I believe Why is the ultimate question. Why dictates your reason, your propose for, well, everything.
In writing, we have all come across some form of a character sheet that encourages you to fill in things like Height: Weight: Eye Color: And so forth. Some character sheets are basic while others are more extensive.
Why posts are an attempt to explore one characteristic a bit deeper with a focus on just the main character for now.
Height: How tall is your character? Why are they tall, average, or under average?
Are they tall because you think all heroes are large in stature, personality, and aggressiveness? How would a character act thinking that being tall and male is viewed as an advantage to others not so tall. What if they were a woman and tall? Would they feel odd, out of place?
Are they tall but timid who can break out of their shell, to transform from inside to match their exterior? Are they too tall and are awkward, clumsy, with scars on their forehead from bumping into things?
Are they short and resent it? Do they feel small inside? What does their living quarters look like? Do they have nothing on top shelves or are there step stools around? And what does that say about them, nothing on top shelves because they don’t what the neediness of a step stool to help or do they hide the stool from sight and only use it when alone? Are they proud of being short and exude more confidence because they have endured the scorn of jokes and bullying? Despite the stereotype, are they bold and courageous? Could they even become reckless thinking they have to prove themselves more than others?
What if they are average? Do they think of themselves as average? Bland? Someone that doesn’t stand out in a crowd? How would they think and act if average were foremost in their thoughts? Less confident? Soft spoken? What if average was to their benefit? They could go unnoticed because they want to be unnoticed? What if they want to blend into the background where no one can recall if they were there or not?
Are they ashamed of their height? Are they proud? How does their height affect everything else? What car do they drive? A tall person is not going to drive a small car. But maybe they do and that is one of their quirks. What clothes do they wear. Can they find the right sizes? And if not does what they are wearing seem more worn than usually because they have trouble finding the right size.
Is their height important to them whether tall, shorter, or in between? Why?
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