It’s been ages since I did one of these but I’m having to partially re-work one of my side characters. The time period is late 1890’s, set in the East Coast where Society is still rigid (more lax than it would have been in Europe but stricter than out West).
Photo by Angelina Litvin on Unsplash
Harrison James – American – Name means ‘Power’ – 19 years old at the beginning of the book – single child – brown hair, brown eyes, 5 foot 9 inches (taller than Amelia, shorter than Ian), trim
Standing in Society – In one of the Prominent families
Type of Childhood- pampered – High Society (raised by nannies?)
First Memory – a nanny getting fired for refusing him something?
Religion – in name/title only
Finances – wealthy and set to inherit the estate
Bad Habits – gambler, drinks, smokes
Hobbies – card playing/gambling, betting on horse races (does he start racing horses too?)
How does he spend a rainy/sunny day? – at parties, club or the races
PERSONALITY:
Greatest Source of Strength – ????
Greatest Source of Weakness – gambling
Soft Spot – Amelia
Is this soft spot obvious to others? Maybe before he realizes it himself
If not, how does he try to hide it? – Tries to treat her the same as everyone else (but how does it ACTUALLY come off? is he harsher with her or is he simply not able to?)
Biggest Vulnerability – ??
ATTITUDE
Most at Ease when – he’s the center of attention/when he’s working hard at the paper
Ill at Ease when – he’s idle – in Society and after
Priorities – MONEY
Philosophy – ?
If Granted one wish, what would it be? – ?
INTERRELATION WITH OTHERS
How does he relate to others? – on his terms – there are a few that he doesn’t act as arrogant around but not many
How is he perceived by the Heroine? – Originally she is infatuated with him. She sees only the good. Time goes on and their relationship changes and she starts to see him in a professional light – someone to give her a chance.
How does he view heroine? – Until 1/2 way through the book (?) he sees her as a young girl with impossible dreams. But realizes she’s grown up – wants to help her gain independence/backbone – and snub Society. Is drawn to her.
First Impression and Why? – Depends on his mood – could be very good/charming or could be terrible. he decides in an instant if he likes you or not and bases it off that
What do family/friends like most about him? – He’s entertaining – when in the right mood. He can charm an entire crowd when he wants to
What do family/friends like least about him?- he’s cocky. Arrogant.
GOALS
Immediate Goals – none. Are you kidding? Life’s about having FUN
Long range goals – once tragedy strikes (in whatever form that happens..) to create his own fortune by growing a newspaper empire
How does he plan to accomplish this? – growing a struggling paper and then buy out others as he can
How will other characters be affected? – Amelia will be helped. Georgia will be helped/hurt in the 2nd book. What about his parents?
There are 2 more pages of questions but that’s it for now! You’ll notice there are several question marks still – and I didn’t even write all of the blank questions down, just the ones that I feel really need answered.
I recently heard advice for developing a character – take who you want them to be at the end of the story and flip it – that’s who the character is in the beginning. I am trying to follow that with Harrison. But let me tell you, it’s going to be a long road to get him where he should be.
~Laura
~Also, these are the ladies that I’m loving following for all things writing related lately – lara ferrari and Amara Luciano .
the start of a good life 
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