Day 5: 30 Day Story Challenge: Character Development

In language, a character can be presented through dialogue, action, body language, physical attributes, and interior monologue. Because I am favouring not giving Seamus the unnatural ability to talk (for a dog), interaction with other characters and their view of the protagonist are two other methods that I plan to use to present Séamus. Social status is of particular interest to me.

Accumulated information that is merely gathered data rarely brings a character to life, however, description, background, and explanation can help get us started. In the fiction I admire, it seems that the most vivid character takes on life not so much from an accumulation of information as from the experience of watching this individual in action over a number of scenes. And even then, the most memorable characters will sometimes leap to life in a single moment that reveals a unique and peculiar detail of manner, or a unique and peculiar turn of phrase in dialogue. Something, in other words, that causes a sharp flash of recognition... the telling detail or revealing speech pattern is so sharp and fresh and singular that it automatically contains within it all the rest I need to know about the character. Somehow the writer has found a detail so precise and suggestive that it hints, in a way that perhaps even the writer may not fully understand, at an entire unique soul. A Passion For Narrative Jack Hodgins

Miner's Ledge, Muckish Mountain, Donegal County 

Photo by Gareth McCormack

  The Seamus Files

Basics

Full Name: Séamus McManus
Meaning of Name: A Celtic name, the Irish equivalent of James
Nickname: Irish
Birth Place: County Donegal, Ireland  
Age: Advanced: the lifespan of an Irish Wolfhound is 6-10 years, 7 years being the average
Nationality: Irish
Race: Irish Wolfhound
Hair Color: Brindle combination of golden, red, black, and grey
Hair Style: Coarse
Shape and Features of Face: Shapely head proportionately sized in length and breadth to match an impressive stature, with mustached flews and bearded muzzle
Eye Color: Amber
Scars or Distinguishing Marks:
Disabilities:  
Build or Body Type:
Height: 
Weight:
Gestures:
Weakness:
Special Abilities or Powers:

Brindle Colour Chart

Family, Childhood

Mother:
Father:
Birth Order:
Brothers:
Sisters:
Other Close Family:
Best Friend: 
Other Friends:
Enemies:
Home Life During Childhood:
Town or City Name(s):
Details of Town(s) or City(s):
Sports - Clubs:  Lure Coursing, Racing, Running, Tracking, Agility, Rally, The Irish Wolfhound Club (est. 1885)
Favorite Toy or Game:
Schooling:
Favorite Subject:
Popular or Loner:
Important Experiences or Events:
Health Problems:
Culture:
Beliefs:

It is recommended that characters begin life in the imagination, exert their pull from there, and once they begin doing that, then they require detailing that only experience can supply. Roger McDonald

Characteristics

Bad Habits:
Good Habits:
Best Characteristic:
Worst Characteristic:
Worst Memory:
Best Memory:
Proud of:
Embarrassed by:
Driving Style:
Strong Points:
Temperament:
Attitude:
Weakness:
Fears:
Phobias:
Secrets:
Regrets:
Feels Vulnerable When:
Pet Peeves:
Conflicts:
Motivation:
Short Term Goals and Hopes:
Long Term Goals and Hopes:
Exercise Routine:
Day or Night Person:
Introvert or Extrovert:
Optimist or Pessimist:

Mullangore Woods, Donegal 

Photo by Gareth McCormack

Preferences

Music:
Foods:
Sports:
Social Issues:
Clothing:
Games:
Greatest Want:
Greatest Need:

Fanad Head, Between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay, Donegal

Photo by Martina Gardiner

Now

Home:
Favorite Possession:
Most Cherished Possession:
Neighbourhood:
Town or City Name:
Details of Town or City:
Significant Other Before:
Children:
Relationship with Family:
Best Friend: Hilary Courage
Other Friends:
Enemies:
Career:
Dream Career:
Dream Life:
Love Life:
Hobbies:
Guilty Pleasure:
Sports or Clubs:
Talents or Skills:
Intelligence Level:
Greatest Strength:
Greatest Weakness:
Health Problems:
Culture:

Life Before Story

Past Careers:
Past Lovers:
Biggest Mistakes:
Biggest Achievements:

Coming Soon: The missing details

Character Chart From: Charlotte Dillon