I do enjoy the "post-surgical recovery interview as in-universe character creation" device where it's implied that whatever happened messed you up so badly the doctors genuinely couldn't tell what age or gender you were before the Incident, so they just sort of guessed.
Make sure not to overload every character with traits, giving each main character one specific trait is going to go a lot further by making it memorable
speaking fast, stumbling over their words, having to backtrack
rolling R's
sharp pronunciations (t instead of d, z instead of s, k instead of g...)
rounded pronounciaions (d instead of t, ...)
quiet / loud speaker
humming frequently in between words or sentences
very well articulated
stuttering
often pausing to thin before speaking
croaky voice
regional accents
slow / fast speaker
using certain words a lot
not lowering voice at the end of sentences, leaving them sounding a little like a question or an open ended statement
Kind of a surprise since i forgot to post any wips while working on her but my Rosie suit is complete! She’s my 2nd suit and im very happy with how she turned out!
For characters with a strong emotional bond: What could make them hate each other? What could make either of them go against their ideals just to hurt the other?
For characters who would like nothing more than to kill each other: What could make them work together? What could make either of them sacrifice themselves and everything they were fighting for to save the other?
Developing fictional relationships that feel authentic takes more than dialogue and grand gestures. Every detail below can be used to show platonic, familial, agape, or romantic love depending on context.
cooking a meal for someone, bringing them food, or spontaneously sharing a snack
sharing body heat/warming someone with outerwear like jackets and scarves
fanning them with something if overheated
getting a cold/hot drink for them
offering to carry something, whether it's heavy or just a jacket, to lighten someone's load or free up their hands
more below the click!
changing the subject of a group conversation that will be personally discomforting to someone in the group
making sure to include someone in a group conversation, especially if it's a topic they have special knowledge of
waiting for someone to catch up when the rest of the group has walked ahead
remembering preferences/allergies ahead of time when preparing/ordering food
planning trips, whether in a pair or as a group, that provide something positive for every individual to enjoy
procuring personal healthcare items like sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, pain relievers, or a snack and keeping them on hand for that friend who frequently needs them
making room for someone in a crowded vehicle or on public transit
making room for someone under an awning or in another limited space to help them avoid bad weather
warning or wordlessly covering for someone with a wardrobe/cosmetic malfunction
remembering a small luxury someone mentioned they enjoy, and getting it for them the next time it's convenient
running an errand for someone to make their day easier ('importance of errand : depth of relationship' ratio should be explored)
escorting someone to safety in a sudden unsettling event
escorting someone who is drunk, sick, infirm, injured, or emotionally compromised
asking if light, noise, or other sensory factors are bothering someone and taking steps to make them more comfortable
getting gag gifts for someone to show you reciprocate their sense of humor or quirky self-expression (not everyone does this, not everyone appreciates it, and some people predominantly express love through humor and gag gifts; works well with some characters more than others)
holding someone's hand or arm as reassurance, especially when they are afraid*
using their body to block someone from wind, rain, or heat
picking up a dropped item, or carrying a train or other dragging garment for someone else
returning a recognizable possession to someone who may have lost it
This is an inexhaustible list as humans have many ways of showing love for each other. If you are writing spec fic with non-human characters, you can play with variations on these by remembering three core values the "lover" has to consider:
physical comfort of others
emotional comfort of others
social reputation of others
I'd add "sensory comfort" though I think it's tied to physical and emotional comfort.
Please do not try and force any of these into the mold of the misogyny-based "Love Language" trend. Human emotions and expressions of love are diverse and endless.
*While hand holding can be construed as romantic, in reality it varies. Some cultures do not see this as romantic, and some individuals only mean it as a sign of support or compassion. Same goes for long embraces and kissing, both can be done platonically and of course naturally between close family members or friends.
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