Ok...here's in the first Character survey of the Main Character of my story. Some of these answers may or may not make a lot of sense to you (or may be repeated answers to be quite honest). I had to delete some pieces from the original survey because I didn't want to give away too much of the story yet!
AND - I'd love for you to ask me some questions about the character! Think of things that are random and/or something you would ask a real-life person. I want to flesh out these characters as much as possible...but I'm terrible of thinking of things!
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*Name: Emma Gregor
*Age: 17
*Nationality: White; American
*Hometown: Smalltown, Michigan
*Current Residence: Smalltown, North Carolina
*Occupation: None at the moment
*Talents/Skills: Tennis, volleyball (played in HS in MI)...not much else. Not motivated to try other things at the moment
*Siblings: None
*Grandparents (Describe relationship): Both sets from NC. Father's side died years ago, mother's side still resides in NC...but currently on a road trip across the states. Emma has never really met her grandparents.
*Significant others: None at the moment
*Relationship skills: Can become quite sociable if have to, but since the death of her father has trouble making new friends or opening up. Does try to push her grief to the back of her mind because she feels she cannot express her grief to anyone. Once she makes friends with Anna, Ethan and their group, will become more open to them...but still not really to anyone else.
*Height: 5'4"
*Weight: 120lbs
*Race: White
*Eye Color: Green
*Hair Color: Brunette
*Glasses/contacts? No
*Skin color: Not pale, but not tan - a light tan?
*Shape of face: heart-shaped
*Distinguishing features:
*How do they dress? Emma dresses more for comfort...but still remains 'stylish'.
*Mannerisms: Quiet, reserved, realist, almost shy, cynical
*Habits (smoking, drinking, etc): none
*Health: In good health. Doesn't really exercise...but does eat pretty healthy for a teenager
*Hobbies: None at the moment
*Favorite sayings: None
*Speech patterns: N/A
*Disabilities: None
*Style (elegant, shaggy, etc): Comfortable but 'in-style'
*Greatest flaw: Not believing in herself
*Best quality: Very loyal
*Educational background: Just your average education.
*Intelligence level: Not a genius, but certainly not dumb. Tries to learn in anyway she can...and slightly above average intellectually
*Any mental illness? None
*Learning experiences: Since her father's death, she has learned the value of life and the past and to not take either for granted. She will also learn the value of believing in yourself and others.
*How does the character see themself? As your average, everyday teenager. Doesn't really believe she is special in anyway
*How does the character believe they are perceived by others? The same
*How self-confident is the character? She isn't very self-conscious...but still doesn't feel she is "special"
*Does the character seem ruled by emotion, logic, or some combination? Both: she listens to both her head and her heart
*Weaknesses: Cynical, reserved, not believing in herself, not opening up to others
*Strengths: Loyal, honest, physically healthy, can stand up for what she believes in if pushed too far
*How does character deal with anger?: By bottling it up or letting it go.
*With sadness? Bottling up, will not show sadness to anyone - will express it alone by crying (if frustrated)
*With conflict? Tries to avoid conflict at all costs, but will stand up for herself if needed
*With change? Usually does not effect, or she tries to not let it effect her. she sees change as something that happens in life. Big changes, however, takes her a little longer to deal with (by just...'dealing')
*With loss? Tries to put it in the back of her mind. Will not think about it unless brought out in the open by something or someone else. If it becomes too much to deal with she will leave the situation if possible. If not possible...then it is a strong possibility that she might break down.
*What does the charater want out of life? She is unsure at the moment. She is still trying to find herself and what she wants at the moment.
*What would the character like to change in their life? She is unsure. She knows she wants something, but unsure of what it is. It is possible that the change she wants is to feel like she belongs somewhere...and that there is more to life than just being "average"
*What motivates this character? The thought of her father...who always told her that there is always something more to life than this...but you have to find it first
*What frightens this character? Something that goes against her logic...people or situations that in her gut doesn't feel right.
*What makes this character happy? Unknown to her, but she enjoys human interaction (which she needs at the moment) and to feel like she belongs somewhere
*Is this character generous or stingy? She is more generous...but will not be taken advantage of
*Is the character generally rude or polite? She may come off as rude occasionally (because of her reserved nature)...but is a very polite person
*Does the character believe in God? She is unsure. She wants to believe in God or a higher power
*What are the character's spiritual beliefs? Unsure
*Is religion or spirituality part of this character's life? Not majorly
*Character's role in novel: Main character and narrator
*Scene where character first appears: Very beginning
*Relationships with other characters:
-Anna: one of her first friends at school
-Ethan: one of her first friends at school
-Elizabeth Gregor: her mother, not much of a relationship since her father died. her mother slowly begins to live her own life selfishly and doesn't think to ask Emma how she is dealing...which leads Emma to rely on only her friends and the memory of her father.
-Brent: antagonist, seems to help push her farther into her journey by making her angry or afraid
-Claire: Anna and Ethan's mother and Elizabeth's best friend from HS.
-Wayne Gregor: her father, through Emma's memories of him she will better understand who she is, what she is becoming, and her importance and role in life. She will also understand the value of perserving life and the value of friends.
*How is the character different at the end than then the beginning of the novel? She learns who she is, her importance and she understands her father more than she did before
*Character's full name: Emma Regina Gregor
*Reason or meaning of name: Latin term meaning 'Universal'
*Nickname: Em
*Reason for Nickname: shortened version seems to give more realism to conversation between friends/teenagers
*Birthdate: October 23, 1992
*How old does she appear: 15-18
*Body build: athletic, petite, small frame
*Type of hair: soft, shiny
*Character's typical hairstyle: either down and straight (deep side part) or up in a ponytail
*Favorite color: green, white, blue
*Favorite music: doesn't listen to music religiously...can listen to a variety of music.
*Least favorite music: rap, metal, country
*Food: Chicken, salad, or just a normal pizza
*Expletives: Doesn't curse much...but if she does it they are on the 'rated PG' scale
*Mode of transportation: 2007 Black Honda Civic
*Daredevil or cautious? Usually more cautious...will eventually have to learn to be more daring
*Same when alone? Yes. She is a very real and honest person
*How does the character spend a rainy day? Either sleep or do something on her laptop
*Type of childhood: Your typical, everyday, good childhood. Parents weren't rich but could provide. Stayed in their child's life, made sure she had what she needed.
*Most important childhood event that still affects him/her: Her father's stories
*Mother: Elizabeth
*Relationship with her: used to be close...but since father's death they have begun to deal with things on their own
*Father: Wayne
*Relationship with him: none, father is dead. used to be very close with him when he was alive
*Extended family: Not really mentioned much
*Close? Why or why not? Never really met them since they lived almost across the country from them her entire life
*Greatest fear: the unknown, or her life not meaning anything
*Worst thing that could happen to them? Losing another person who is close to them
*What single great event would most throw character's life in complete turmoil? Finding out something about herself that goes against logic
*Character is most at ease when: She is alone and she is in control
*Most ill at ease: Confrontation, something happens that goes against reality or against her beliefs
*Depressive or SAD (seasonal affective disorder)? No, goes through a somewhat 'normal' grieving process, but not depressed.
*Priorities: finish school and then she'll see from there
*Past failures they would be embarassed for anyone to know about: Not a failure, but that she was popular and social at her old HS
*Why? Shedoesn't want people to see her as that kind of person anymore.
*Greatest source of strength (whether un/known to character): You will find out!
*Greatest source of weakness: The fear of losing someone
*Soft-spot: Genuinely nice people
*
Is this spot obvious to others? Not particularly
*If not, how does character hide it? Doesn't necessarily hide it...but doesn't let anyone know about it, either.
*Optimist or pessimist: Realist
*Introvert or extrovert: Intro
*Why: She is still trying to deal with her father's death
*Drives and motivations: None at the moment. Will soon be finding out what really happened to her father...and that will be her starting motivation
*Talents: None at the moment
*Good characteristics: honest, real, loyal
*Character flaws: low self-esteem, grieving for her father (but not really knowing that she is
*Biggest regret: Taking the life of her father for granted, not spending more time with him.
*Minor regrets: not living her life, taking advantage of the little things
SELF PERCEPTION:
*One word to describe yourself? Unkown
*One paragraph description of yourself?
I am not very special...just your average teenager. I go to school, I learn, I come home. I like nature, hiking...that's pretty much it. I'm closed off, I don't like to let anyone know my problems since I believe that they are my own and I should deal with them on my own. Maybe one day if I'm close enough to someone, I will let them in...but that's not going to happen for a while.
*Best physical characteristic? My feet. Strange, I know...but I seem to like them
*Worst physical characteristic? My knees. They are too knobby in my opinion
*Are these realistic assessments? yes...every girl thinks weird things about their body.
*How do others perceive you? Quiet, reserved. Maybe even stuck-up since I'm so quiet (which I'm not)
*Four things you would change about yourself?
1. I would know who I am
2. I would be more than just 'average'
3. I would open up more like I used to before my father died
4. I would be more daring
*Why? Well, why not?
*If change #1 was made, would you be happy as you think? Yes
*Has character cheated on bf? Yes (when popular)
*How does character relate to others? Doesn't really. She tries to be nice to everyone...but has a hard time opening up
*How is she perceived by...
-strangers: Quiet or even mean
-friends: A girl who needs to open up more
-lover: N/a
*What happens to change this perception? She finds her ability and is forced to learn more about herself and who she is
*What do friends/family like most about her? She is an honest girl
*Like least? That she is so closed off
*Immediate goals: To finish school
*Long range goals: To find herself and who she should be
