Forums » Smalltalk » Character Personality Troubles

I always have trouble with character personalities and this girl here is no different.

She is my current muse and the profile that I want to finish up but I can't for the life of me figure out what her personality would/will be. Does anyone have any tips on how to decide and get it down in writing? Or even any suggestions to what she could be? I'm honestly at a total loss.

You have a lovely profile page. I guess it comes down to how you want to write Brooke. Is she a wild Woman living on the edges? Or more reserved and puritanical? If a bad boy biker like my Jeremiah cane sling, how would she act? Maybe this will help.

Sometimes when I get stuck, I'll go browse the 16 personality types and try to pick one that feels different from my other characters:

https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types

Try considering her past. We all have inborn characteristics (which tend to get referred to as our natures), but I find a lot of our behaviors, mannerisms, and the ways we react to things are shaped by our experiences. In what ways has her life been difficult so far? What sort of obstacles has she faced, and how did she overcome them, or fail to overcome them?

Good luck! Her profile looks nice.

Gah...she's gorgeous. *Does a triple take* lol Anywho...

You've already got some personality traits on there. Like, you said in the history that she was shy in her childhood, because of her history. Which maybe stems from a lack of trust from being bounced around. A lack of trust that someone will stick around and so maybe she's hesitant to get close to anybody right away? I'm just brainstorming. So she could possibly be cold and distant, only warming up after time?

But you said that she took to partying a lot later once she started to rebel, so maybe she got over her shyness. Maybe she's an extrovert who always likes to be around people because it helps block out things she starts thinking about when she's alone? Maybe she ever fears being alone, which could lead to some interesting neurotic behaviors, like pressuring people to come over, or not to leave, or to stay up with her.

She could be bubbly and social, but not get too personal with people unless they win her trust. She could use alcohol and drugs as self medication to deal with the trauma from her past.

Or maybe she's an introvert that watches everything but doesn't approach or talk to someone until they talk to her? Someone who daydreams a lot? Maybe with nervous mannerisms like bouncing a knee, or biting her lip, or fidgeting will her hands.

In my experience, someone that gorgeous is often, for some reason, mysteriously, insecure about their looks and struggles with having a positive self image. Which only, to me, makes them more sympathetic, loveable, and adorable. Either that or she could be overconfident about looks and a little bit catty and competitive, seeing other women as competition. These are just a few ideas. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for posting, this is all really helpful!

I will take bits from each if you and hopefully be able to create something that is decently realistic. There's already some ideas floating around I'm my head thanks to your input.

I tend to stick between the same range of personalities, but what I tend to do is create their backstory first, then look at it psychologically. Think, "How would my character act based on their past". Include setting, actions to the character, and relationships with other characters into these considerations.

For example, my character Liam was abused by family as a child. So he acts timid and untrusting towards new people, as well as becomes sort of a pushover when people pick on him. That's how his backstory affects his personality.

Sorry if I'm a bit late to the party but I figured I'd still chip in.

Your welcome and that's good that it helped spur ideas, yay.