The Characters Deck is an invaluable tool for storytellers aiming to create well-rounded, compelling characters that resonate with audiences. This guide will explore several critical aspects of character development as presented in the Characters Deck, focusing on six key sections: Opacity (cards 400 to 418), SCARF Model (cards 419 to 423), Personality (cards 424 to 444), Calling (cards 445 to 454), Antagonist Arguments (cards 455 and 456), and Main Journeys (cards 457 and 458).
Each of these sections provides a unique perspective on character creation, offering frameworks and insights that help writers develop characters with depth, nuance, and relatability. Let’s dive into each section and unpack the wisdom these cards offer.
Table of Contents
Opacity: The Art of Character Complexity
Opacity in character development refers to the layers of complexity that make a character intriguing and realistic. Characters are not just what they seem on the surface; they are a mix of visible traits and hidden depths that interact in fascinating ways.
Understanding Opacity
Opacity in characters can be likened to an iceberg—what is visible above the surface is only a fraction of the whole. To craft opaque characters, the following aspects must be considered:
Outer Attributes (Card 401)
These are the visible, tangible, and objective traits of a character, such as gender, age, physical appearance, clothing, and profession. Outer attributes are crucial for the initial impression of the character but do not define the entirety of who they are.
Inner Nature (Card 402)
The hidden, subtle, and subjective aspects of a character’s personality, including their biggest strengths, weaknesses, repressed desires, and moral limits. Inner nature is what drives a character’s decisions and actions, often revealing itself slowly over the course of the story.
Initial & Final Beliefs (Cards 403 to 408)
The initial beliefs of a character guide their actions and worldview at the start of a story, but as the narrative unfolds and challenges arise, these beliefs are tested and evolve. By the end, the character’s final beliefs reflect their growth and the changes they’ve undergone, showcasing a transformation in their understanding of themselves, others, and the world.
Master Lie (Card 409)
The master lie is the central false belief that the protagonist clings to at the beginning of the story. This lie shapes their worldview and decisions, acting as a barrier to their growth. The journey of the character often involves confronting and overcoming this lie, leading to their transformation. For example, a character might believe that they are unworthy of love, which affects their relationships until they confront and discard this belief.
Haunting Ghost (Card 410-411)
The haunting ghost represents a past trauma or unresolved issue that haunts the protagonist. This ghost is often tied to the master lie and plays a crucial role in the character’s development. The ghost can manifest in various forms, such as a literal memory, a recurring dream, or a metaphorical presence in the character’s life. The story should gradually reveal the ghost’s influence on the protagonist, leading to a resolution where the character either comes to terms with or overcomes their past.
Fatal Flaw (Card 413)
The fatal flaw is the primary weakness of the protagonist that hinders their progress and threatens their success. This flaw is deeply ingrained in the character’s personality and is often the target of the antagonist’s attacks. The story’s conflict will push the protagonist to either overcome or be destroyed by their fatal flaw, creating a dramatic and compelling narrative arc.
Contradictions (Card 414)
Contradictions add complexity to characters by presenting conflicting traits or behaviors. These contradictions can be internal (e.g., a character who is both brave and fearful) or external (e.g., a character who is kind but often acts harshly). By incorporating contradictions, writers can create more layered and realistic characters, as these opposing forces often drive internal conflict and character development.
Framing and Genres (Card 415)
This card encourages writers to consider how the chosen framing and genre of the story influence the development of their characters. The framing of a story (e.g., its narrative structure, point of view, or tone) and its genre (e.g., horror, romance, thriller) dictate the types of characters that will be most effective and how they should be portrayed. By aligning character development with these elements, writers can create a more cohesive and engaging story.
Love Language (Card 416)
Understanding a character’s love language can provide insights into their relationships and emotional responses. Whether it’s words of affirmation, acts of service, or physical touch, this knowledge adds depth to interactions and conflicts
Vulnerability Armor (Card 416b)
Characters often use various “armors” to protect their vulnerabilities. Recognizing these defenses can help writers create more relatable and multidimensional characters who struggle with internal conflicts as much as external ones.
Conflict Sources (Card 417)
Every element of a character’s opacity can be a source of conflict. These conflicts are essential to driving the story forward and must be carefully crafted to align with the character’s traits and motivations.
Transformation Arc (Card 418)
The character’s journey through the story often involves a transformation, where their beliefs, behaviors, or motivations undergo significant changes. The arc can be positive, negative, or flat, depending on the story’s needs
SCARF Model: Navigating Social Interactions
The SCARF model, developed by David Rock, identifies five social factors that influence how characters feel and behave in social situations: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness. These factors trigger emotional responses that can drive a character’s decisions and actions.
Status (Card 419)
Status concerns a character’s perception of their relative importance compared to others. Characters sensitive to status threats might behave aggressively or defensively when they feel their status is challenged. For example, Frank Underwood from House of Cards is highly sensitive to status, driving much of his manipulative behavior.
Certainty (Card 420)
Certainty relates to a character’s need for predictability and understanding of their environment. Characters who are sensitive to uncertainty may experience anxiety and take extreme measures to maintain a sense of control. Doc Brown from Back to the Future exemplifies this, with his obsession over the accuracy of time travel.
Autonomy (Card 421)
Autonomy is the degree of control a character feels they have over their actions and decisions. Characters who value autonomy may resist control and react strongly to restrictions. William Wallace in Braveheart is driven by his desire for autonomy, fueling his rebellion against oppression.
Relatedness (Card 422)
Relatedness reflects a character’s need to belong and connect with others. Characters sensitive to relatedness threats may struggle with feelings of isolation or rejection. Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings is deeply motivated by his loyalty and connection to Frodo.
Fairness (Card 423)
Fairness involves a character’s sense of justice and equity. Characters who are sensitive to fairness issues may be driven by a strong moral code, as seen in Batman, who is obsessed with delivering justice in Gotham.
The SCARF model provides a framework for understanding the social dynamics that drive your characters, offering a way to predict how they might react in various situations and creating more authentic and engaging narratives.
Personality: The Foundation of Character Motivation
Personality is a significant factor in determining a character’s motivations and actions. The Characters Deck explores personality through the lens of Carl Jung’s archetypes and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), offering 16 personality types that characters might embody at different times.
MBTI Personality Types (Cards 424b)
The MBTI system categorizes personalities into 16 distinct types, each with specific traits that influence how characters perceive the world and interact with it. These types can be broken down into four binary choices:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I) (Card 425)
Extraverts gain energy from interacting with the outside world, while introverts recharge through solitude and internal reflection. Understanding where your character falls on this spectrum can dictate how they approach social interactions and problem-solving.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) (Card 426)
Sensing characters focus on the present and concrete details, while intuitive characters look at the big picture and future possibilities. This distinction can influence how characters process information and make decisions.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F) (Card 427)
Thinkers prioritize logic and objective criteria, while feelers base decisions on personal values and how they impact others. This dichotomy plays a significant role in how characters approach conflict and relationships.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) (Card 428)
Judging characters prefer structure and clear decisions, while perceivers are more flexible and open to new experiences. This aspect can affect a character’s approach to planning and reacting to unforeseen events.
Archetypes (Cards 429 to 444)
Each personality type can align with one of the 16 archetypes identified by Carl Jung, such as the Hero, Caregiver, Rebel, or Explorer. These archetypes help define the core motivations and behaviors of a character, offering a blueprint for how they will act throughout the story.
For example, the INTJ (Mastermind) archetype is often strategic, independent, and driven, sometimes to the point of appearing cold or ruthless. Characters like Severus Snape from Harry Potter or Walter White from Breaking Bad exemplify this archetype.
The Personality Test from 16Personalities is a great tool to elaborate character personality and learn more about the MBTI : https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Calling: The Subconscious Drive
Calling goes beyond personality to explore the deep-seated, often subconscious motivations that drive a character’s actions. The Characters Deck identifies nine calling types, which align with the Enneagram personality system.
The Nine Calling Types
Each calling type represents a fundamental drive or fear that influences a character’s life choices. Understanding a character’s calling can provide insights into their core motivations, helping to shape their journey and transformation arc.
Type 1: The Reformer (Card 446)
Reformers are perfectionists who are driven by a desire to improve themselves and the world around them. They are often motivated by a sense of duty and a need to correct what they perceive as wrong.
Type 2: The Helper (Card 447)
Helpers are driven by a need to be needed. They find value in being indispensable to others and are often motivated by a desire to be loved and appreciated.
Type 3: The Achiever (Card 448)
Achievers are success-oriented, seeking validation through accomplishment. Their primary motivation is to achieve significant goals and receive recognition for their efforts.
Type 4: The Individualist (Card 449)
Individualists are driven by a desire to be unique and true to themselves. They are often motivated by the need to express their identity and stand out from the crowd.
Type 5: The Investigator (Card 450)
Investigators seek understanding and knowledge. They are driven by a need to comprehend the world around them and often withdraw into their minds to do so.
Type 6: The Loyalist (Card 451)
Loyalists are motivated by a need for security and stability. They value trust and are often driven by a desire to find a safe, reliable path in life.
Type 7: The Enthusiast (Card 452)
Enthusiasts are driven by a desire for adventure and variety. They seek new experiences and are motivated by the fear of missing out on life’s pleasures.
Type 8: The Challenger (Card 453)
Challengers are driven by a need for control and power. They are often motivated by a desire to protect themselves and others from vulnerability.
Type 9: The Peacemaker (Card 454)
Peacemakers seek harmony and avoid conflict. They are motivated by a desire to maintain peace and often go to great lengths to avoid confrontation.
Antagonist Arguments: Understanding the Villain
Creating a compelling antagonist is as crucial as crafting a relatable protagonist. The Characters Deck offers insights into the flawed logic that often drives an antagonist’s actions, presenting 15 arguments that villains commonly use to justify their behavior.
Examples of Antagonist Arguments
Twisted Point of View (Card 455)
The antagonist may argue that they and the protagonist are the same, or that the protagonist is equally guilty of wrongdoing. This is often used to blur the moral lines and create tension, as seen with characters like Bodhi in Point Break.
Utilitarianism (Card 455)
The antagonist justifies their actions by arguing that the ends justify the means, as seen with Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
Nihilism (Card 456)
Some antagonists believe that their actions are justified by a higher truth or ideology, as seen with Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road.
Mental Sickness (Card 456)
Characters like The Joker in The Dark Knight use their madness as a justification for their chaotic actions, often embracing their lack of rationality as a strength.
These arguments provide a framework for understanding the antagonist’s mindset, allowing writers to create more nuanced and compelling villains.
Main Journeys: The Protagonist’s Path
The journey of the protagonist is central to any story. The Characters Deck outlines several key journeys that characters may undergo, each corresponding to a different type of transformation.
The Five Stages of Grief Journey (Card 457)
This journey aligns with the psychological process of grieving and is often used in stories where the protagonist must come to terms with a significant loss. The stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—can structure the emotional arc of a story, providing a clear path for character development.
The Four Archetypal Steps Journey (Card 458)
The “Four Archetypal Steps Journey,” inspired by Carol S. Pearson, outlines a character’s path through four transformative stages: Orphan, Wanderer, Warrior, and Martyr. Each stage symbolizes a phase of growth, from dependency and confusion to exploration, confrontation, and ultimately, self-sacrifice. This journey encapsulates the protagonist’s evolution and resonates with universal themes of personal growth and the quest for meaning.
Conclusion: Crafting Characters with Depth and Dimension
The Characters Deck offers a comprehensive approach to character development, providing tools and frameworks that help writers create characters with depth, complexity, and relatability. By understanding and applying the principles of opacity, the SCARF model, personality, calling, antagonist arguments, and main journeys, writers can craft characters that not only drive the narrative but also resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
Whether you are writing a novel, screenplay, or any other form of storytelling, the insights provided by the Characters Deck are invaluable for creating characters that stand the test of time.
Useful Links
Carl Jung’s Archetypes
Link: https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-jung.html
Description: A detailed explanation of Carl Jung’s archetypes and their relevance in psychology and storytelling.
David Rock’s SCARF Model
Link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-brain-work/200911/why-your-brain-feels-bad-work-science-the-scarf-model
Description: An overview of the SCARF model and its application in understanding social dynamics.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Link: https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
Description: A resource on the basics of the MBTI and how it categorizes personality types.
Enneagram Personality System
Link: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
Description: Information on the Enneagram system and its nine personality types.
Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey
Link: https://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero’s_journey.htm
Description: A breakdown of the Hero’s Journey and its significance in storytelling.
Exploring the Iceberg Theory in Character Development
Link: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/the-iceberg-theory-how-to-create-characters-of-depth
Description: An article on using the iceberg theory to add depth to characters.
Understanding Character Arcs
Link: https://www.nownovel.com/blog/character-arcs-masterful/
Description: A guide to mastering character arcs and ensuring your characters grow throughout your story.
Utilizing the Five Stages of Grief in Storytelling
Link: https://www.thebalance.com/what-are-the-five-stages-of-grief-4099124
Description: An explanation of the five stages of grief and how they can be applied to character development.
Crafting a Compelling Antagonist
Link: https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/creating-antagonist/
Description: Tips for creating a strong and nuanced antagonist in your story.
Writing Characters with Depth: Vulnerability and Conflict
Link: https://www.well-storied.com/blog/how-to-write-characters-with-emotional-depth
Description: Insights on adding emotional depth to characters through vulnerability and internal conflict.