Where to Find Thousands of Great Character Ideas
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If you want to write characters that jump off the page and into readers’ hearts...
If you’re struggling to create rich, memorable fictional characters...
If you want to take your writing to the next level...
This could be...
The Most Important Letter You’ll Ever Read Before You Write Your Next Story!
“The techniques in this ebook... They’ve transformed my own stories from dry sequences of events, into characters that feel like real people and stories that feel like they actually happened.”
—J. Timothy King,Story Consultant,BeTheStory.com
From J. Timothy King
Story Consultant, BeTheStory.com
Dear Aspiring Fiction Author,
Why do some writers seem to have a never-ending supply of wonderful characters? Meanwhile, you struggle with yours. Why is it, no matter how hard you try, your characters still come out feeling flat?
Here’s why: Because those writers know the professional secrets of creating rich, memorable characters. Character is the single most important aspect of a story, because if you have compelling characters, you can get away with numerous mistakes elsewhere in your writing. All apiring writers must know the secrets of characterization, in order to make their fiction salable, including how to find exactly the right character trait, just when you need it.
The good news is that character traits are just ideas, and ideas are incredibly easy to come by— once you know how to find them. You can have as many character ideas as you want, because raw ideas are a dime a dozen.
What if you had a magic “idea box,” and when you opened it up, character ideas just started pouring out? What would that do for your writing? If you had a magic idea box, you could:
Produce rich, 3-dimensional characters that readers will remember, because you will make readers laugh, cry, and feel for your characters.
Cut your writing time in half (or better), because you’ll know exactly where you are with each of your characters and exactly how to deal with any obstacles that arise.
Permanently overcome a major source of “writer’s block&rdquo: not knowing how your characters fit into the story.
Virtually eliminate the frustration of creating characters and the fear that your characters will never be good enough.
Increase your writing prowess, and earn kudos from other writers.
Exercise your creative muscle, and make yourself more creative.
Write fictional characters that people want to get to know and to talk about.
Create characters that intrigue and excite you.
Here’s the thing: The magic “idea box” is for real. There actually is a writing tool that can help you do all these things. So what is this powerful writing tool? It starts with something every writer needs, and something you may even have already started. I’m talking about a character journal. A character journal is a long list of character traits. Whenever you need an idea, you go to the journal, and it helps you find the right character trait.
But a tool accomplishes nothing unless one knows how to wield it. And that is the secret to creating winning fictional characters with this tool, how to cash in on your character journal. Once you grasp this truth, you’ll appreciate that ideas really are only worth “a dime a dozen,” because you’ll have more great ideas coming to you than you ever thought possible.
I want to kick-start your character journal with 1001 Character Quirks.
Or if you already have a character journal, you can add these character traits to it. This is a list of 1001 bona-fide character traits, “ready to use” in your own stories. Traits like:
8. Denies any fact that does not fit into his theory of how things work.
15. Instantly knows what others feel.
24. Disorganized (but always knows where everything is).
35. Always hides cash in his sock, shorts, bra, etc.
40. Becomes excited at the prospect of watching a movie, skydiving, eating chocolate, playing the stock market, etc.
59. Always breaks things, trips over things, etc.
63. Feels familial affection for or attraction to cats, horses, cows, etc.
75. Distrusts people who talk with an accent, have blue eyes, can’t remember his name, etc.
84. Refuses to fight with anyone wearing glasses, smaller than himself, etc.
90. Insists everyone call him by a different name each day, depending on his mood.
104. Believes that God is a sham created by the clergy to get money.
115. Always bragging about past accomplishments, even made-up ones.
122. Refuses to use microwaves, cell phones, computers, etc.
138. Rude to everyone.
143. Professes multiple, incompatible religions.
159. Overly sensitive sense of smell, hearing, sight, etc.
163. Hobnobs with a certain person only in private.
174. Always looking for a cure for a disease or condition he has.
188. Shouts “I’m here!” (or something else) when startled.
194. Speaks every errant thought.
209. Upset when faced with a messy room.
217. Tall, but envies those who are short. (Or the reverse.)
223. Never laughs; treats every joke as though it were serious.
232. Always laughs at the wrong things; offbeat sense of humor.
248. Must control everyone and everything.
254. Carries batteries (and toys) with him everywhere.
266. Carries cookies in his purse.
271. Makes Batman noises (e.g. Bam!, Pow!, etc.) at an antagonist to express anger, dissatisfaction, etc.
284. Has 2 differently colored eyes.
291. Never asks for help; always tries to do everything himself.
305. Knows many facts in his expertise, and always corrects everyone else.
312. Always sucking on a Certs or lollipop, munching on pretzels, etc.
329. Relates everything to a fable or allegory.
334. Always replies to any email within 24 hours.
347. Nudist.
355. Loves playing catch with kittens.
361. Always uses a handkerchief to touch a public telephone, chair, etc.
376. Lives to role-play.
385. Reads every newspaper and website; watches every news program.
397. Always gets off on a tangent, tirade, etc.
405. Eats Buffalo-sauce-and-Blue-cheese burgers, mustard sandwiches, etc.
412. Frequently says the wrong word, makes Freudian slips, etc.
420. Hates to sweat, and is turned off by people who sweat profusely.
434. Can drive at excessive speed, weaving in and out of traffic, without getting in an accident.
446. Loves to sing “99 Bottles of Beer,” etc.
459. Names and becomes attached to stuffed animals, caterpillars, rocks, raindrops on the window, etc.
461. Takes every question as a criticism (or complement).
473. Always works very hard, but has no concrete goals.
486. Never talks about his past (or future).
491. Insists on remaining the same, even while everyone else is changing.
507. Always says he worked hard, in order to justify the result of his work.
514. Feels no sadness, anger, nervousness, etc., but can fake it pretty well.
523. Wakes promptly at 6 PM; falls asleep at 10 AM.
535. Prattles on about trivia when there are significant matters to discuss.
544. Willing to do anything for information (if for a greater purpose).
559. Could never accept that his close friend has a fatal flaw, even if true.
564. Can’t swallow pills.
573. Never expresses his feelings about someone else, until they explode.
580. Becomes depressed unless given a steady stream of positive feedback.
598. Always faces an emergency by taking command of the situation.
603. Has drawn up a list of transgressions and a revenge appropriate for each.
618. Turned on by any woman’s name (or man’s) with a certain sound in it.
623. Believes Tupperware parties, AA meetings, etc. are actually planning meetings for a secret underground conspiracy.
631. Always knocking things, leaving things on the floor.
645. One day each week, instead of working in the office, takes his laptop and works in the park, coffee shop, etc.
656. Brags about a new game he made up using a see-saw.
664. “It’ll never make any difference” only strengthens his resolve.
670. Has psoriasis on his scalp, underarms, private areas, etc., and scratches.
689. Loathes to be photographed.
696. Always treats everyone with respect, no matter their class or station.
709. Becomes mired in grief when his favorite fictional character dies.
718. Asks for exactly the same thing over and over, even after being told repeatedly that it’s infeasible, impossible, unavailable, etc.
724. Agrees quickly (by silence), but later comes to a different conclusion.
733. Sees all art as “whatever you interpret it as,” including family photos.
743. Practically gives money away, knowing it will come back manyfold.
755. Brilliant strategist; always seems to have planned for any contingency.
760. Easily deceived by anyone who uses words he doesn’t understand.
774. Always finds an excuse not to tell a woman how he feels about her.
788. Always tweaks what he’s already completed, to make it better.
795. Needs to be the center of attention.
809. Accomplished illusionist. (But uses this skill only subversively.)
816. Always looks and acts stupid, but is a passionate master persuader.
824. His online persona is of a different age, sex, etc.
831. Can find happiness with any lover.
845. Prefers computer sex to the real thing.
852. Loves to wear costume jewelry, tricked out clothing, etc.
867. Raises chickens, pigs, etc.
877. Has a crush on Underdog, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.
883. Can’t stand to do the same thing day after day.
895. Intensely passionate in what they pursue and believe.; frequently blowing up or screaming because of this passion.
904. Will accept almost anything as “normal,” once it is explained to him.
912. Always wants someone to help him, even with the simplest tasks.
928. Always forms an emotional attachment to fine cars, collectibles, etc., even if owned by someone else, and feels slighted if the they are mistreated.
930. Never looks a person in the eye, and always talks in a monotone voice.
944. Always tries to be nice, and always ends up insulting someone.
959. Always gets others to agree first to something he doesn’t want, knowing it will make it easier to get them to agree later to what he does want.
964. Loves sailing, motorboating, yachting, waterskiing, etc.
977. Puts maple syrup, salt, butter, etc. on everything.
985. Always offended when he discovers that someone listened to him just to shut him up (and then didn’t follow his advice).
992. Miriam Stockley’s song “Perfect Day” makes him cry, feel happy, etc.
Of course, that’s just a fraction of the 1001 Character Quirks in the list. (Literally, the 100 character traits above are less than a tenth the entire list of 1001 quirks.)
It used to be that if you wanted a list of ideas, you had to collect them yourself, over a long period of time. Because no one would let you in on their list of ideas. Most writers never give away their ideas.
There are various reasons why writers keep their ideas to themselves. Some feel a sense of ownership in their ideas. Others are afraid that someone else will get rich and famous off of their ideas. And still others realize how hard they work coming up with good ideas, and don’t want others to benefit from their hard work.
But these are just raw ideas, and raw ideas are useless without the knowledge of how to use them.
“... much more than just a list of character quirks”
As hard as it is to come up with great ideas, the raw ideas are actually the easy part. The hard part is taking those ideas and turning them into a story. Because even if you had all the ideas in the world, ideas can’t write your story for you. Only you can do that.
That’s why I’ve compiled this brand new PDF ebook, 1001 Character Quirks for Writing Fiction, with much more than just a list of character quirks. It includes:
1001 Character Quirks ready to use in real stories.
The single biggest mistake writers make with quirks, and the secret to using them effectively.
10 ways to enhance character with quirks.
12 techniques you can use to generate your own character ideas.
8 tips on how to multiply quirks, so you can turn these 1001 quirks into 2000, 3000, 10000, or as many as you want.
A 3-stage character-development process you can use to create realistic and interesting characters.
A quick-list of 35 questions you can ask to give your character depth, and which questions not to ask.
A simple, 5-step writing process you can use to turn any character into a story, even if you’ve never written a story before.
An actual fictional character, soup to nuts, including a snippet from a finished story starring the character.
Numerous concrete examples and enlightening anecdotes.
Free downloads of future editions of the ebook.
On top of that, I want to include a free subscription to my “Writer’s Tips” e-Newsletter. This is full of storytelling tips, tricks, secrets, and exclusive offers, only available to customers. And I’m including it free with 1001 Character Quirks.
And after all that, if you still don’t believe me that raw ideas are only worth a dime a dozen, I’m ready to put my money where my mouth is.
I want to you to have 1001 Character Quirks for literally a dime a dozen.
That’s the value of a list of 1001 character ideas, right? 1001 quirks at 10 cents per dozen. But as I said, the ebook is not just a list of character ideas. It also includes the 3-stage characterization process, the 35-question characterization quick-list, 10 ways to enhance character, 12 techniques to generate more quirks, 8 tips on multiplying quirks, and everything else listed above. And still, that’s not good enough...
Because as part of this introductory offer, on this never-before-published ebook, I’m slashing 20% off that price. That works out to only 8 cents a dozen, for 1001 character ideas... or $6.67.
I'm conducting this offer through ClickBank, so it supports ClickBank's return and cancellation policy.
But it’s much more likely you’ll want to tell others about 1001 Character Quirks.
As I said, this is the first time this ebook has been released to the public. That’s why I need testimonials from writers like you, who are eager to be among the first to take advantage of this new writing tool.
So as part of this special, introductory offer, I want to give you a chance to upgrade to the printed version of 1001 Character Quirks—a $14.47 value—for free, in exchange for a simple testimonial that I can use in my future marketing.
Within 90 days after ordering the ebook, write me a testimonial. (And I can help you put it together.) I just need a couple sentences or a paragraph telling specifically what 1001 Character Quirks did for your writing.
Email me the testimonial, and provide shipping for the printed book, and I’ll ship your book to you as soon as I can... (And “shipping” is only what the US Postal Service charges me to mail the book. There are no hidden charges. I take care of handling, packing materials, everything else, including the book itself.)
Actually, there’s more, because the printed version of 1001 Character Quirks also includes a free copy of the ebook. So when you upgrade, yes, I’ll ship your book to you as soon as I can. But you also get a free download of the ebook PDF, which you can give to a friend.
Time is running out on this introductory offer.
I only need to get enough testimonials to go into a full-fledged marketing campaign with 1001 Character Quirks. As soon as I’m on track to get these testimonials, this offer will end. I could drop it at any time, so act now while you have the chance. Just click the link below to order your copy through ClickBank. You'll then be redirected to a page where you can instantly download the PDF file. (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it.)
Yes, Tim. I’d like to take advantage of this special, introductory offer to download 1001 Character Quirks at the discounted 20%-off price of $6.67. I understand that I get:
An instant download of the 1001 Character Quirks ebook PDF file, which includes numerous tutorials and examples.
Free downloads of any future editions of the ebook (if there are any).
A free subscription to your Writer’s Tips e-Newsletter.
The 90-day testimonial offer, an opportunity to get a free printed copy of 1001 Character Quirks—a $14.47 value—including a free download of the ebook I can give to a friend.
I can order the 1001 Character Quirks ebook from your online Web Shop, and to start the process, I just need to click the link below:
Click here to Order 1001 Character Quirks.
By the way, I know that you’ll love 1001 Character Quirks because of one proven reason... because it’s part of my own writing process. All the techniques in this ebook I use myself in my own writing. They’ve transformed my own stories from dry sequences of events, into characters that feel like real people and stories that feel like they actually happened.
And the best part of all this is that my own stories now excite me myself, more than they ever did before. I actually feel like I know my characters, like they’re my children. It’s a feeling every writer should experience at least once in his life.
Still Writing...
P.S. Because characterization is such an important skill to develop, 1001 Character Quirks will immediately improve your writing, by giving it an edge that other writers have to work years to acquire.
P.P.S. You never again need bang your head against a wall trying to figure out what to write, because with the ideation techniques you’ll discover in 1001 Character Quirks, you’ll always have the right idea when you need it.
P.P.P.S. Remember, you can download 1001 Character Quirks for 20% off the normal price. And on top of that, I’ll give you a free printed copy, in exchange for a simple testimonial. But this is a special, introductory offer, just until I receive enough testimonials. This offer could end at any time, so click the "Order" link above, right now!
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