Character Creation Dictionary: Grow Your Vocabulary, #1

By Blake Pieck

1st Edition - Learn about Character Building and Creating.

The dictionary covers a wide range of topics related to character development, including personality traits, background and history, physical attributes, emotions, relationships, and more. Each entry provides a concise and clear definition of the term, along with relevant information on how it can be applied in character creation.

Includes:
59 Character Creation
634 Emotions / Feelings
47 Expressions
1169 Characteristics,
23 Body Language Dictionaries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blake Pieck
• Release date: Jun 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223929178

Book preview

Character Creations

In literature, a character is a person, animal, or other entity that appears in a story or narrative. Characters are typically defined by their traits, motivations, and relationships with other characters, and can be used to advance the plot, convey themes and ideas, or create emotional engagement with the reader.

Characters can be divided into several different categories, including protagonists, antagonists, supporting characters, and minor characters. Protagonists are typically the central character of a story, around whom the plot revolves. Antagonists are characters who oppose the protagonist and create conflict or tension in the story. Supporting characters are characters who provide assistance or support to the protagonist, while minor characters are characters who play a smaller role in the story but can still contribute to the overall narrative.

One of the key elements of creating a compelling character is to make them relatable and empathetic to the reader. This can involve giving the character complex motivations, flaws, and internal conflicts, as well as demonstrating their strengths and positive qualities. Characters should also be well-developed and consistent, with their actions and choices reflecting their personality and worldview.

Overall, characters are a crucial element of literature, helping to create emotional engagement, advance the plot, and convey themes and ideas. By crafting relatable, dynamic characters, authors can create engaging and memorable stories that resonate with readers long after they have finished the book.

Adrenaline Rush  -  Manuscript  -  Focusses  -  Allure  -  When a character experiences an adrenaline rush, it can reveal a lot about their personality and mindset. Do they enjoy the thrill of danger, or are they terrified but determined to push through? How do they react to the rush - do they become reckless or hyper-focused? These reactions can provide insight into their motivations and values and can drive the plot forward as the character takes action based on their adrenaline-fueled decisions.

Adulthood  -  Background / History  -  Refers to the stage of life when an individual has reached maturity and is considered to be a fully grown adult. Adulthood is typically characterized by taking on adult responsibilities, such as financial independence, making significant life decisions, and having personal autonomy. The background or history of a character plays a crucial role in understanding their motivations, personality traits, skills, and relationships. It adds depth and complexity to the character, allowing the player or storyteller to better comprehend and portray their actions, decisions, and reactions within the narrative.

Allure  -  Manuscript  -  Focusses  -  Allure can be a useful element in character building, as it can give insight into what motivates or drives a character. For example, a character who is allured by wealth and luxury might be seen as greedy or materialistic, while a character who is allured by adventure and danger might be seen as thrill-seeking or impulsive. Understanding a character's allure can help create a more well-rounded and realistic portrayal of them and can also provide opportunities for character growth and development as they grapple with their desires and motivations.

Alter Ego  -  When a character is used as a thinly disguised representation of the creator of the work.

Alter Ego refers to a second self or a persona within a person. An alter ego is often used as a tool for character development, allowing the author to explore different aspects of a character's personality through an imaginary or secondary character. The alter ego can also be used to convey the character's inner thoughts, emotions, and desires, which may not be revealed in the main plot.

An example of an alter ego in literature is Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where the character of Mr. Hyde is the alter ego of Dr. Jekyll. See our Ultimate Writers Dictionary.

Antagonist  -  Character  -  The main force that comes into conflict with the main character. This could be a person, animal, thing, or situation.  The main character in a work of fiction comes into conflict with the protagonist (hero or heroine). Note that the antagonist does not always have to be a character; it could be a thing or a situation (a monster, a storm, a flood, etc.).  Bob Ewell, in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, is a malevolent antagonist.

An antagonist is a character in a story or drama who opposes or comes into conflict with the main character, also known as the protagonist. The antagonist can be an individual, a group of people, or even a force of nature or circumstance that creates obstacles for the protagonist to overcome.

The purpose of an antagonist is to create tension and conflict in the story, as the protagonist is forced to struggle against them to achieve their goals or overcome obstacles. Antagonists may be motivated by a variety of factors, such as revenge, greed, or a desire for power, and may employ a range of tactics to hinder the protagonist's progress.

In many stories, the antagonist is portrayed as a villain, someone who is morally or ethically opposed to the protagonist and seeks to do them harm. However, in some cases, the antagonist may be more complex, with their motivations and actions driven by factors that are more nuanced or sympathetic.

Some famous examples of antagonists in literature and film include Darth Vader from Star Wars, the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, and Iago from Shakespeare's Othello. These characters all pose significant challenges and obstacles for the protagonists to overcome, driving the plot forward and creating memorable moments of tension and conflict.

Overall, the role of the antagonist is an essential part of storytelling, providing a counterbalance to the protagonist and creating the tension and conflict that drives the narrative forward.

Archetype  -  An archetype refers to a typical or representative character type or pattern that embodies certain traits, behaviors, or roles. Archetypes can be found in various forms of literature, storytelling, and mythology. They often serve as recognizable and recurring character models, such as the hero, the mentor, the villain, or the trickster. Archetypes can provide a foundation for creating characters with well-defined characteristics and story purposes.

A type of character that appears in multiple stories across generations. Healer, mentor, star-crossed lovers.

Backstory / Back Story  -  The details about a character’s background.  The backstory or back story of a character encompasses their personal history, experiences, and events that occurred before the main narrative or campaign. It provides context and depth to the character's motivations, beliefs, and relationships. Backstories can include information about a character's upbringing, family, education, significant events, traumas, or achievements. Developing a compelling backstory helps create a more fully realized character and can influence their actions and decisions in the present story.

Bisexual  -  Character  -  Sexual Orientation  -  Romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour toward both males and females. Bisexual refers to an individual who is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to both males and females. It is an orientation that recognizes and embraces the potential for attraction to people of more than one gender. Bisexuality exists on a spectrum, and individuals who identify as bisexual may have various preferences and experiences. When creating a character, defining their sexual orientation, such as identifying them as bisexual, can contribute to representing diverse identities and experiences within the narrative.

Black Moment  -  Manuscript  -  Structure  -  Themes  -  The Black Moment refers to a crucial point in the development of a character when they face their greatest challenge or obstacle, and all seems lost. The Black Moment is a key element of character development, as it provides an opportunity for the character to demonstrate their strength, resilience, and determination.

The Black Moment can take many different forms, depending on the context and the character in question. For example, in a story about a person overcoming addiction, the Black Moment might be a moment of relapse or near-relapse, when the character is tempted to fall back into old habits. In a story about a person facing discrimination or adversity, the Black Moment might be a moment of deep despair or hopelessness, when the character feels overwhelmed by the challenges they face.

The Black Moment is often followed by a moment of decision or resolution, in which the character overcomes their challenges and emerges stronger and more resilient. This can be a moment of great growth and transformation for the character, as they learn to overcome their fears and weaknesses and become a more fully-realized person.

Overall, the Black Moment is a crucial element of character building, as it provides an opportunity for the character to confront their greatest challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient. By placing the character in a moment of crisis and decision, writers can create a powerful and engaging narrative that resonates with readers and helps them to understand the complexities of human experience.

Bluebeard  -  Manuscript  -  Structure  -  Suspense  -  In character building, the Bluebeard archetype can be used to create a male character who is powerful and charismatic, but who also has a dark and violent side. This archetype can be used to explore themes of power, control, and gender relations, and can provide a rich and complex character for the reader to engage with.

To build a character using the Bluebeard archetype, the writer might focus on creating a character who is wealthy, powerful, and influential, but who is also known for his violent and abusive behavior towards women. The character might be charming and charismatic, able to draw people in with his wit and intelligence, but also cold and calculating, with a dark and dangerous side that he keeps hidden from the world.

As the story unfolds, the protagonist might become involved with the Bluebeard character, drawn in by his charm and power, but also repelled by his violent and abusive behavior. The protagonist might struggle with conflicting emotions, torn between the desire to be close to the Bluebeard character and the fear of his violent and unpredictable nature.

Ultimately, the protagonist might be forced to confront the Bluebeard character and stand up to his abusive behavior, taking a stand against his power and control. This can be a moment of great growth and transformation for the protagonist, as they learn to stand up for themselves and fight against the forces of oppression and abuse.

Overall, the Bluebeard archetype can be a powerful tool for character building, allowing writers to explore complex themes and create characters that are rich, nuanced, and engaging. By using this archetype effectively, writers can create compelling and memorable stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impression.

Body Language  -  Body language refers to the non-verbal cues and signals that individuals use to communicate their thoughts, emotions, intentions, or attitudes through physical movements, gestures, facial expressions, and postures. It includes actions such as facial expressions, hand movements, eye contact, posture, and other bodily behaviors that can convey information and add depth to a character. Understanding and incorporating body language can enhance the portrayal and believability of a character, providing additional insight into their emotions, motivations, and interactions. Body language is a type of communication in which physical behaviours, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey information. Such behaviour includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. See Body Language Dictionary.

Character Impact  -  Character impact refers to the influence, effect, or significance that a character has on the story, other characters, and the overall narrative. It involves considering how a character's actions, decisions, personality, and relationships shape the events and development of the story. The impact of a character can be seen in their interactions, conflicts, and contributions to the plot, as well as in the emotional or psychological effects they have on other characters. Creating characters with meaningful impact can make the story more engaging and dynamic. Things throughout your story that impacts characters. Settings, Interior, Exterior, etc. See our Ultimate Writers Dictionary.

Character Role  -  Character role refers to the function, purpose, or position that a character serves within a story or narrative. It involves defining the specific responsibilities, abilities, or traits that the character possesses and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes. Character roles can vary widely and include protagonists, antagonists, sidekicks, mentors, love interests, comic reliefs, and many others. The role of a character helps define their relationship with other characters, their goals, and their overall significance to the story.

Which kind of role will your character have? Primary (Main Character), Secondary (Supporting), Tertiary. See Protagonist, Antagonist.

Character Type  -  Type of fiction characters that have been divided into seven sections, Confidante, Dynamic, Flat, Foil, Round, Static, Stock. All are inclusive in this dictionary.   

Character type refers to the categorization or classification of a character based on their traits, attributes, or role within a story. It helps define the character's primary characteristics and functions. Common character types include heroes, villains, sidekicks, mentors, foils, and more. Character types can serve as a starting point for creating and understanding a character, providing a framework for their development and interactions within the narrative.

Characteristics  -  Noun  -  A distinguishing feature or quality. Generosity is his chief characteristic. Personality Traits. Characteristics are the distinctive qualities, traits, or attributes that define a character's personality, behavior, appearance, or abilities. These can include physical features, such as hair color or height, as well as personality traits like bravery, intelligence, kindness, or stubbornness. Characteristics provide depth and individuality to a character, shaping their actions, relationships, and overall portrayal. See Characteristics Dictionary

Childhood  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  Where did they grow up? Crowded tenement or rambling farm; inner city or rural hamlet.

Childhood refers to the early stages of a character's life, from birth to adolescence. It encompasses the experiences, relationships, and events that shape the character's formative years. Childhood influences can include family dynamics, education, cultural upbringing, social environment, and significant life events. Exploring a character's childhood as part of their background or history provides insight into their values, beliefs, fears, and motivations. It helps establish the character's identity and provides a foundation for understanding their behavior and choices in the present story.

Education  -  Manuscript Ideas  -  Focusses  -  Allure  -  Character Building  -  Children Books  -  Stories teach us valuable lessons about good and evil, about ethical conflicts and moral risks, and about unseen dangers and disguised threats. Sharing the fictional characters' adventures, we readers learn from their experiences, without making their mistakes and taking their risks. This is especially useful in stories for children - it gives kids the chance to learn without getting into danger - and for teenagers who may not heed parental warnings but like a good story.

Education / Intelligence  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  Where did they go to school? For how long?

Education refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding through formal or informal methods. In character creation, education can describe a character's level of formal schooling, training, or specialized knowledge in a particular field. It can shape their abilities, expertise, and worldview.

Intelligence refers to a character's mental capacity for learning, problem-solving, and understanding. It encompasses cognitive abilities such as reasoning, memory, perception, and creativity. Intelligence can be reflected in a character's intellect, critical thinking skills, and ability to process information. See Education.

Ethnic Distinctions  -  Character Building  -  Pertaining to or characteristic of a people, especially a group (ethnic group) sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

Ethnic distinctions refer to the differences and characteristics that define various ethnic or cultural groups. In character creation, ethnic distinctions can be used to establish a character's cultural background, heritage, traditions, and identity. This includes factors such as race, nationality, language, customs, and beliefs that contribute to the character's unique cultural perspective and experiences.

Emotions  -  Noun  -  An affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.

Emotions refer to the subjective and internal states of feeling that individuals experience in response to various stimuli or situations. Emotions can range from joy, love, and happiness to sadness, anger, fear, or disgust. In character creation, understanding a character's emotional range and how they express and cope with emotions is crucial for creating depth and relatability. Emotions influence a character's decisions, actions, and interactions with others, driving their motivations and shaping their relationships within the story. See Emotions Dictionary

Enneagram  -  The Enneagram is a system of nine personality types combining traditional wisdom with modern psychology. The Enneagram offers a way to manage personality through the practice of self-awareness. It supports us in becoming more effective in our lives, and it offers a path of opening our hearts and developing personal presence. Each type has many different kinds of names, and are divided into three categories, Body, Heart / Feeling, and Head / Mind / Thinking. All are inclusive in this dictionary.  See Characteristics Dictionary for all the types.

Expressions  -  Noun  -  Indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., as on the face, in the voice, or in artistic execution.  The lyric expression embodied in his poetry.

Expressions refer to the outward manifestations of a character's thoughts, emotions, or intentions through facial expressions, body language, and verbal cues. Expressions can include smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, clenched fists, or any other physical or verbal signals that convey meaning or communicate a character's internal state. Understanding and incorporating expressive elements can enhance the portrayal and authenticity of a character, allowing them to come to life for the audience or reader. See Expressions Dictionary

Facets  -  Broad personality traits can be broken down into narrower facets or aspects of the trait. For example, extraversion has several facets, such as sociability, dominance, risk-taking and so forth. Facets refer to the different aspects, qualities, or dimensions that make up a character's overall identity. These facets can include their personality traits, beliefs, skills, relationships, and other defining characteristics. Each facet represents a unique angle or perspective through which the character can be understood. Exploring and developing various facets of a character helps create a multi-dimensional and complex portrayal. See Personality Traits.

Family  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  Family refers to the group of individuals related to a character through blood, marriage, or adoption. It includes parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives who play a significant role in the character's life. Family influences a character's upbringing, values, beliefs, and experiences. Understanding a character's family dynamics can provide insight into their background and shape their behaviors, relationships, and motivations. Incorporating family elements into a character's background or history can enrich their development and add depth to their story.

Fears  -  Noun  -  A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Fears refer to the strong and distressing emotions or apprehensions that character’s experience in response to perceived threats, dangers, or specific triggers. Fears can be rational or irrational, and they can vary in intensity and nature from character to character. Exploring a character's fears can add depth and vulnerability to their personality, shape their decision-making process, and provide opportunities for character growth and development. See Fears Dictionary

Health / Scars  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  Physical and emotional, that can add to the character’s state. Does the character battle cancer, or does the character bares emotional scars from being abandoned as a child?

Health refers to a character's physical and mental well-being. It encompasses their overall physical condition, including strength, vitality, and any existing medical conditions. Mental health encompasses a character's emotional and psychological state, including their resilience, stability, and potential disorders. Considering a character's health helps shape their abilities, limitations, and how they navigate the challenges within the story.

Scars refer to visible marks or traces left on a character's body as a result of past injuries, accidents, or traumatic events. Scars can be physical or symbolic, representing emotional or psychological wounds. They can add depth and complexity to a character's backstory, revealing their past struggles, traumas, or experiences. Scars can shape a character's identity, motivations, and relationships.

Home  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  What kind of home do they live in? A palace, a cave, a tent, a penthouse, a city apartment, a gloomy bedsit...?

Home refers to the physical place where a character resides or has a sense of belonging. It can also encompass the broader concept of home, including cultural or emotional associations. Exploring a character's home in their background or history helps establish their sense of roots, cultural identity, and social environment. Home influences a character's values, perspectives, and connections to their community. It provides context for their experiences and can serve as a source of conflict, comfort, or personal growth throughout the story.

Homosexual  -  Character  -  Sexual Orientation  -  Romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender. Homosexual refers to an individual who is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to individuals of the same gender. It is an orientation that recognizes and embraces the potential for attraction to people of the same sex. Homosexuality is one of many sexual orientations that exist, and individuals who identify as homosexual may have diverse experiences, preferences, and relationships. When creating a character, defining their sexual orientation, such as identifying them as homosexual, can contribute to representing diverse identities and experiences within the narrative.

Job / Profession  -  Character Building  -  Background / History  -  What’s your protagonist’s job (if any)?

A job refers to a specific role or position that a character holds for the purpose of earning a living. It is typically In character creation, a character's job or profession provides insight into their skills, knowledge, social status, and daily activities. It can impact their personality, values, and interactions with others.associated with a set of tasks, responsibilities, and skills. Jobs can range from occupations such as doctor, teacher, or engineer to more general roles like waiter, janitor, or office worker.

A profession refers to a specialized occupation or vocation that requires specific knowledge, training, or expertise. Professions often have defined standards, ethical guidelines, and formal qualifications. Examples of professions include lawyer, architect, nurse, or accountant.

Main Character / Primary  -  Character Role  -  A main character. Protagonist and/or Antagonist. The main character in a literary work.  The principal or main character in a literary work.  Bilbo Baggins is the protagonist of "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. The main character, also known as the primary character, is the central figure in a story or narrative. They are the character around whom the plot revolves and whose experiences and actions drive the story forward. The main character is often the one with whom the audience or reader identifies most closely and follows throughout the narrative. See Character Roles, Protagonist, Antagonist.

Ordinary Things  -  Manuscript  -  Focusses  -  Fears  -  In character development, ordinary things can be used to reveal important details about a character's personality, backstory, and inner world. By focusing on the everyday objects that a character interacts with or values, writers can create a sense of realism and depth that helps readers connect with and understand the character on a deeper level.

For example, a character who collects vinyl records might be revealed to be a nostalgic person who values the past and has a deep appreciation for music. A character who always wears a certain piece of jewelry might be revealed to have a sentimental attachment to it, or to be using it as a form of self-expression or rebellion.

In addition to revealing character traits, ordinary things can also be used to create symbolism and foreshadowing in a story. By associating certain objects or images with specific characters or events, writers can create a deeper sense of meaning and connection that enhances the story's overall impact.

Overall, the use of ordinary things in character development can be a powerful tool for creating depth, nuance, and realism in a story. By paying attention to the small details of a character's world and using them to reveal important information and themes, writers can create a more engaging and meaningful story that resonates with readers. See our Ultimate Writers Dictionary.

Person-Situation Debate  -  The person-situation debate is a historical debate about the relative power of personality traits as compared to situational influences on behaviour. The situationist critique, which started the person-situation debate, suggested that people overestimate the extent to which personality traits are consistent across situations. See Personality Traits.

Personal Growth  -  Manuscript  -  Focusses  -  Allure  -  Character personal growth is the transformation and development of a character's attitudes, beliefs, values, or behavior over the course of a story. It involves the character facing challenges, making mistakes, and learning from those experiences in order to become a better, more well-rounded person.

Personal growth is a key element of many stories, as it allows readers to identify with and root for the character as they overcome obstacles and strive to become the best version of themselves. It can be particularly effective when combined with a character arc, in which the character's personal growth is tied to the overall plot and themes of the story.

One of the challenges of portraying personal growth in a character is to make it feel authentic and believable. The character must face realistic challenges and obstacles, and their growth and transformation must be shown to occur gradually and organically over time. It should not feel forced or rushed, but rather a natural outgrowth of the character's experiences and choices.

Another important aspect of character personal growth is that it is often tied to the character's relationships with other characters in the story. The character may learn important lessons about trust, loyalty, forgiveness, or empathy through their interactions with others, and these lessons may be instrumental in their personal growth.

Overall, character personal growth is a powerful tool for creating engaging and compelling stories. By showing how characters can overcome obstacles, learn from their mistakes, and grow as people, authors can inspire and motivate readers to pursue their own personal growth and development. See our Ultimate Writers Dictionary.

Personality  -  Enduring predispositions that characterize a person, such as styles of thought, feelings and behaviour. Personality refers to the unique set of traits, behaviors, and patterns of thought and emotion that characterize an individual's consistent and distinctive way of being. It encompasses various aspects, such as introversion or extroversion, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Personality traits contribute to how a character interacts with others, makes decisions, and responds to different situations. Developing a character's personality helps create a well-rounded and relatable individual within the story.

Personality Traits  -  Enduring dispositions in behaviour that show differences across individuals, and which tend to characterize the person across varying types of situations. There is a system that’s widely used, which is called the Five-Factor Model (or the big five), within this model, there are five broad traits to be remembered. Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Another revision of the Five-Factor Model is called HEXACO model of traits. This model adds Honesty-Humility as a sixth dimension of personality.

Other personality traits often known as Sub Traits, Need for Achievement, Need for Cognition, Authoritarianism, Narcissism, Self-esteem, Optimism, Alexithymia, Machiavellianism.

The Enneagram also includes personality categorisation of individuals, which are divided into nine types (there are various of different names for each type). The nine types are categorised into three sections, Body, Heart / Feeling, and Head / Mind / Thinking.

Within fiction it can be divided into six-teen roles, Defender, Examiner, Overseer, Supporter, Artist, Craftsman, Entertainer, Persuader, Chief, Originator, Strategist, Engineer, Advocate, Confidant, Dreamer, Mentor. These roles are divided into four sections, Fictional Protectors, Fictional Creators, Fictional Intellectuals, Fictional Visionaries. All of these are in our dictionary. See Characteristics, Enneagram Types.

Perspective  -  Manuscript  -  Focusses  -  Allure  -  A character's perspective refers to their point of view or their way of seeing and experiencing the world around them. It is shaped by their personality, experiences, beliefs, and values, and can influence the way they interpret events, interact with other characters, and make decisions.

In literature, a character's perspective can be a powerful tool for creating empathy and emotional engagement with the reader. By showing events and situations from the character's point of view, authors can help the reader understand their motivations and thought processes and create a deeper sense of connection with the character.

A character's perspective can also be used to create tension and conflict in a story. When two characters have different perspectives or worldviews, it can create misunderstandings or disagreements that drive the plot forward and create emotional engagement with the reader.

One of the challenges of writing from a character's perspective is to make it feel authentic and believable. The character's way of seeing and experiencing the world must be consistent with their personality and experiences and must be conveyed in a way that is engaging and compelling for the reader.

Overall, a character's perspective is an important element of literature, helping to create empathy, emotional engagement, and tension in a story. By crafting characters with distinct and compelling perspectives, authors can create stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impression long after the book is finished. See our Ultimate Writers Dictionary.

Phobias  -  Noun  -  Manuscript Ideas  -  Focusses  -  Fears  -  Character Building  -  A persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it. Many people have phobias / fears about specific situations, so intense that they have a paralysing, crippling effect. Often, these fears are based on a sensible, instinctive response to a genuine danger such as heights, caves, fire or snakes. The only irrational thing about many of these fears is their intensity.  See Phobias Dictionary in this book.

Primary  -  Character Role  -  A main character. Protagonist and/or Antagonist. A primary character is a major character in a story who plays a significant role in the plot and is central to the narrative. Primary characters are typically well-developed and complex, with a range of motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and conflicts that drive the story forward. They may be protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters, but they are all essential to the story and play a key role in its resolution.

Primary characters are often the focus of the story, and much of the narrative revolves around their experiences, thoughts, and emotions. The primary character may undergo significant growth or change throughout the story, and their actions and decisions may have a profound impact on the other characters and the outcome of the plot.

Overall, primary characters are a key component of effective storytelling, providing readers with a relatable and compelling protagonist or antagonist to root for or against. By crafting well-developed and memorable primary characters, authors can create rich and engaging stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact

Protagonist  -  Character  -  The main character in a literary work.  The principal or main character in a literary work. A protagonist is the main character in a story, novel, or play, around whom the plot revolves and whose actions and decisions drive the narrative forward. The protagonist is typically the character with whom the reader is meant to identify and sympathize, and whose goals and struggles form the central conflict of the story.

For Example:

Bilbo Baggins is the protagonist of "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.

In manuscript writing, the protagonist is a key element of the narrative, as their actions and decisions determine the outcome of the story. A well-crafted protagonist should be complex, interesting, and relatable, with clear motivations, strengths, and weaknesses that drive the plot forward and create emotional engagement with the reader.

The protagonist's journey or character arc is often a central focus of the narrative, as they overcome obstacles and challenges, grow and develop as a character, and ultimately achieve their goals (or