In Depth Character Study
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
John is about 5ft 9inches or so an' he'd say that he is lean. He enjoys keeping fit but is not bulked up like some people.
2. How old is he?
In his 30s
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He doesn't slouch... it does not do well for the back or posture!
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
John is healthy, he likes to keep in shape but would never say no to a beer, a fry up or some quality home cooking.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
John likes to think that he is rather akin to Muhammad Ali and that he 'floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee'
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
Well John doesn't think he is all that bad looking, he doesn't tend to have many issues with women and he can think of a few other people who have it worse off than him. But John doesn't like to brag about his appearance!
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Dark skinned.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
His hair normally cut short though he has on occasions be known to have it corn rowed or short dreadlocks. He mostly wears a hat so you'd be lucky to see it mind you!
9. What color are his eyes?
Chocolate brown... or so he has been told by the ladies.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
His hat. Trust me if you know John you'll know it is noteworthy.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His corrugator supercilii muscles and across the clavicle, scapula and humerus.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
Now he didn't get his nickname as the 'Cowboy' for no reason. John likes Western style clothing including the hat and shirt. He also has a rather nice tan leather jacket that he refuses to give up.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Part of his identity are the clothes he wears and of course John would never wear anything he wasn't comfortably in.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Casually John opts for the 'western cowboy' theme but when he is 'on the job' John wears the Team Issue uniform (but the hat always stays)
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxer briefs. Like boxers but designed to fit comfortably beneath trousers. But don't go telling no-one!
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
Johns' voice is deep, silky and evenly pitched.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
John doesn't believe in raising his voice unless he has too so generally he is soft and evenly spoken. He doesn't often hesitate unless there is something he really doesn't want to say... or he is really wound up! He apparently has one of those voices that can help end a dispute.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
He has a strong LA accent.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
Good old US-English.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
Nope. What you see is what you get
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
Depends on the situation really but most of the time he can say what he needs to say without causing offence to lots of people.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Eloquent unless really really angry.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
A little bit of both really though from his experiences as a child he is mostly smart thanks to his Momma.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He thinks on his feet, sometimes deliberating isn't always for the best but in some situations it is needed!
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Practical and logical. Two words that are most certainly associated with John.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
He had a basic education but has a real passion for reading. John didn't study much beyond High School but that was mostly due to some issues at home.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
Boxing. This man has read nearly every box in existence on boxing and the human body. John would have loved the opportunity to study Biology perhaps when he was younger but now his area of expertise falls into the Military category.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
John is distinctly more of an introvert. He has his close group of friends and he bonds well with the group but unlike certain others on the team he doesn't have any urge to go out looking for excitement. He finds his own company stimulating enough but also seeks out others whom he can find a common interest with.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Mostly an even tempered kinda guy John doesn't easily have mood swings. You tend to know where you stand with the guy and when he is angry you've really have got to have provoked it. He is pretty cheerful, fairly driven but also the kind of person who isn't instantly trustworthy of someone unless he can read them.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Being an introvert John tends to thrive less on making new social contacts however recently he has been forced more or less to get over this attitude of his. He is always mildly suspicious but this doesn't always come across as John always makes the effort to be polite and friendly.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
React. But that is only because John doesn't tend to put himself in a situation where he needs to act first.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Flight, because when you put it that simply John doesn't have super healing powers so he sensibly teleports his ass out of there when he is out of his depth.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
John can take a joke I mean the guy walks around camp wearing a cowboy hat. He tends to joke with people he is comfortable with and only then will it be occasionally. He is more of a straight faced kinda guy.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
None.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
He doesn't like to talk ab out his past much but his upbringing has always played a pivotal role in his mannerisms.
14. What does he fear?
Betrayal
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
John wants to one day open his own Boxing/fitness centre!
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
John once killed a man and that was before he worked for Team X.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
John loves and dotes on his Momma and his Grand-Momma too who also plated a key role in his upbringing . John never knew his father.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
He was once also close to his sister though since he took on this job he hardly speaks to her now because he would never want to put her or her family in danger.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
His younger sister for reasons explained previously
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Since joining the team John has met three people whom he considers a part of his family now. Fred Dukes, John's best and closest friend, is a brother to him. Chris Bradley is like a younger brother as well, he gets himself into trouble but both John and Fred keep an eye out for him. And then more recently Laura Kinney, whom John considers a sister and dotes on her.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Fred J. Dukes! Met shortly after they joined Team X. They disagree about how they met as they were both rather drunk at the time.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Obviously Chris and Laura but John tends to get on well with most people in the original team. He considers Logan a friend as well if he is honest.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He gets along with most people as that is the kind of person he is. John is affable, cordial, veracious and open.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
You can't choose your family but you sure can pick your friends. To him friends are the people you can trust in life.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
He is single, never married, divorced or widowed.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Nope!
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
His first crush was a girl called Libby Johnson who was in the same class as him in highschool. John doesn't like to disclose who he finds attractive or not. That's for him to know and you not to find out!
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
Honesty, openess, humour... someone rather like him really.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
He has no children currently but John would love to maybe have one child. If he found the right woman. Generally John gets on with children.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Not to his knowledge currently.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale
?
0 - Exclusively Heterosexual
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
John was always believed that sex should be between a man and a woman who care about one another. He isn't the kind of guy who sleeps around for fun.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
John likes women like Farrah Fawcett, Marilyn Monroe, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Doris Day and the Supremes. Good wholesome women are Johns real thing.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac
of choice
) sign? How well does he fit type?
John is a Pisces, he'll let you make up your own mind once you've read the following: The two fish symbolize the internal struggle of the soul within a Pisces. Pisces folks are selfless, spiritual and very focused on their inner journey. They also place great weight on what they are feeling. Yes, feelings define Pisceans, and it's not uncommon for them to feel their own burdens (and joys) as well as those of others. The intuition of the Pisces-born is highly-evolved. Many people associate Pisceans with dreams and secrets, and it's a fair association, since those born under this Sign feel comfortable in an illusory world.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Brought up in a household of faith John has respect for religion but as an individual doesn't tend to have a belief of his own.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Stand by your friends. You are only as strong as the bond with the person next to you.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
Respectful, polite and interested. John enjoys a decent intelligent conversation but he dislikes being preached to.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He has always been open minded and accepting. John does not agree with reading a book by its cover or judging someone on first appearances.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He has always been careful with his money so over time John has saved up a tidy sum ready for when he can eventually open up his own boxing\fitness centre.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Coming from a poorer part of the city John has worked his way up in society.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
John sold his place before joining Team X but he plans on buying himself a nice apartment over his boxing/fitness centre and maybe if he has the money left over a nice place out in the country where he can unwind at a weekend.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Boxing magazines, coffee, country and western memorabilia.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
John is a soldier now, he is good at what he does and at times is proud of his role.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
He enjoys socialising with his friends (Fred, Laura, Bradley etc) and watching boxing matches whenever they can convince Bradley to rig up a television for them on the sly.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Can't turn down a good home cooked meal! John loves good hearty, quality cooked food. He cannot stand MREs!
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Khaki
2. Smell? Coffee
3. Time of day? Early evening
4. Season? Autumn
5. Book? Catcher in the Rye
6. Music? Country and Western
7. Place? The boxing ring
8. Substance? Chilli
9. Plant? Sunflowers
10. Animal? Kestrel