The Introduction
A character biography tells the story of a character before the present. Sometimes, this is a list of facts. Other times, it’s short stories giving a background rundown to guide me into exploring the character and their future.
When I first began using biographies for my roleplay characters, I found it difficult to summarise a character. I chose instead to give a short description, jumping right into the story. I let those stories with other writers teach me who my character really is. This worked for me so long ago when it felt easier to simply bring a character to life.
That was then.
Development of Biographies
My biographies have grown over the years. This has become a time of reflection and thought. I allow myself to focus solely on the single figure. I give it time to develop inside my head and on the sheet of paper. It gives me time to figure out the name and connection to other characters. I can also determine hints (but probably not all) of their personality. I determine their powers if they possess any. I can also figure out their species if this plays a part in the story. If this character doesn’t yet have a play-by, I will focus on finding one. This happens when I know some basics such as hair and eye colour. Sometimes, I will find a face that matches all. Other times, I will use Photoshop to make adjustments. This is often due to eye colour, especially if unnatural.
There is always an outline, but not always a detailed history and personality written out.
Just One Biographies
For my Just One characters, I focus on facts rather than stories. Each character has one page dedicated to them, which is in a Word document. It shows their pictures, name, date of birth, family, facts, and list of gifts. It also includes the chosen fantasy play-by. The last bit changes for some characters throughout the series.
And not just that.
We have talked about this in the past. I am a crossover between a pantser and a plotter. I begin all my stories with a plan, an outline, and a breakdown of chapters. I also create a list of characters with important details. However, as the writing process continues, I discover new things about the story and the characters.
One of my beta readers is a visual person. Much as I am. As we discussed the characters of Just One, I let her know that I possess this list. Soon after, I suggested spending this document as a guide to the reading. I didn’t however send her the whole file. Mostly because the facts list is one major spoiler. It is intended as a tracker for relevant details throughout the first book’s story. Instead, I gave her the short version. It included pictures. Eyes and sometimes hair were modified to reflect the individual’s important features. It included names, date of birth, planet of origin, family, distinguishing features, and gifts.
The Bloodlines of Just One
It was also when I realized something. I wanted to include a character list at the back of the book. I wanted it with a twist.
This document features an explanation of the bloodlines of the storyline, with relevant characters given a paragraph each. The first three books focus heavily on three major bloodlines within the Just One universe. The document also features an “other bloodline” and “humans section, listing other characters in the story. In this, I hope to guide you through the storyline much like George R.R. Martin did in the back of his books.
Each book will feature a section like this at the back.
However, the book under Conspiracy (working title) will introduce familiar and unfamiliar bloodlines and new characters. Some of them will be familiar from other books, some might have only been mentioned previously, and others will be introduced as brand-new characters.
What do you think of this?
I hope this will bring you closer to my creations throughout the story. I hope the Just One series will have its own Wikipedia pages someday. I wish it would be as well-regarded as some of my beloved stories. Some of my roleplay characters already have these. We decided long ago among my fellow writers that it’s a good way to keep track of storylines, threads, powers, relationships, etc. It was also a way of bringing our biographies to a new level.
So, what do you think of biographies, whether you’re a pantser or plotter?
Do you write them first or last?
Katrine’s Biography
I couldn’t say I have never done the latter. Especially in my earlier years as a roleplayer, it helped put things down for growing characters. Sometimes, I didn’t quite know a character in the beginning. I left this for later when they were more fleshed out. Katrine was one such character. I knew a good bit about her. Yet, it was not enough for a full-fledged biography. In a few months, I sought to explain odd things about her that I realised through writing her.
Do you like bullet points and facts or little stories that cover their histories?
What do you think of the Wikipedia style of writing biographies?
Do you find them a drag, or do they flow easily as you figure out your characters?
Do you write a character and realise later why something is?
I would love to hear your opinion on this subject. Biographies have become something I’m quite passionate about. I can’t wait for you to see how I created the bloodlines section. It is intended for the backs of each of the books.
The Wrap Up
As always, I hope you enjoyed the read. Tune in again next week for the next rendition of Inspiration Monday. For now, this will be the only written blog section covering all previously existing topics. I would greatly appreciate likes and follows, especially on this blog post.
And don’t forget to keep up with my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
Until next time…
~ Love, L.V.
L.V. Luca 