101 ideas to spark your character creation

Characters are the heart and soul of a story. They give your reader a reason to care about the journey unfolding on the page. If you’ve found yourself in a creative rut, unsure where to start with your characters, or need a bit of inspiration, look no further! Here are 101 ideas to spark your character creation process and get those creative juices flowing...

101 ideas for character creation

• A historian who can remember the future.
• A soldier with a phobia of loud noises.
• A baker who can’t eat anything she bakes due to an allergy.
• A detective who only solves cases in their dreams.
• A wizard who is allergic to magic.
• An artist who paints only in shades of blue.
• A scholar who believes that the world is a figment of their imagination.
• A botanist specialised in extraterrestrial plants.
• A spy who is pathologically honest.
• A child prodigy who decides to reject their talent.
• A vampire with a fear of blood.
• A chef cooking the last meals for death row inmates.
• An astronaut who’s secretly afraid of the dark.
• A werewolf vegetarian.
• A gardener who grows plants that whisper secrets.
• A librarian who believes that each book in the library talks to her.
• A musician who can only play music that makes people weep.
• An inventor who creates machines that mimic human emotions.
• A psychologist who can read minds, but only when they’re asleep.
• A poet who words come to life.

Let’s speed it up, shall we?

• A fairy who can’t fly.
• An insomniac dream therapist.
• A time-traveller who’s lost track of their original time.
• A mermaid who’s afraid of water.
• A vampire hunter who falls in love with a vampire.
• A ghost who is afraid of other ghosts.
• A scientist who denies the existence of their own groundbreaking discovery.
• A courier delivering messages between rival magical clans.
• A seafarer cursed to always sail against the wind.
• A superhero with stage fright.
• A prince who prefers the life of a commoner.
• A dragon who’s a pacifist.
• A tailor who can see the future of anyone whose clothes they mend.
• An alien ambassador on earth trying to understand human customs.
• A guardian angel who’s scared of heights.
• A necromancer who only uses their powers to keep their plants alive.
• A tour guide in a city that doesn’t exist.
• A rockstar who can only perform when nobody is watching.
• A barber who changes the personality of individuals based on the hairstyle they give.
• A knight who’s afraid of horses.

Phew, we’re almost halfway!

• A photographer who can see another world through the lens.
• A thief who only steals from other thieves.
• A journalist who can travel to alternate realities.
• A zookeeper for mythical creatures.
• A writer who can control reality with their words.
• An explorer lost in a dimension of their own creation.
• A lawyer for supernatural beings.
• A healer who takes on the injuries they cure.
• A robot with a human soul.
• A mute singer with a mesmerising voice.

And let’s push on!

• A daredevil with vertigo.
• A firefighter who can control fire.
• A ghostwriter whose characters come to life.
• A lifeguard who can’t swim.
• A train conductor on a train that travels through dreams.
• A rebel leader who secretly wishes for peace.
• A doctor who cures diseases with music.
• A lighthouse keeper on a planet with no oceans.
• An archaeologist who can speak to ancient artefacts.
• A blind fortune teller.

All right, last lap!

• A hitman who saves more lives than they take.
• A cartographer mapping the multiverse.
• A bounty hunter who always lets their bounty go.
• A florist selling bouquets that change the mood of a room.
• A matchmaker who can’t find their own perfect match.
• A mechanic fixing time machines.
• A courier delivering love letters between two rival kingdoms.
• A sailor navigating a sand sea.
• A dancer who can’t hear music but feels it.
• An astronomer who can manipulate the stars.

And finally, to the finish line!

• A witch who uses baking instead of a cauldron.
• A philosopher searching for the meaning of life.
• A gambler who never loses but yearns for defeat.
• A sculptor who brings their statues to life.
• A composer who can make people see colours with their music.
• A bird watcher who can speak to birds.
• A thief who only steals worthless objects.
• A blacksmith forging weapons that can’t harm.
• A seamstress who sews luck into her clothes.
• A wine taster who can see the history of any drink.

And the last stretch:

• A janitor who cleans up after superhero battles.
• A clown who makes people cry.
• A medium who talks to mythical creatures.
• A weather reporter for magical storms.
• A secret agent protecting the identities of famous authors.
• A fortune cookie writer predicting actual futures.
• A watchmaker who controls time.
• A candle maker crafting candles that burn with different emotions.
• A fisherman who only catches mythical sea creatures.
• A taxi driver for supernatural creatures.

And finally, the home stretch:

• A graffiti artist whose art comes to life at night.
• A perfumer who can capture memories in fragrance.
• A pastry chef who makes magical pastries.
• A tour guide for historical ghosts.
• A potion master brewing mundane solutions.
• A makeup artist who can change identities with a brush.
• A personal trainer for superheroes.
• A dressmaker for fairies.
• A banker for magical artefacts.
• A coach driver for lost spirits.

And for the grand finale:

• A storyteller who can change the past with their tales.

Delving deeper: The ingredients of unforgettable characters

Now that we've charged our imaginations with the spark of ideas, let's dive a little deeper. A truly captivating character goes beyond the initial premise and taps into the essence of humanity – their physical characteristics, personality traits, background and history, goals and motivations, as well as their relationships and interactions. Let's take a closer look at how each of these aspects can help to create memorable and unique characters.

👉 Use our comprehensive character sheet template to outline your characters.

Physical appearance

A character's physical appearance can be a powerful tool in shaping their personality and story. Perhaps your character's a grizzled veteran with an eye patch that speaks volumes of his harrowing past. Or a runway model with a radiant smile that hides her true feelings of insecurity. How they dress, their body language, even their choice of hairstyle can contribute to their narrative, hinting at their status, their choices, or their personality. Remember though, like an overzealous sprinkle of spice, leaning too heavily on physical appearance can lead to stereotyping – a dash here and there can go a long way!

Personality traits

Personality traits are the heart of a character's actions and relationships. Maybe your character is a bubbly extrovert, making friends (and occasionally, enemies) with ease. Or an introspective introvert, observing the world from a distance. Their quirks, habits, likes, and dislikes can influence how they interact with the world around them, shaping their journey and the story as a whole. A moody vampire who adores sunny weather? Now that's an interesting personality trait!

Background and history

A character's background and history provide depth and complexity to their personality and motivations. Whether your character is a battle-hardened soldier from a dystopian future or a wide-eyed child from a peaceful village, their past experiences shape their worldview, inform their actions, and can create intriguing inner conflicts. Remember, however, that a traumatic or eventful past isn't a necessity – sometimes, it's the ordinary characters who live extraordinary stories that truly capture our hearts.

Goals and motivations

A character's goals and motivations are the engine of the plot. They push the character into action, create conflict, and propel the story forward. Whether your character's motivation is to save the world, find their lost love, or simply get through one day without coffee, this driving force keeps readers turning the pages, rooting for the character to succeed (or, occasionally, spectacularly fail).

Relationships and interactions

Lastly, a character's relationships and interactions with other characters can reveal facets of their personality that would remain hidden otherwise. They create tension, evoke emotional responses, and often serve as the catalyst for character growth and change. Think of a cantankerous old man softening around a chirpy neighbourhood kid or a fierce warrior showing vulnerability in front of a trusted companion. Relationships are where the 'show, don't tell' rule truly shines.

👉 Looking for more story ideas? Have a look through our book trope library.