Personality Generator

What a personality gives a story

A personality is a set of habits of choice. It is the thing that lets a reader predict what a character will do in a new situation, and be surprised when they do something else. Each sketch here gives you three layers: the surface, which is how the character comes across; the behaviour under pressure, which is what they do when the surface fails; and the blind spot, which is the thing they cannot see about themselves.

The temperament filter picks the starting colour of the surface. It is not a type to obey. A warm character with a hidden fear of being alone is a better character than a warm character with nothing underneath, and the sketches are written to include that second layer on purpose.

Writing the personality instead of listing it

Readers believe what they see a character do, not what the narrator says. Take one line from the sketch and turn it into an action in a scene. "They answer questions with shorter questions" is a trait; a dinner scene in which a character is asked where they were last night and replies with "Why do you ask?" is a personality.

Pressure scenes are where a personality shows. Put the character in a situation that makes their usual strategy fail, such as a calm character who cannot hurry a slow decision, or a cheerful character who has to deliver bad news, and watch what the behaviour under pressure looks like on the page.

Finally, let the blind spot cost something. If the character's blind spot never causes a problem, it is only a detail. Decide which scene it ruins, and what it takes for the character to see it, even a little. That change is the arc of the character.

Keeping a personality consistent

Consistency is not the same as predictability. A well-written character acts in line with their personality even when the action surprises the reader, because the surprise can be explained afterwards. After a few chapters, reread only the character's dialogue and actions and ask whether each one could belong to the sketch. Where it does not, either fix the scene or admit that the character has changed, and show what changed them. Readers forgive a character who changes for a reason, and they notice at once when one changes for the convenience of the plot.

Ten example personality sketches

• Warm Easy company and quick to laugh. They feed anyone who walks in, and under pressure they say yes to everything. Blind spot: they mistake being needed for being loved. They also count the exits in every room.
• Guarded Others see a cool, unreadable stranger. In truth, they expect to be left. Under pressure they go cold and precise, and they also keep a stone in their pocket.
• Driven Ambitious, exact and always moving. They plan holidays like campaigns and walk fast and talk faster. Under pressure they take over the task. What they need: to rest without earning it.
• Calm Others see a rock, but they are exhausted by being the steady one. Blind spot: they never say what they want. What they need: to ask for help once without apologising.
• Volatile Loves loudly and fights loudly. They slam doors and then apologise, and under pressure they leave the room. Blind spot: they think intensity is the same as truth. They also hum the same four notes.
• Playful Others see a delightful nuisance. In truth, they worry that nobody would stay if they stopped being funny. Under pressure they joke until the room relaxes, and they also clean when they are anxious.
• Warm Others see a tireless helper, but they feel guilty whenever they say no. Blind spot: they cannot accept a gift. What they need: to let a friend cook for them.
• Guarded Says little and notices everything. They give gifts instead of compliments, and under pressure they tidy everything within reach. Blind spot: they push away the people who would help. They also walk home the long way.
• Driven Others see a polished professional. In truth, they have no idea who they are without a title. Under pressure they list everything that went wrong, and they also put their keys in the same dish every night.
• Calm A harbour for other people's storms. They make tea in an emergency and go to bed at the same hour whatever happens. Under pressure they fall apart privately and in good order. What they need: to admit that they are tired.