Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Monday, February 9, 2026
Creating a fictional character
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6 steps
- Start with a character archetype.
- Add specific characteristics.
- Build the backstory.
- Give them quirks, faults, and flaws.
- Give your character an arc.
- Add visual references.
Here are some archetypes
Here are some archetypes
1. The
Lover
The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart.
- Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction
- Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality
- Lover
Archetype Examples: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Belle (Beauty
and the Beast)
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
2. The
Hero
The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the
day.
- Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor
- Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris
- Hero
Archetype Examples: Achilles (The Iliad), Luke Skywalker (Star Wars),
Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman), Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone)
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
3. The
Magician
A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe
to achieve key goals.
- Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence,
discipline
- Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance
- Magician
Archetype Examples: Prospero (The Tempest), Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings),
Morpheus (The Matrix), Darth Vader (Star Wars)
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
4. The
Outlaw
The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands.
- Strengths: independent thinking, virtue,
owes no favors
- Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially
criminal
- Outlaw
Archetype Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Robin Hood, Princess Mononoke
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
5. The
Explorer
A character naturally driven to push the boundaries of the
status quo and explore the unknown.
- Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by
self-improvement
- Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never
satisfied
- Explorer
Archetype Examples: Odysseus (The Odyssey), Huckleberry Finn (The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
6. The
Sage
A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The
mother figure or mentor is often based on this archetype.
- Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight
- Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually
join the action
- Famous
sages: Athena (The
Odyssey), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars),
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
7. The
Innocent
A morally pure character, often a child, whose only
intentions are good.
- Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity
- Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely
skilled
- Innocent
Archetype Examples: Snow White
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4
8. The
Creator
A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during
the narrative.
- Strengths: creativity, willpower,
conviction
- Weaknesses: self-involvement,
single-mindedness, lack of practical skills
- Creator
Archetype Examples: Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein)
How strongly do you personally identify with this character? 1
2 3 4 5
9. The
Ruler
A character with legal or emotional power over others.
- Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources
- Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others,
out of touch
- Ruler
Archetype Examples: King Lear (King Lear), Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
How strongly do you personally identify with this
character? 1 2 3 4 5
10. The
Caregiver
A character who continually supports others and makes
sacrifices on their behalf.
- Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal
- Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or
leadership
- Caregiver
Archetype Examples: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)
How strongly do you personally identify with this
character? 1 2 3 4 5
11. The
Everyman
A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life.
- Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth,
relatable
- Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often
unprepared for what’s to come
- Everyman
Archetype Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Leopold Bloom (Ulysses),
How strongly do you personally identify with this
character? 1 2 3 4 5
12. The
Jester
A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but
may also speak important truths.
- Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful
- Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and
superficial
- Jester
Archetype Examples: R2D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars)
How strongly do you personally identify with this
character? 1 2
3 4 5
Think again about the 12 archetypes - do any of them remind
you of people you know? Some of your classmates?
Think again about the 12 archetypes - do any of
them remind you of people you know? Some of your classmates?
1. The Lover
2. The Hero
3. The Magician
4. The Outlaw
5. The Explorer
6. The Sage
7. The Innocent
8. The Creator
9. The Ruler
10. The Caregiver
11. The Everyman
12. The Jester
- Choose one archetype and give them some specific characteristics.
What's their role or job?
How old are they?
Are they male or female?
Rich or poor?
What nationality are they?
Where do they live?
- Build the backstory.
Think of some stuff that might have happened to them in the past.
Did they go to school?
Did they have an unhappy or happy childhood?
Where did they grow up?
Did they have any interesting friends?
How did they become who they are?
- Give them quirks, faults, and flaws, habits
- do they smoke, drink, overeat?
- do they a soft side?
- who and what do they care about?
Add visual references
appearance
clothes
scars / distinguishing features
weapons / tools
Conversation - relationships
First date
Talk about it or not?
travel
family
sport
your hates
your passions
politics
money
old friends
new friends
supermarkets
food
shoes
your past girlfriend / boyfriend
your childhood
your dreams for the future
your plans next week
your favourite pop star
movies
your pets
how much money you have in the bank
your 'type'
your health
your religion
At the end of the date what should you say?
See you.
Take it easy
I enjoyed that - let's catch up soon.
I love you
You're special.
It was nice.
It was nice to meet you.
You're nice.
Am I good enough for you?
That was okay, I guess.
I'll see you in my dreams.
Will you marry me?
I think you're fantastic
Let's do it again.
I'm keen to have dinner sometime soon.
Can I come in?
I will stalk you now.
I didn't enjoy that at all.
You're sexy.
I hope I didn't talk too much.
Marriage and romance?
divorce | Bride | Groom | Vow |
Anniversary | Fiancé | Proposal | Affair |
Arranged marriage | Casual | Playing the field | Flirting |
Crush | Engaged | Butterflies in your stomach | A fling |
Chat someone up | Fall out | Tie the knot | Long distance relationship |
Unrequited love | One-night stand | Platonic | Communication |
Respect | Break up | Drift apart | separate |
If you could ask just three questions to find out if somebody is your type of person, what would they be?
Is same-sex marriage possible in your country?
Where would you choose to propose to somebody? What time of day?
Would you prefer a low-key wedding or one with a lot of guests?
What is your ideal place for a) the wedding ceremony b) the reception?
What do you think is the best age to settle down these days?
What do you think the most common causes of rows between partners are?
What do you think the most common causes of rows between partners are?
Before watching
1. Why do married couples get divorced – what are the
typical reasons?
2. Divorces can be very painful and devastating – can this
be avoided? How?
After watching, explain the significance of these things
in the video
the location
the procession of people
the banner
the scissors
the safety pins
Discuss
1. What do you think about the idea of a "Divorce
Ceremony"? Would you ever do something like this?
2. Do you think it will make the process easier or harder
for the family and friends?
Which of the following are most important when choosing a life partner?
age nationality taste in music presentation personality language manners
laughter political views cool tattoos job money height
likes and dislikes sound of voice job family friends talents
physical attractiveness
How to begin a relationship
You mustn't...
You don't have to...
You must...
You shouldn't...
You should...
If you can, you should...
Pick up lines
How to maintain a good a relationship
You mustn't...
You don't have to...
You must...
You shouldn't...
You should...
If you can, you should...
It's NOT about the nail
How to end a relationship
You mustn't...
You don't have to...
You must...
You shouldn't...
You should...
If you can, you should...
It's NOT about the nail
Hula hoop challenge
Discuss the comments - where they made by men or women?
"This hysterical clip shows us very clearly how important it is to LISTEN when women talk and not try to solve their problems!!!! LOL!"
"The way men and women communicate with each other is very different. Men want to fix things. Women need to be heard. Men need to watch this."
"Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen." Every man has heard these words. And they are the law of the land. No matter what."
Judging by the 2k thumbs down, there are at least 2k women with a nail in their forehead!
"Rationalism vs Emotions"
"I dare say this video really "Hit the nail on the head" bad-dum-tish!"
Discuss in groups
2. Are they "natural" or do they come from how we are raised and conditioned?
How do you feel about the following words?
housewife
actress
chairman
a Karen
blokey (adj) men
fireman
using the pronoun "they" (rather than he/she)
Mother Earth
a prissy-missy
a real man
a lady's man
ice queen
super-dad
cougar
a brunette
a good catch
Are we becoming overly sensitive to words as a form of discrimination?
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