J is for...

 Jester, Sage, et al, what archetypes can you base your character on?

Hero                Mastery           Main Character

Lover              Intimacy          Hates being alone, committed

Jester              Pleasure           Comedic Relief, can be dangerous

Everyman       Belonging        Average person, less likely to explore

Caregiver        Service            Best Friend, Provides Aid, Compassionate

Ruler               Control            Power, cannot afford to be dethroned

Artist               Innovation       Responsible for the situation they are in

Innocent          Safety              Sees the world differently to everyone else

Sage                Knowledge       Leads hero back onto the path

Explorer          Freedom           Moved forward by interest and learning

Outlaw            Liberation         Willing to change society at any cost 

Magician         Power                Strategist, wise but not quite a sage

As a writer and an author you might be familiar with the hero's and heroines journey. Everyone connected with it is listed above and also their meanings. They aren't just stages for your character to go through during your story, but also characters in their own right. 

Writers in various mediums have been using some of these characters in their writing. Take scooby doo for instance, the hero is Fred, the lover is Daphne, the sage is Velma, the innocents are Shaggy and Scooby...

When writing your story and designing your characters you could maybe use each of these character archetypes within your story, or if that is too many, you could maybe pick one or two, or maybe even a series of books with each archetype as the Main Character.

Each one comes with their own strengths and weaknesses.  A search online or through some craft books will help you flesh them out, or their attributes might just flesh out a character or two of your own creation. 

How goes your A to Z? Are you finding it easy or difficult?

TWW