The Sign game for characters

[frost_light]

The other day I was innocently waiting in a drive-thru line when, on the phone, Melissa started on about Zodiac signs. I'll be honest (sorry, Vicki!) I don't put stock into horoscopes or pay attention to Zodiac signs. The idea that the month/date I was born on has anything to do with who I am as a person rankles me. It makes me feel like my free

Comments

[mroctober]

Again, I find this notion rather silly. I remember hearing that the stars have moved so that the constellations really don't match up with the original dates, so everyone is not the sign they think they are.

Saying my character follows a set personality because he's a Virgo or a Capricorn is much like saying he follows a set personality because he's gay.

[frost_light]

I already stated my skepticism about Zodiac signs influencing behavior. That's why this is called the Sign GAME, and is meant for entertainment. I'm certainly not suggesting a new, innovative way to critique novels by saying a writer got it wrong if their hero/heroine doesn't match the description of a Zodiac sign.

[mroctober]

Yes, saw it was a game. I'm always amazed that the Zodiac still appeals to folks. It seems so outdated and Western-centric.

[frost_light]

Just because something's old doesn't mean it's outdated, and of course, opinions are nothing if not subjective.

[anonymous]

That's really delving deep into the characters. I hadn't given it much thought.

I'm an aries, so I guess everyone is an aries:)

[melissa_writing]

Do you do multiple or single pov? Curious . . . One of my pov characters is my same sign, but the rest aren't. I wonder if I did single pov if I'd go with Leo or with someone different than me. The character I most want to write single pov on is not my sign though . . . Hmm. Good food for pondering. Thanks for replying.

Melissa

[melissa_writing]

re: "relationships between a Taurus and a Scorpio is not always recommended but it is ... um hot. :D"

Well that fits Cat & Bones, doesn't it? :)

RE: "You've got moon signs, other planets, time and place of birth all sorts of factors to further muddy the mix. It's fun to have your whole chart done if you can find a friend to do it for you."

Oh yes. Much like psych personality profiles, I find these fascinating. It's not pre-destiny, but it is entertaining, imho.

Melissa

[frost_light]

"the minute I read that I went "Oh, well...that explains a lot." With this knowing grin. :D"

LOL! Could just be that the author's a perv, though *wink*

[yasminegalenorn]

Yes, I know all of my main and secondary characters' zodiac signs, and yes, it was deliberate, so yes, overall they line up.

Yasmine

[melissa_writing]

Somehow that doesn't surprise me :) Actually, it makes me want to go re-read to see if I can sort signs . . .Hmm.

Melissa

[frost_light]

Wow! Primary and secondary characters, how do you keep track of all of that? Do you have character boards with all their facts for referencing?

[yasminegalenorn]

I am armed with the Notebook From Hell for my series--actually, I had one for each series. I should post about it--I'm giving workshops to local groups on organization for writers and I always take my trusty reference tome that I've pulled together with me to show them. It's huge, and gets updated with each new book. I'll hunt around, I wrote about it a year or so ago somewhere and if I can find it, I'll post it.

Yasmine

[thegreatmissjj]

I do know all of my character's zodiac signs. It wasn't necessarily deliberate in that "Oh I know so-and-so is going to be an Aries" but rather, their traits went with one zodiac sign or another so I assigned them to it. (For the record, none of them share my zodiac sign, which is odd.)

The traits of Cancer don't really apply to me, but I once had my birthchart read and it was the eeriest thing ever because it applied to me SO WELL. I am a Cancer sun sign, Aries moon sign, and Aquarius rising with Pisces intercepted. The notion that the traits of each sign are exact to us as individuals is ridiculous, but when A STRANGER tells you things about you that are so specific based on astrology...well, that's something really interesting.

[frost_light]

So you decide character birthdays after you draw the character, based on what sign their personalities resemble? Really interesting.

[thegreatmissjj]

Yeah, pretty much. (I also literally draw my characters. I also assign them elements, colours, etc. It helps me place them in my narrative and it also helps me visualise how they interact with people.) Eva is objective, elegant, and balanced therefore a Libra (colour pale blue, element air). Raphael is hotheaded, passionate, and ambitious and therefore a Sagittarius (colour crimson, element fire). Alistair is sensitive, shy, dreamy, and idealistic and therefore a Pisces (colour silver or grey, element water). His sister is beautiful, stubborn, and warm-hearted and therefore a Taurus (colour spring green, element earth).