Creating characters

We were asked to create three characters detailing their lives as thoroughly as possible, their background, beliefs, morals,likes and dislikes and any facts significant to their character.The more details included the easier it is to come up with plotlines and stories for the character. I imagined a time (present day) and place (Harlesden) then created three characters, Jonah Kwame (a youth worker), Dean Sperry (offender) and PC Andrew Blythe. The latter character is the one the group suggested would be the most interesting character and have the most scope for story lines and character development.

This is PC Blythes character

53 year old Andrew owns his own taxidermy shop in North London. He’s also a Special Constable working from the Brixton branch in South London. Andrew Can not stand South London. He lives with his wife Jane in Islington. They have a 17 year old son Paul who’s at boarding school. Andrew drinks heavily, his marriage is loveless and his wife is having an affair with another man. Andrew loves the police force. It gives him a sense of control that he lacks in other areas of his life. He’s against drugs and has a zero tolerance policy on crime. Andrew is not a racist but does see things very black and white and have stereo typical beliefs around race and sexuality.

Things he would and wouldn’t do

He would bent the truth if he felt it would get a conviction.
He wouldn’t talk about his feelings. He wouldn’t hand over his wallet if he was being mugged. He wouldn’t sunbathe. He would have a savings account

Facts about Andrew

As a child his father beat him. The RAF refused him entry because of his poor eye sight. He was bought up on an estate in Wiltshire. He once took part in a sponsored walk from john o’ groats to lands end in aid of the RSPCA. He has no sense of smell.