From the ground up

A lot of times when you're writing a character for a school project or for a writing prompt it can be extremely difficult to get an idea of how that character looks, acts, and speaks. Because of this drawback a lot of young writers struggle to find a plot line to fit their character, or a character who fits into their plot line. I'd like to suggest that the character will follow their name. Unlike names in real life, fictional names hold an exceptional amount of power over a character. Does the name you choose have to define your character? Of course not! However using a name as a tool while developing the character is very useful and can help you stay on track with the character's emotional development. "So Vira, how do names help us?" Well I'm glad you asked. Here's a little hint: no one thinks of a name the same way. 

I know, I know, I'm not making a whole lot of sense right now but hang in there. 

I'm going to present you with a challenge. I'm going to give you two writing prompts and a name, then ask you a few questions about the person you create. They can be from one prompt, or from both, but they need to be original. Ready? Go!

Strange, bizarre, and weird prompts 

Crown of the Cosmos

Write about a character who happens to be an alien. The catch? This character is exploring the surface of a planet that is told to have been the origin of an ancient and powerful race a millennia before. Double catch? This planet is Earth.

The Fake Redhead's writing prompts

Number 189

Started my day getting attacked by balloons at the market.

Things got a lot worse from there.

Your name? Hayden

Now I'm going to ask you a few questions about Hayden. Don't think too much into these, just say the first thought that pops into your head when thinking about the name. Wether you already have a picture of them or not.

Gender:

Hair color:

Eye color:

Clothing: 

Age: 

Temperament:

Awesome! Now which prompt does Hayden best fit into?

Ta-da! You now have a character to write about! It feels good doesn't it? Lets try another one.

Writing.Prompt.S

You accidentally run over a lonely old lady. She considers pressing charges, but agrees not to as long as you spend two hours a week playing board games with her. It soon becomes apparent that she hasn't had an ordinary life...

Daily Story Seed

Elemental influence

Write about a character with a strange burden: unbeknownst to them their soul serves as the critical center for the elements, making it so that whatever they feel is reflected on the world around them. Explore the point of view of a character whose emotions directly influence nature. And, above all, who is the one truly in control here: this character, or their emotions? 

Your name? Noble

And here comes the questions! (Remember: first thoughts only)

Gender:

Hair color:

Eye color:

Clothing: 

Age: 

Temperament:

And finally, which prompt does Noble fit into?

It's kinda fun huh? Don't worry, you don't have to actually use any of these characters. But practicing like this creates an ability to dive deeper into a character or become more focused on their journey. The first thing your readers will probably ever hear about your character is their name. That's your foundation. It's kinda like building a house, you have to go from the ground up.