark on left forearm; two scars on chest from Sectumsempra in 1997.
Dress Style: Draco is a conservative, but tasteful, dresser. He prefers classic styles and reserves daring and new looks for special occasions.
Possessions always on this person: Wand, mints, money, often the Daily Prophet.
Manner of Speech: Draco can be a loud braggart; when he's genuinely being predatory his speaking voice is quite low and flat as he delivers barbs really meant to strike a blow. His normal speaking voice is obviously aristocratic. His manner of speech is exceptionally compatible with sarcasm and sardonic quips. He also has the tendency to be histrionic.
Manner of Movement: Smooth, languid, sauntering.

Romantic

Marital Status: Married
Sexual Preference: Bisexual
Turn ons: Humor, Quidditch Uniforms, clean human scents and elegant scents such as good soap, intelligence. Sex in dangerous places or where he might get caught. Draco appreciates certain voyeuristic tendencies.
Turn offs: Bottoming!
Past Relationships: Pansy Parkinson - Hogwarts - years 5, 6, 7. Lots of casual relationships/sex and one-offs.

Favorites

Animal: Doesn't have one
Book: Serpentine Lion: In the Shadow of the Scar by Piers Egg
Color: Black or charcoal grey
Drink: Loathes pumpkin juice. Enjoys tea and water.
Food: Dislikes bananas; loves French cuisine and sweets
Flower: He doesn't have one, but if asked he would say the Pansy to keep Pansy from getting huffy and smacking him upside the arm.
Music: WWN pop music, wizarding rock, wizarding jazz, WWN news.
Scent: The key word is fresh.
Thing To Do: Read, look for himself in the paper, and have good sex.

Least Favorite

Animal: Kneazles. Draco does not like felines.
Book: Anything by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Color: khaki, muted or muddy shades of green.
Drink: Pumpkin juice
Food: Steak and kidney pie; organ meats.
Music: Draco thinks wizarding musical theater is campy and dumb.
Scent: Bad perfume; homeless people; mildew; blood; death.
Thing To Do: Wait. For anything.

TEMPLATE:

Basics

Name:
Nicknames:
Age:
Birthday:
Bloodline:
Gender:
Nationality:
Wand:
Patronus:
Boggart:
House:
Year:

Health

Eyesight:
Hearing:
Left/Right/Ambi:
Disabilities/Handicaps:
Physical Health:

Psychology

IQ:
Extrovert/Introvert:
Phobias/Fears:
Mental Health:

Personality

Goals/Dreams:
Quirks/Habits:
Likes:
Dislikes:
First Impression:
Philosophy of Life:
Phrases they use often:

Family

Parents:
Sibling(s):
Spouse / Significant Other:
Children:
Family History:

Background

Occupation:
Affiliations:
Education:
Home:
Finance:

Appearance

Height:
Weight:
Eyes:
Hair:
Face & Complexion:
Build:
Defining Marks:
Dress Style:
Possessions always on this person:
Manner of Speech:
Manner of Movement:

Romantic

Marital Status:
Sexual Preference:
Turn ons:
Turn offs:
Past Relationship(s):

Favorites

Animal:
Book:
Color:
Drink:
Food:
Flower:
Music:
Scent:
Thing To Do:

Least Favorite

Animal:
Book:
Color:
Drink:
Food:
Music:
Scent:
Thing To Do:

Also, if you're interested in characterization and blending established canon with your own visions of Potterverse, definitely sign up for hp_headcanon, where you can talk about your personal interpretation of the canon characters.

Comments

[kitty_fic]

This is such an excellent resource! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into sharing this with us!

I can't wait to play with the outline!

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! It was a pleasure!

Also, if there are items missing from the character outline that you'd like to see included, let me know and I'll edit them in. This one is the basic one we used for our HP RPGs, but I did tweak a few things.

[vaysh]

That is rather brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. ♥

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Your icon! Love it!

You're very welcome -- I'm glad it looks like something that will be useful. <3

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing.

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! I hope if you end up giving it a try that it's useful to you.

[nabi-sarang.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. It's going to be very useful : )

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

You're so welcome! Glad I could share :)

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Only a plebe would take the Knight Bus ;)

[magicallioness.livejournal.com]

Lovely, thank you! I do character outlines (and RPG, just not HP), but it's always so useful to read someone else's ideas and strategies.

Only thing with character outlines: everytime I do one, I wish I could draw, so I know exactly what my character looks like. I've gone as far as creating them in games like The Sims, but that only goes so far *lol*.

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know exactly what you mean! I wish I could draw better than South Park figures, LOL!

I also appreciate taking a look at others' ideas of characters that I write. Sometimes I'll have an insight from reading someone else's composite/outline and then think about it in my own terms in relation to that character.

[scarlettlilly.livejournal.com]

What brilliance! I've thought about doing this many times before, but...anyway! =p I suppose it's like doing research for what you're about to write, in a way. That's not something to shy away from or be lazy about like I usually am.

Do you recommend an outline at all times? It seems like a lot of work to do for a quick drabble or ficlet.

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

Well, I want to encourage you to look at this as just a tool -- a writing tool. I think if I were to do a character outline for every little thing, I'd go mad! I wouldn't think a drabble or a ficlet necessarily needs something this lengthy. I typically use character outlines for longer fics, and I keep kind of a basic copy for characters I write frequently, such as Draco or Pansy, and tweak them for each fic and add in characteristics per fic that I think will be impactful.

[scarlettlilly.livejournal.com]

I thought as much. Thank you!

[slytherincesss.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome!