In Story Building Blocks II: Crafting Believable Conflict and the Build A Cast Workbook, I introduce sixteen character mannequins or prototypes based on personality types. I track them from cradle to grave and talk about their strengths and weaknesses and how to warp them. I use male or female pronouns based on the percentage of the population that fell in that category, but all mannequins can be anything you make them. The traits discussed are starting points. You can alter their temperaments depending on the purpose they serve. Their traits give them strengths to build on and weaknesses to exploit.
JOSS
As a hero, Joss is an intrepid man of action. His physical risk-taking makes other people slightly nauseated. He makes a great sniper, special forces soldier, or superhero.
As a villain, Joss is deadly to anyone who crosses him or in defense of someone he foolishly believes.
Joss is loyal, despite his better judgment. Just give him a plan and he'll work it. He is a skilled maverick and an expert in his field. He’ll do anything for his close band of brothers. Joss follows the path of least resistance He doesn't need time to prepare and operates alone. He is highly aware of the physical situation, but blind to emotions. He makes keen observations and uses the information when needed. He notes flaws and attempts to correct them.
On the dark side, Joss's rash decisions make him vulnerable to predators and can result in catastrophe. He needs wide personal space and prefers to operate independently. He can drift toward paranoia. He enacts nefarious plans and does not care who it hurts.He is highly territorial and dangerous when crossed. He won't warn before he tears someone apart verbally or physically. He is an unpredictable villain. He thrives on risk and beating the odds and is easily bored.
Joss is rigid when threatened. He suspects people who think or behave differently and assigns them malicious motives. Joss is terse and nonverbal with a dry sense of humor. Some find him thick-skinned and tasteless. He is better at nonverbal expression. He isn't very interested in other people. He keeps his opinion to himself but erupts inappropriately when opposed. If he wants your opinion, he'll ask for it. He tunes out people who attempt to control him. He is rational and analytical but his logic is fuzzy. He doesn’t often share his thoughts. He thinks before he speaks and confides in a trusted few. He ignores sources he does not respect. Joss tells you what he thinks, delivers objective opinions, and is focused on whether information is true or false. He doesn't care if you agree. He doesn't care if you are upset. He focuses on the problem at hand and wants to solve it, not whine about it. He turns cold in the face of emotional outbursts. He can be unpredictable, unstable, and impulsive when pushed. He listens in information gathering mode. He evades answering questions by asking more questions. This frustrates other people when they need a direct answer. He doesn’t feel he owes anyone an explanation and never asks for permission.
Joss blocks out everything but what he believes, which makes his views narrow. He makes impartial decisions quickly and easily. Joss relies on experience and focuses on the details instead of the big picture. He makes impersonal choices regardless of the consequences. All rational options are considered. He prefers to keep his options open and is never quite satisfied with a decision. Procrastination can take the problem out of his hands. Joss is not a crusader. He doesn’t care if he fits in and is never truly invested in a belief system.
Joss can be insubordinate. He ignores structure, rules, and regulations. He is loyal to his band of brothers, but ignores superiors. He is annoyed when interfered with. If rules don't impact him, he doesn't care. He'll go around someone who tries to impede his progress. He won't waste time arguing with them. He will deal with the issue unilaterally.
Joss hates mindless routine, sitting still, reflecting, reading, and idle chit chat. He loves the adrenaline rush. He is spontaneous and flexible and operates on a smaller safety margin than ordinary men. He hates being tied down and ignores schedules. Joss is not a planner, but can work a plan. He is pragmatic. He pushes limits and volunteers to go first. He remains calm under pressure and acts while others debate. Joss doesn't manage people or come up with a battle plan. He follows orders but changes the plan without a second thought if the situation calls for it. He is good in fast changing situations. He focuses on the present, the not past or future, and lives moment to moment. He blocks out distractions to focus. He struggles with multiple courses of action. Just tell him what to do and let him do it. Deadlines are suggestions. When things go wrong, he ruminates over what happened and whose fault it is.
Joss's natural allies are Greer, Kelly, Blair, and Francis. His nemesis is Taylor. He enjoys others like himself. He is drawn to whoever shares his passion of the moment. Joss is an exciting catalyst. He encourages others to embrace his risk-taking hobbies. He has an affinity for sports but also an artistic appreciation. He is tolerant of most people and is valued by friends. He has many different sets of friends, but not intimate friends. He makes day-to-day efforts to keep a friendship going as long as it is interesting. Friends are confused and hurt when he drops them without notice or explanation. He isn’t good with long-term commitment. He won’t tolerate anyone he perceives as boring. He is often found with extroverts because of his leisure activities, but they quickly tire him. He doesn’t have time for the navel-gazing introverts. He avoids confrontation until someone violates a core value then punishes with cutting criticism.
As a hero, Joss is the perfect action hero, spy, renegade soldier, or CIA agent.
As a villain, he is a reckless, relentless sniper or hitman. He won't lead the enemy, though he could by default, but he is a very effective weapon.
Next week we meet Kelly.
You can download free character information sheets:
Character Worksheet
Mannequins Under Pressure
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