Eliza Writes

Writer - 24yo - Aspiring Fiction Author - Tired University Student - She/Her - Home of a Lawful Good and her Chaotic Evil alter ego. - Tag Game & Ask Friendly

[elizaellwrites]

Hello and Welcome!

I've introduced myself here before, but I have quite a few new followers and feel like it's time for an updated masterpost and a better-organized layout for you to navigate.

If you'd like to skip to reading my stuff, here's a link to the Google Site with my published works or you can check out my Master Post here on Tumblr with links to all my published chapters.

This intro is split into 3 parts:

Who on Earth am I?

What the heck is this blog?

What in the world am I working on?

Who am I?

Hi, my name is Eliza (pseudonym), or Elizabeth if you're feeling fancy. I'm an American college student who has an unhealthy attachment to cats, caffeinated beverages, books, and my endless collection of every color of pen imaginable.

I'm an INFJ (4w5), am some type of neurodivergent, chronically ill, and on the Ace spectrum. My favorite subjects besides reading and writing are cultures/sociology, psychology, and history (my infatuation with these topics can bleed into my writing quite often.)

If you are interested, I also started a side blog for my random, non-writing chaos. I am terrible at posting there though…

About this Blog:

This page is dedicated to my random writer comments, my worldbuilding, character posts, and writing updates.

You're welcome to send comments, questions, concerns, or just random tags at any time. I may not get to them immediately, but they are all appreciated.

I'm currently experimenting with a more structured and purposeful post schedule, so bear with me on that while I find the best setup for myself.

I hope to connect with people here, as I have done so far. Social media isn't always my thing, but Tumblr has had me pleasantly surprised.

My Writing Work:

Please note that none of my work displays 18+ content, however, most contain mature themes such as death, grieving, sometimes descriptive violence, abuse, and mental health struggles at some level. All stories/chapters containing potential triggers are marked. If you notice that I missed something, please notify me. I try to balance the weight of these darker themes, so they are not always at the forefront of everything, but please be aware that they are present. Take care of yourselves.

My writing is split into two different categories. All of my work takes place in the same original universe and deal with my fictional, magical humanoid species of Hecathians from their home planet Ariya. I am progressively working on an Encyclopedia of sorts for this fictional world and the characters living in it.

My main project- The Legacy of the Fallen series

Expanded Works- "shorter" complementary series (plural)

Legacy of the Fallen

I'm currently working on Book One: The Child (Read Here or Here on Tumblr)

Most of my posts will be centered around this WIP, as the world developed from this story. Most of the characters you'll see posted about are also from here.

Currently: 80k words/????

Genres: Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama, and Mystery

Summary

After being driven from their home and countless lives lost among them, the Hecathian people are striving to rebuild what was lost. The Academy, a safe haven and reintroduction to their lost society, seeks other survivors. Annamarie has recently made a fated move with her father, being thrown into a world of discovery, danger, and more mysteries to be uncovered. As she learns more, she begins to question who she can really trust while everything she thought she knew fades into an illusion. Though it starts off following the daily lives of four seemingly average students at a random school, it's quickly revealed that there's more to them that even they may be unaware of. One of these four, Jacob, serves as a bridge to the reality that their true identities had been hidden from them after their parents and families went into hiding thirteen years ago after their people suffered a massacre that ended with millions dead and their world in the hands of their enemies. They are connected with a sanctuary that serves as cultural re-education and emersion for their people, which is ruled by Maishear, Jacob's father. Though this academy is supposed to be safe, it is plagued with political controversy, mysterious disappearances, and a traitor in their midst. The newcomers and Jacob's team are thrown together to face the challenges ahead and the shadows of the past that plague them.

To follow, I have until Book 4 in the planning stages (because I'm chaotic.) Here are the titles for Books 2 & 3:

Tempest

Violet Sky

Expanded Works

I keep getting new ideas for these, so I will update this as more come out/chapters are updated.

Theoretically, these are shorter series, though since I'm incapable of writing actually short stories, we'll see.

I currently have 2 series in the works:

Vixen

Currently: 8700 words/???? (Read Here or Here on Tumblr)

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Action, Romance, Mystery

Summary

Tells the story of Roselle and members of their team two years before Legacy of the Fallen takes place. Roselle Jakoste is one of the few remaining members of the royal Verairacur family. Now, at fifteen, she finds herself falling for the son of the man that destroyed her family. Meanwhile, a mystery begins to reveal itself as political tension within the academy starts to grow.

Ruin

Currently: 3400 words/???? (Read Here or Here on Tumblr)

Trigger Warning: This whole story is very dark. Death, grief, and uncertainty are very prominent throughout. If this isn't for you or you're not in a good place, please skip this one.

Genres: Fantasy, Action, Dystopia, Tragedy

Summary

Follows various survivors of the Hecathian genocide who eventually find safety and companionship with each other. As their home planet is held under occupation, remaining Hecathians have to fight and hide to survive, while the life they knew crumbles around them.

Coming Soon: Awakened

Genres: Fantasy, Politics, Spy, Action, Drama, Eventual Romance

Currently on Hold- I will return to it though.

Summary

Etesha is a young woman who has grown up within the Yaldaeit political cult. Raised to believe in the extreme ideologies and measures of the group, she has been preparing for her role in their activities for years. She has finally been given a true assignment as an undercover agent within the observance system. In this new position, and seeing society outside of her sheltered community, she begins to question whether she still agrees with what the Yaldaeit does and whether she will carry out her mission or not.

I try to post updates regularly, and usually on weekends. If you're interested in being added to a taglist, please comment on which one, or request to be added on an update.

Disclaimer: Please do not repost my work anywhere without permission. Thanks.

Thank you for all the support on here, and don't be afraid to say hello! I won't bite, I swear.

I hope you enjoy my work and that you love my characters and world as much as I do!

[elizaellwrites]

Remember what they tell you to forget.

[woman-becomer]

tumblr users love reading. you literally stopped for this post just because it has words in it

[interpolationz]

this is one of my favorite bits about tumblr

the users seem to actually prefer text posts to anything else, and treat it as a chore to play a video especially with sound

[lazzarella]

[elizaellwrites]

Another notable event in why Google’s AI Overview is stupid:

I was trying to do quick research on the 1649 codification of serfdom in Russia, and the AI chatbot kept telling me that the sport of surfing was not present in the region at the time. Not to mention that Russia didn’t even have a coastline at the time…

[aetsiv]

i think because of the whole "writers write for themselves" notion that's becoming increasingly popularized, people forget that we still thrive off interaction and kindness. i write for myself but kudos and comments and bookmarks and really any sort of interaction with my fics genuinely motivates me to keep writing and keep sharing my works.

[evilwriter37]

I write for myself.

I post for community.

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

reblog if your blog is not a safe place for blorbos

[elizaellwrites]

A new story I'm working on. As of now, it is unnamed, and I have no idea how long it will be, but I will likely update it sporadically.

It is inspired by a true story from history, but it is its own tale. Let me know what you think!

Draft 1

Adelaide gripped her fingers together as she gazed out of the thin window. Sunshine slashed across her grave face, her hazel eyes furrowed in thought. She turned to look at her desk, the letter she had written abandoned, but the words it carried still burned into her memory, along with the images they described.

Should she publish it, her husband's reputation would turn to dust. Should she not, she would be subjected to his continued depravity and humiliation for the rest of her life.

What would he do to her if she were to publicize his activities? He would not simply keep her as his queen, nor would she consider herself safe. It wasn't as if she were in a situation where she would have support if he did take action against her. After all, this was his country. She was but a guest in his house, tasked with the duty of providing him with a male heir. Her true home was far away.

She was but a woman here, below her husband or any male. In her marriage, she had lost the right to own property or decide actions for herself; she was reduced to a decoration, a tool. It was a sacrifice that an alliance between their two countries could not fully justify. Women's words were taken the same as a child's. Would the people of Isvanai even listen to what she had to say about their king?

She turned back to the window, staring out at the silhouettes of the buildings that surrounded their castle. She watched as the figures of the guards paced along the wall-walks, armed and ready for any threat. They did little to make her feel safe. After all, she was a prisoner in everything but name.

Adelaide had no chance to get past them. No way to escape.

She let out a shaky breath and walked slowly to her desk. She lifted the letter, reading it over one more time, before bringing the parchment to her candle. She watched as the flames licked its edges, the parchment slowly blackening, curling under the heat. Her hand trembled as she moved down the page, feeling the heat against her skin. Once the flames had a hold, she dropped it onto a flat plate, watching it burn.

Now was not the time, but someday.

[my-cursed-prince]

I AM HERE.

*giggles into hand*

Okay first of all, which story from history is this inspired by?? It's always fun to read tales that are their own but somewhat inspired by real events. It's why I love historical kdramas and TV shows like Call the Midwife!!

I loved your imagery and the way you described things! 'Sunshine slashed across her grave face.' Pocketing that phrase. It sounds sooo good and *chefs kiss* Anyway, there were a lot of these, and I really love how it makes the writing flow! I've come to learn through my adventures with VE Schwab that I like a splash of poetry in writing, and I thought you had some of that!

I'm invested in Adelaide and the king. I wonder what he's doing and how the people would respond to her.

And it poses some interesting questions too. Like, at least for me, I find myself wondering: what is her duty as the queen to publish her husband's wrongdoings? Would it be worth the cost? Is it wrong to hide what he's doing? Does she have allies? What are the people's thoughts and opinions of her? Her husband? Is he loved, hated, etc. Even if he were hated, is the fact she's a woman, enough to make the people side with him?

Also, this might be me projecting with my own writing, but the way she views the guards is interesting. Like are they protecting her? Or are they reinforcing the concept that she's to stay inside? What's the limits of her freedom? Does she get to leave the castle? Her room? Has she ever secretly visited the town? How did this go? And what is the relationship with the guards? Is it merely their looming presence and her restlessness--or do they hurt her? And if so, does the king turn a blind eye? Or worse yet order it?

The fact she thinks she has 'no way to escape' makes me think the guards have negatively been used against her. I feel like it's a popular trope for royals to 'visit the town' in disguise. I feel like for most royals in TV shows and dramas, it's like 'aw man, he or she slipped the guards again. what will we do with them?'

But the way she fears them, makes me wonder if she's had erm...consequences to breaking the mold :))) if she's tried to leave before and it did uh. not go well :)))

Anyway! It was all really good! I enjoyed your flow of writing and it got me intrigued!

Those are the questions I sorta had when reading and would love to know more about!

[elizaellwrites]

Thank you for responding! Your feedback was very helpful!

I will say that a lot of your questions are to be answered as I keep working on it, so I won't spoil too much ; )

As for the story it's based on, it is the tale of Evpraksia of Kievan Rus' (Medieval Russia) who married the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, in Germany in the 10th century. I won't disclose how close to her original story this one will stick yet, as I'm still working that out.

The true story, or at least what historians have pieced together, is that Evpraksia took the name Adelheid upon her marriage, which had been arranged by her father to form a political alliance. She filed a public complaint about her husband, who mistreated her and forced her to participate in secret orgies that involved rituals and, allegedly, incest. Her husband, who had been fairy well regarded by his people, was condemned by the church and people, before being removed from the throne for a different scandal by his own son. At the same time Evpraksia filed her complaint, she openly sided with her husband's opponents in this political battle that he would lose. Henry IV was excommunicated and later died from illness in his 50s.

After publishing her complaint, Evpraksia was able to escape, but word had spread about how she had committed "insubordination" against her husband. Rumors about her traveled across Europe and even reached her family back in Kiev. They refused to support or shelter her, and the Orthodox Church condemned her for going against Henry IV. Evpraksia then sought support in Hungary, where her aunt ruled. Once there, she sought to be inconspicuous and likely lived the rest of her life as a nun under the name of Sister Anna.

Historians of the time labeled her as immoral and dissolute, calling her: "proprio marita prostituta est" roughly meaning "My wife is a prostitute." Since this happened about 900 years ago, a lot has been lost to time, but her story has stuck with me and inspired me to write a story that is at least loosely based on her

[elizaellwrites]

A new story I'm working on. As of now, it is unnamed, and I have no idea how long it will be, but I will likely update it sporadically.

It is inspired by a true story from history, but it is its own tale. Let me know what you think!

Draft 1

Adelaide gripped her fingers together as she gazed out of the thin window. Sunshine slashed across her grave face, her hazel eyes furrowed in thought. She turned to look at her desk, the letter she had written abandoned, but the words it carried still burned into her memory, along with the images they described.

Should she publish it, her husband's reputation would turn to dust. Should she not, she would be subjected to his continued depravity and humiliation for the rest of her life.

What would he do to her if she were to publicize his activities? He would not simply keep her as his queen, nor would she consider herself safe. It wasn't as if she were in a situation where she would have support if he did take action against her. After all, this was his country. She was but a guest in his house, tasked with the duty of providing him with a male heir. Her true home was far away.

She was but a woman here, below her husband or any male. In her marriage, she had lost the right to own property or decide actions for herself; she was reduced to a decoration, a tool. It was a sacrifice that an alliance between their two countries could not fully justify. Women's words were taken the same as a child's. Would the people of Isvanai even listen to what she had to say about their king?

She turned back to the window, staring out at the silhouettes of the buildings that surrounded their castle. She watched as the figures of the guards paced along the wall-walks, armed and ready for any threat. They did little to make her feel safe. After all, she was a prisoner in everything but name.

Adelaide had no chance to get past them. No way to escape.

She let out a shaky breath and walked slowly to her desk. She lifted the letter, reading it over one more time, before bringing the parchment to her candle. She watched as the flames licked its edges, the parchment slowly blackening, curling under the heat. Her hand trembled as she moved down the page, feeling the heat against her skin. Once the flames had a hold, she dropped it onto a flat plate, watching it burn.

Now was not the time, but someday.

[nobrashfestivity]

Andy Warhol, Cats, 1954

Artists Rights Society-ARS

more

[whetstonefires]

One of my favorite things is modern adaptations that leave people with the same careers they had in the original material, because unless you’re a cop or a doctor that practically never happens.

Irene Adler’s an opera singer. We still have those! They don’t have the same subtext exactly, but nothing is going to because we aren’t the Victorians. She could continue to be an opera singer. I have never seen this happen.

Jonathan Harker can still be in real estate. That’s a job people have. A modern story that still involves Dracula contacting his firm to help him purchase property sounds amazing actually.

[nudityandnerdery]

A modern adaptation of Dracula where you keep seeing Jonathan Harker’s face on bus stop bench ads for his realtor office.

[daddygrandpaandthebeaver]

#“This client doesn’t seem to exist online; a bit strange. But he’s elderly so it’s not that unusual” -Jonathan about to make a mistake – @capslockdoesntexpressmyjoy

[prokopetz]

I was about to joke about Quincey Morris still being a cowboy, but then it occurred to me that he’s not actually a cowboy in the source material, is he? He’s the wealthy heir of a Texas ranch-owning family who just acts like an Old West cowboy. If anything, that’s even more plausible today than it was in 1897.

[roach-works]

let’s see dracula shrug off getting hit with one of these country cosplay motherfuckers

[what-even-is-thiss]

I'm volunteering for a literary journal right now and there's two things I think you all should know.

1. Most people that submit to literary journals are cis white men. We know this because our journal has an anonymous survey about demographics for people that submit.

2. Most things that get submitted to the creative non fiction section are on the level of middle school "What I did over the summer" essays.

I cannot see the demographics of the people whose essays I'm reading, but guys, if you are wondering if you should submit your work to a literary journal or not, I promise you that just in terms of statistics there are a lot of mediocre cis white men and people in general confidently submitting weird crap that isn't literature to literature magazines. Do it. Submit your work. Please. If you want there to be more diversity in literature, be the diversity. Do it. Do it do it do it.

[what-even-is-thiss]

In general literary magazines want to include more diversity, but if poc, queer people, disabled people, etc. don't submit their work then they aren't gonna get more diverse because we just won't have the material necessary to get more diverse. Submit your work. Do it. Do it. Do it do it do it.

[what-even-is-thiss]

Here's a list of university run literary journals. Do it. Get published.

[what-even-is-thiss]

[wilthered-dreams]

Many indie lit mags also welcome works from BIPOC and LGBTQIA creatives because the editorial staff themselves are in that demographic. Quarantine brought on the start of the SO many indie lit mags - it’s almost a golden age. Don’t be afraid to submit — there will always be so many niches and aesthetics that one will bound to be the one that fits your style. 

There is so much work from marginalized narratives in litmags these days — people lament there is no representation in media, but that disregards the progress and diversity of the works of editors and writers who help make these litmags possible. 

There is representation, and it is flourishing. They are waiting to be read. 

The Lumiere Review compiles a list of submission opportunities every month, and it are always very useful: 

https://lumierereview.com/sub-sep-oct-2021

List of Litmags that Specifically Look for Work from Marginalized Creators or is Run by Marginalized Creators:

Warning Lines: https://warninglines.com/

With Confetti: https://with-confetti.com/

Giving Room Magazine: http://www.givingroommag.com/

The Bitchin’ Kitsch: https://www.talbot-heindl.com/

Tealight Press: https://www.tealightpress.com/

Tipping the Scales: https://www.tippingthescalesjournal.co.uk/

The Winnow Magazine: https://www.thewinnowmagazine.com/

perhappened: https://www.perhappened.com/

AZE Journal: https://azejournal.com/

Honeyfire Lit: https://honeyfirelit.com/

and so much more!!

(And even if some litmags’ mission statement isn’t specifically for marginalized creators, they will always welcome these narratives.)

So please, please submit!

[what-even-is-thiss]

Independent magazines are great too! I’m more familiar with the university journal scene so I appreciate this addition.

[martabat]

hello, this is a list of asian literary journals!! it emphasizes south-east asian journals, but there’s a few from other regions as well

[shayvaalski]

I read for a large poetry magazine and you guys: have the confidence of some of these writers and submit your work. Just do it.

[soulbinder90]

What I notice in a lot of modern books I read (and DNF) is the lack of attention to small details.

Before smartphones and social media, authors were more attentive. That’s why their worlds and characters felt real, because they were watching the real world around them.

Authors—put your phone down. Sit still. Watch.

Watch the shadow of a bird sweep across a building as it flies past. The way a beam of light bends into perfect circles on the glass. The dried splatter of a drink on the floor.

And then write. Because the world is already writing poetry, you just have to listen.

[lnorelle]

How to get back into writing (after many ancient years)

It feels strange to be back.

I think when you do take a long break from a skill, hobby or interest, there is that uncertainty of 'well, maybe this is it?' or that you'll have to start over from the beginning again, having lost a lot of past progress. And that fear can actually feed into the hesitancy to even try to get back into it.

Not yet, I tell myself, it's not the right time. I'm not ready.

It's like I'm waiting for the perfect moment, where everything in my life is sorted, and I feel 100% confident.

But the truth is, that moment doesn't exist. There will always be something else that needs to be done, or some kind of life event going on, or something really awful in the news happening - or maybe it's just one of those days when you feel tired, and, maybe it's best to wait another day, you think to yourself.

Another day.

And then another day becomes months and years, and here we are.

-So what changed? How did I start writing again?

I'm still figuring this out. And it can be different for everyone - the things which get you back into an interest you really enjoyed. But somethings I have noticed are:

I stopped punishing myself for not writing

Writers (and us creatives in general) are very good at this. We feel guilty for not creating, and then because we're feeling guilty, it gets us down and we don't feel like writing. And then we feel even more guilty... and so the cycle continues.

It is okay to take a break - even a very long one - if you need to. Which I know is a difficult thing to accept, especially those of us who are trying to make a career out of it. There could be financial reasons why we need to keep the writing wheels turning. For some of us it's our livelihoods, or we at least have it as a part-time job and aspire to make it a full time job one day, if we're very lucky.

In this case it does depend on your individual situation. But, if you are already in a situation where the pressure is on and you're kicking yourself for not creating, then continuing to punish yourself might only make it worse.

If deadlines are looming, take a short break to get some distance between you and the work, and tell yourself you can worry about the 'should haves' and 'if onlys' after the deadline. Focus on just getting it done, and try to be in the present moment if you can. Get yourself lost in the story, in the art.

However, if deadlines are a way off, or if you have no deadlines (or their self-imposed) - allow yourself to slow down. Go do something else. Read a book, watch a film, go do another hobby that can give you that longer distance. Perhaps it might even inspire you to go back to writing afterwards!

Which leads into my next possible solution:

Finding the drive to create from other aspects of life

However you do this is up to you, but find other things you are interested in, and just immerse yourself in someone else's world for a while. Read books, watch films, play video games. Listen to music. Visit an art gallery or museum. Take a walk outside. Open a window and watch the world go by. Listen to a stranger's conversation in public spaces. See a play. Taste some nice food. Watch nature. Chat with friends.

Not only will this take you out of your own head for a bit and distract you, but it can help with thinking about things from a different perspective.

Even going to sleep early and trying again tomorrow might be the thing your brain needs to reboot.

In my own situation, I finally discovered that part of the reason why I was struggling to write, was because I hadn't watched or read anything in a while.

So by solving the reason why I wasn't reading or watching, I was able to then do those things first. And then, after some months of immersing myself in other people's creative worlds, I was able to come back to my own with fresh eyes, and a lot more drive to create for myself.

Tricking myself into enjoying the process again, rather than worrying about the end result, or how long it would take.

Getting my first work published was a life-changing moment. In some ways, this was a very good thing. For the first time in my life, I was writing to a real audience who I knew would experience my work. It was no longer an aspiration or dream, it was a reality, and it made me take my work very seriously. And to challenge myself to level up my writing. Now I was writing professionally, I had to get good. And continue to try to get good.

-But that was also, as well as being a good thing, part of the problem. I was taking my work very seriously. Almost too seriously.

And after publishing a work, I found it very difficult to work on anything new afterwards. Immediately, I was thinking about the finished work for this brand new story - and looking at a blank page or a rough draft was overwhelming. All I could see what what it should look like once I was done - and it was daunting.

It's like preparing to climb a mountain, looking at the very top and thinking 'that's way too high, I might as well go home, I can't get up there'.

I had to teach myself to take things slow again, to take my writing step by step, to not think about the end result - not yet.

Comparing the beginning of your work to and end result, is always going to make you feel terrible.

-Small steps is key. Don't think about publishing. Don't think about finishing. Think about what your current step is, nothing else. Whether that's coming up with the initial ideas, mind-mapping, outlining, a draft zero, a first draft, second draft - just slow down to smell the flowers where you are at the moment. What excites you about what writing stage you're at? What feels like home about being in this moment, right now? And if it doesn't feel nice, what can you do right now to make this stage of the writing process more comfortable for you?

Sometimes, just embracing the small things can make all the difference. Listening to a piece of inspirational music, giving yourself a comfortable chair or blanket, having a nice beverage or food, re-reading a favourite line or sentence - even giving your story fancy formatting (you can change it later) or a new interesting font can trick your brain into finding THIS part of the writing process EXCITING!

-And then you have to try to write. Try.

After taking one small step, the next difficult challenge is to take the next one.

Often these past few years, I would get to the first step of being ready to write, to feel ready - and then not actually make any progress. Not even one word.

To counter this, I've found the best thing to do is to give myself a soft deadline.

What do I mean by a soft deadline? I mean you set yourself a goal. A small goal. This could be 'I aim to write something - no matter how small - each day'. It could be a set number of words, or writing for a set amount of time. Try and reward yourself if you succeed in this soft deadline - but don't punish yourself for missing it. Just try again the next day. Tomorrow is always a new day to try.

Lastly, consider if your mental health/other health issues are a cause. Work on this first.

This was definitely the case for me. The last time I wrote anything for the intention of publication was before a number of upheavals in my life. In the space of two years, I was trying to cope with not only chronic depression and anxiety, but a number of major life events, and newly developed chronic fatigue. This was also happening around the time that covid-19 also first showed up.

When I reflect on this, it's no wonder I stopped writing and struggled to get back into it. This can happen to any of us. And it's important to address it rather than trying to 'get back to normal' and push through.

Find some people to talk to, talk to a health professional, don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is hard (and it never stops being hard), but it's also one of the bravest things you can do.

I've found working on myself to be a huge help in working on my story writing. And it took a long time, and was very hard. But it was worth it. It's still an ongoing process, but I'm already noticing a change.

After some years of getting onto medication, I've finally found the right one (and now at the right dose!) to be able to start writing again. No longer am I losing my concentration before I've even begun.

Sometimes we just need that extra bit of help from people, to rediscover ourselves. And to start to rebuild.

And by rebuilding, I've discovered new ways to get back into the swing of writing.

And -

last last last of all:

Maybe we'll stop writing again. And that's okay.

Every time you find yourself struggling to write, just remember: you can try again.

It's okay. We'll be okay.

[unknownwriter404]

All of my writing is slow burn...

Not because I want it to be, I just suck at pacing, lmao

[averyhungrycaterpiller]

A Complete Character Development Profile (redo)

- When filling out my own character template for my oc, I realised there was so much I missed, so I did a redo

Section 1: Basic Identity

Personal Information

Full Legal Name:

Stage/Preferred Name:

Aliases/Online Personas:

Name Origins and feelings

Did they choose or inherit their name:

Meaning (linguistically, cultural, familial):

Do they feel like fit their name:

Any resentment or pride around their name?

Do they hesitate before introducing themselves? Why?:

Nicknames and Titles

Current nicknames:

Who uses them and in what tone:

Nickname they hate but tolerate:

Nickname they miss hearing:

Professional titles or honorific’s:

Age Profile

Chronological age:

Mental age:

Emotional age:

Age they appear:

Age they feel:

Age related feelings

DO they feel behind or ahead of peers?:

How do they relate to others their age?:

Do they lie about their age? Why?:

Gender identity

Assigned at birth:

Current identity:

How they embody their gender:

Have they explored or questioned it?:

Do they surprise aspects of their gender:

Do they correct misperceptions? How:

How do others perceive their gender:

Sexual Orientation

How they identity:

Are they open about this:

Are any internal conflicts or journeys of discovery:

Current living situations

Where they live:

Type of dwelling:

Who they live with:

How long they’ve been there:

Environmental impact

What their space smells like:

Soundscape of their area:

How the environment has shaped them:

Do they know the shortcuts and hidden sports:

Do they feel connected or displaced:

Dream living situation:

Birthday and celebrations

Birthday:

Zodiac sign:

Do they believe in astrology:

Birthday feelings and traditions

How they celebrate:

Do they dread or enjoy birthdays?

first birthday they remember:

Worst birthday experience:

Do they tell people hen their birthday is?

How they feel about surprise celebrations:

Section 2: Personality Deep Dive

Internal Srengths

Primary strengths:

How it manifests:

Do they recognise it as a strengths:

External strengths

Primary strengths:

How it manifests:

Has this strengths ever backfired on them? How:

Hidden strengths (ones they don’t recognise in themselves)

Primary weaknesses

What is it:

Is it a flaw or defence mechanism:

How to they hide it:

How their weakness effects others

How their behaviour Echoes in a room:

Are others protective or exploitive of their weaknesses:

Psychological Profile

MBTI Type:

Enneagram type:

Core childhood wound:

How this derived their behaviour:

How it manifests in

Conflict:

Decision-making:

Daily Routine:

Big 5 Personality traits each on a 1-5 scale)

Openness:

Conscientiousness:

Extraversion:

Agreeableness:

Neuroticism:

Do any traits clash with each other?:

Character Archetype

Which archetype do you think they are:

Which archetype would they think they are:

Emotional Landscape

Attatchment style:

How it manifests

In conflict:

When needing others:

Do they test people of cut them off quickly:

Primary fears (physical)

What is it:

Triggers:

Physical responses:

Primary fears (Emotional)

What is it:

Specific triggers:

Physical response:

How they rationalise this fear:

Core memories: Happy

What happened:

Associated textures/smells/songs

Would they share this with others:

Core memories: Sad

What happened:

How it shows up in dreams/habits/reactions today:

Would they rewrite it or cling to is as part of their identity:

Object of significance

What is it:

Condition of the object:

What this condition represents:

Associated memory or person:

Beliefs and philosophy

Core beliefs:

How they justify their morals:

Do they act in line with their beliefs or just speak them:

Do they believe in fate:

If not, how do they explain the unexplainable:

Confidence and self perfection

Where their confidence is real:

Where their confidence is armour:

Do they crumble when unseen or rejected:

How they see themselves vs how others see them:

Section 3: Goals dreams and motivations

Current goals

Surface level goal:

What it’s really about:

Obstacles in their way:

What they’re willing to sacrifice for it:

Long term dreams

Big dream they’ve never spoken aloud:What haven’t they shared it:

Is this dream inherited or self born:

What would achieving it mean to them:

Shame and pride

What they’re embarrassed to tell others:

Why is this shameful to them:

Source of pride:

What accomplishment do they cling to when feeling worthless:

Do they overplay or minimise their accomplishments:

Regrets and pain points

Petty regrets:

Large scale regrets:

Which ones keep them up at night:

Source of misery (the unscratchable itch in their soul)

Admiration and envy

What they admire above all else:

Person who embodies their unmet potential:

Trait they mock in others but secretly envy:

Section 4: Mental Health and coping

Mental health

Diagnosed conditions:

Undiagnosed conditions they might have:

How long diagnosed/untreated:

Do they deny it or medicate it:

How it manifests for them specifically:

Coping mechanisms

Healthy coping strategies:

Unhealthy coping strategies:

Crisis response:

Who they call in a crisis:

Intelligence and emotional processing

IQ (estimated):

EQ (estimated):

How they intelligence isolates or connects them:

Do they weaponise their emotional intelligence:

Humour style

What makes them laugh when no one else does:

What humour makes them uncomfortable:

Do they use humour as a defense mechanism:

Section 5: Behavioural Patterns and Habits

Daily habits and routines

Morning routine:

Evening routine:

Work/productivity habits:

Self care habits:

Bad habits

Sensory tics:

Toxic coping:

Avoidance ritual:

When do they allow these habits in front of others:

Behavioural tells

When stressed:

When content:

When scared:

Normal state:

Verbal Mannerisms

Do they use rhetorical questions!

Sarcasm level:

Do they complete sentence or often drift off in thought:

Precise or vague in speech:

Do they often mirror others:

What they say vs what they don’t

Truth they always avoid:

What they overstate to distract:

Are they brutally honest or do they sugar coat:

Physical presence

How they move across a room:

How much space they take up:

Are they aware of their physical presence:

Posture and body language:

Expressions of love and care

How they show love:

Do they know their actions make others feel loved:

What they need to feel loved:

Section 6: Hobbies and Interests

Current hobbies

Public hobbies (ones they don’t hide):

Secret hobbies (tell few to no people):

Hobbies they wish they had more time for:

How they feel whilst doing hobbies:

Skills and talents

Natural talents:

Learned skills:

Skills they’re working on:

Skills they’ve abandoned:

Section 7: Physical Appearance

Defining features

What a police sketch would capture:

Parts of their body they highlight:

Parts of their body they hide:

Facial features

Face shape:

Nose shape:

Eye shape:

Eye colour:

Lip shape:

Eyebrow shape:

Eyelash length/thickness:

Body details

Height:

Weight:

Body type/shape:

Skin tone:

Skin details:

Tattoos:

Piercings:

Facial hair:

Body hair:

Style and presentation

Clothing style:

Signature detail:

How much effort they put into their appearance:

What’s habit vs performance:

Personal preference vs societal pressure:

Self perception and others reactions

Why do they dress (to disappear, seduce, intimidate etc)

Their opinion of their appearance:

Their most attractive feature in their opinion:

Body part the obsess over:

Are they conventionally attractive:

How they handle compliments:

How they handle stares:

The vibe they give off

What music would play when they’re introduced in a movie:

What do people assume about them based on looks:

Are those assumptions correct:

What type of people are drawn to their vibe:

How do they react to that attention:

Section 8: Relationships and social connections

Trust and loyalty

Person they trust most:

Why they trust them:

Was this trust earned or given easily:

How they test trust:

What they wish they could to for this person:

What’s holding them back:

Conflict and animosity

Person they hate the most:

What they wish they could do to them:

How this hatred affects their daily life:

Family dynamics

Biological family structure:

Relationship with parents/guardians

Mother/maternal figure:

Father/paternal figure

Quality of relationship:

Siblings

Number and ages:

Relationship quality:

Birth order effects:

Extended family

Family members they avoid:

Family secrets or dynamics!

Chosen family:

How their chosen family differs from biological:

Friendships

Best friend:

How they met:

What they value in this friendship:

Friend group dynamics

Size of social circle:

Role they play in the group:

Group activities:

Childhood friends still in their life:

Friends they’ve lost and why:

How they make new friends:

What they need from friendships:

Professional relationships

Work/school relationships:

Mentors:

People who believe in the

Professional reputation:

Romantic relationships

Current relationship status:

Relationship history:

What they seek in a partner:

What they believe love should look like:

Relationship patterns:

How they behave when in love:

How they handle breakups:

Deal breakers in relationships:

Social expectations and roles

What others expect of them:

Roles they’ve earned vs inherited vs resent:

Where they belong:

Where they pretend to belong:

Non human bonds

Relationship with animals:

Significant objects:

Connection to places:

Spiritual or supernatural beliefs:

Section 9: Background and history

Childhood and upbringing

Where they grew up:

Type of community:

Socioeconomic background:

Families reputation in the community:

Were they known, invisible, praised or feared:

Childhood environment

Sensory memories:

Neighbourhood dynamics:

Safety level:

Cultural influences:

Defining incidence

Stories they retell:

Stories they never tell:

Pivotal childhood moments

When they realised something was wrong in the world:

When they realised there is good in the world:

First time they felt truly seen:

First major disappointment:

Education and development

Educational background:

Academic performance:

Favourite subjects:

Teachers who influenced them:

Extracurricular activities:

Notable people from their past

Person who made them feel they could become something:

Person who made them feel small:

First crush:

Childhood hero:

Early role models:

Major accomplishment

What they minimise:

What they overplay:

Trauma and loss

How they carry it:

Do they use it as a weapon, warning or wound:

How it’s shaped their worldview:

Life changing moments:

Biggest regrets:

Moments of triumph:

Current life context

How they view their past:

What they’ve learned about themselves:

What they’re still learning:

Section 10: current life and daily reality

Living situation

Current home:

How they feel about their space:

Personal belonging that matter most:

How they maintain their space:

Financial reality

Current financial situation:

How money shapes their decisions:

How they treat expensive things:

Financial goals or fears:

Relationship with money:

Daily life and routine

Typical structure:

Morning person or night own:

How they spend free time:

Daily stressors:

Daily joys:

Current challenges

Biggest current problem:

What they’re working on improving:

What they’re avoiding dealing with:

Support systems they have:

Support systems they need:

Future outlook

Where they see themselves in 5 years:

What they’re most excited about:

What they’re most worried about:

Changed they want to make:

What’s holding them back from change:

[unknownwriter404]

I want to be a better writer, but it's hard when it's:

• 5% cool shit that you think of

• 95% filler to justify the cool shit

[solarsthoughts]

really really wanting to write because it’s liberating but being too burnt out to do so… like brain, chill and let me do my thing please, you’re being kinda rude 😔

[elizaellwrites]

I feel this so much. I get so burnt out during the school year and all my writing energy is put into essays and presentations. It’s like the creativity is sucked out of my soul for 9ish months of the year