-•Prepare For Pain•-

aka “I can feel my cheeks blushing from just thinking about what I want to say to you”

“I like the way your hand fits in mine.”

“You have something in your hair, umm… Do you want me to get it out?”

“It’s nice that your voice was the first thing I heard today.”

“You can call me whenever you want… Even if you don’t have a reason to.”

“I’m bad at texting first, so I always end up hoping you will.”

“This movie is really scary, but you’re into it so I’m trying not to cover my face the whole time, but- WHAT IS THAT?”

“Wait, don’t pull away… Not yet.”

“You look really cute in that sweater.”

“Half the time I get too embarrassed to say anything.”

“No, it’s fine.  I can wait until you’re done talking to them.”

“No, like…. It’s just, I can’t believe you’re actually wearing my clothes.”

“You’re a big piece of inspiration for this, honestly.”

“God, you always make me blush so damn much.”

“I’ve been trying to get ready for like an hour and a half, because I know you’re going to look so good and I need to try and match up.”

“Would it be too cliche if we matched clothes a little?”

“First second I saw you and I couldn’t get over how beautiful you were.”

“I wanted to say “I love you” for the first time without stuttering, but that failed.”

“Could you hold my hand?”

“You can’t leave without letting me hug you first.”

“I really love holding you, darling.”

“That pet name was so gushy, but it was also so cute.”

“Aw, you’re blushing like a rose.”

“Your lips are really warm.”

“I can’t get over how a few months ago I wanted to learn your name and now you’re having breakfast with me in my sweater.”

“No, mom, don’t tell him/her I said that about him/her!”

“My friends get so annoyed by how much I talk about how sometimes.”

“Wanna, like– I mean, if you’re not busy… We could get lunch? Or even just coffee if you don’t have a lot of time?”

“Wow, I didn’t think you could make me smile this big.”

“You don’t need to leave so soon.”

“You look so comfy, and cuddle-able.”

“Quit smiling at me, I can’t stop messing up my sentences when you look at me like that.”

“You’re hiding under the blanket because you’re blushing?”

“You make me so happy.”

“Don’t give me that puppy dog face.  How am I supposed to say no to that?”

“You made these cupcakes for me?”

“I look forward to holding you close in bed soon.”

“Let’s share my coat, since you’re so cold.”

“I can’t believe I got the first date, let alone a year.”

“You make me feel so damn gushy.”

“How do you always manage to look so captivating?”

“Would you mind if I kissed you?”

“Are you sugar personified or something?”

“I know I’ve kissed you like, ten times, but just like another ten, please.”

“You’re the perfect height for me to rest my chin on your head.”

“I would’ve had breakfast ready, but you were sleeping on my arm, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Is it cold outside or are you just blushing?”

“Yeah… Huh? Oh, sorry I was just thinking about my girl/boyfriend.”

“I’m so in love with her/him, I don’t know what do do.”

“I remember practicing how to ask you out to the mirror.”

Writer’s choice

“I am not here to kill you! I’m here for bread!”

“Listen up! I hate all of y'all! That’s it. That’s my announcement.”

“Sometimes you just gotta dance.”

“If there was ever a time to start running, now would be it.”

“Incase you haven’t heard, there is a bounty on your head.”

“Maybe it’s a pun? Ever thought about that?”

“Now, how could I forget you?”

“Have you ever seen a raging Pomeranian? Yeah. Thought so.”

“Do you think werewolves like ice cream?”

“If I did die, I only have one regret, and it’s not flipping you off more when I had the chance.”

“You’re a good friend, I hope you know that.”

“No offense, but didn’t you just say we weren’t gonna be violent?”

“Did you bring the blood bags?”

“Well, let me see here, the only thing I could diagnose you with is idiocy.”

“I just want to fall in love.”

“Cake? In this dire time? Yeah, sure, why not? We all die anyway.”

“Floor it!”

“Well aren’t you special?”

“From here on out, you shall call me -.”

“I never wanted to die, but to be immortal, that sounds awful too. Paying taxes? Forever? Nah.”

“Living with 7 dogs really opens your eyes to a lot of things.”

“For the most part, I am, in fact, an idiot. But I fully admit to it, which should count for something.”

“Did you actually buy that shirt?”

“Where did you find a potato? Where? Look where we are! There shouldn’t be a potato here!”

[inspired by this]

“actually… i just miss you.”

“alright, i’ll leave you alone.”

“and slowly… i was forgotten.”

“and then everything just disappears.”

“and where do i go?”

“anyone could tell from here.”

“are you finishing that or…?”

“are you stupid or stupid?”

“anything, just call me, okay?”

“bitch better have my money.”

“bro… that’s so… not cool…”

“but did you do it?”

“call me now. it’s urgent.”

“can’t you listen to me?”

“cross that. don’t answer that.”

“don’t even think about it.”

“don’t you dare walk away.”

“do it. i dare you.”

“did you think i forgot?”

“eventually… you just move on.”

“even if you still do.”

“everything will fall into place.”

“fight me, you attractive stranger.”

“for once, i need you.”

“for once… i was right.”

“for once… i was wrong.”

“forget i even asked you.”

“forget it. you fucking suck.”

“fuck’s sake, what’s your problem?”

“fuck off. i mean it.”

“give and take. that’s life.”

“great. perfect. nice. fuck this.”

“have you lost your mind?”

“hello? it’s me. i was-”

“hey… that wasn’t so nice.”

“here’s a glass of whatever.”

“how about a hug, hm?”

“how about you make me?”

“i haven’t forgot you yet.”

“i can’t be around you.”

“i don’t need you, really.”

“i don’t need this now.”

“is this your first time?”

“it’s just a cut, really.”

“it wasn’t me, i swear!”

“i said i love you.”

“just don’t fuck it up.”

“just… come back alive, okay?”

“just make sure you’ve eaten.”

“kick his ass for me.”

“killed him? wait, what, literally?”

“life really sucks. feel better.”

“letting go hurts… a lot.”

“let me live, will you?”

“no, i don’t need you.”

“nothing can hurt me now.”

“nothing matters anymore to me.”

“okay it was me… so?”

“people lie all the time.”

“pipe the fuck down, asshole.”

“please, you can’t die now.”

“please don’t leave me alone.”

“quiet. they can hear us.”

“quick! give me your phone!”

“quicker, you freaking piece of-”

“quit it or i’ll bite.”

“quit staring! they’ll notice us!”

“really? do i look stupid?”

“real smooth, tripping over air.”

“rise and shine, sweet thing.”

“rise and fucking shine, motherfucker.”

“seriously? give me a break.”

“so… what are we now?”

“so… did you miss me?”

“so… can we go eat?”

“so… when’s the next flight?”

“so… how did everything go?”

“sometimes, i wish you died.”

“so what? you did it.”

“time passes slower without you.”

“then what do you suggest?”

“the fuck? who are you?”

“then you tell me why.”

“this is not working out.”

“this isn’t what i wanted.”

“this is all a fucking disaster.”

“when did it all happen?”

“who knew you’d be here?”

“why do i even bother?”

“why do i love you?”

“why didn’t you tell me?”

“you’re just… so, so stupid.”

“you can’t be here now.”

“you look like an accident.”

“you really need to go.”

“you know who to call.”

“Have you ever been to a funeral before?”

“Do you want to hold my hand?”

“You look like you need a hug.”

“Please hold me.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not real. It’s all a dream.”

“Shhh, it’s okay now. You’re safe in my arms.”

“Hold me until I forget.”

“I don’t feel good. Stay with me…”

“Don’t worry, baby, I got you.”

“I had that horrible dream again. Can I sleep in your bed?”

“You can’t run from your fears when you’re in my arms.”

“Kisses won’t make it better, but you can try.”

“I’m going to love you until you love yourself.”

“You look like you need cheering up.”

“I need cheering up.”

“The past is in the past. The future is for us. We can’t help what’s gone.”

“You woke up screaming. I figured breakfast in bed was in order.”

“Don’t weep for me.”

“I’m not a selfless man.”

“Welcome to the new age.”

“This is it, the apocalypse.”

“It’s a revolution, I suppose.”

“It’s not as bad as it seems.”

“It’s where my demons hide.”

“There’s nowhere we can hide.”

“I don’t ever wanna let you down.”

“This road never looked so lonely.”

“My age has never made me wise.”

“Here we are. Don’t turn away, now.”

“Don’t get too close. It’s dark inside.”

“Been dreaming of this since a child.”

“I wanna hide the truth. I wanna shelter you.”

“You’ve got a tendency to bring a man down.”

“Don’t wanna let you down, but I am hell bound.”

“We are the warriors that built this town from dust.“

“I can’t escape this now, unless you show me how.”

“Turn your head for one second… and the tables turn.”

“Though this is all for you, don’t wanna hide the truth.”

“I get mine and make no excuses; waste of precious breath.”

“So this is what you meant when you said that you were spent.”

“If you love somebody, better tell them while they’re here…“

Character Creation Questions

1: Origins! How did you come up with the concept for your OC?

2: Were they originally well received by the fandom? Or if they’re fandomless, did the RP community take to them right away or was it hard to get attention?

3: Has your OC gone through different incarnations during their stay on Tumblr? Were they reimagined or have they stayed the same all this time?

4: How do you get into your OC’s mindset to write for them? How do you find the muse for them?

5: Were you nervous about putting your OC out there? How long did it take before you decided to play your OC here on Tumblr.

IC Interaction Questions

6: What is your OC’s family situation? Do they get along? Do they fight? Or are they alone?

7: What does your OC look for in a friend? Do they value friendship a lot?

8: What does your OC look for in a significant other? Are they looking at all?

9: What is your OC like when at work? Are they diligent? Slacker? Do they get along with their co-workers?

10: How do they deal with strangers?

Inside the Muse’s Mind Questions

11: Is there a place they go to in order to escape the world, the stresses of life? What’s their favourite place?

12: What scent calms them? Reminds them of home or something soothing?

13: Do they have any favourite foods? Would they eat it all the time if they had the chance? What do they hate to eat?

14: Pet peeves. Tell us what would really tick them off. Do they have a Berserk Button?

15: Does your OC have any awful fears? Do they get paralyzed with fear or can they work through their fears?

16: What are concepts they value? Virtues? What do they look down upon?

17: Do they have any guilty pleasures? They embarrassed about them? Do they flaunt them?

18: Do they have a guilty conscience? Why? Did they ever do something they totally regretted?

Miscellaneous Questions

19: Have they ever been injured? Sick? How do they deal with it?

20: What are Tropes you associate with your muse?

21: Name an embarrassing situation that your muse has been in.

22: If given a million dollars, what would your OC do?

23: Any ships for your OC?

24: Have you ever gotten anon hate because of your OC?

What is your OC’s favorite color?

Does your OC collect anything? What do they collect?

What kind of things is your OC allergic to?

What kind of clothing does your OC wear?

What is your OC’s first memory?

WWhat’s your OC’s favorite animal? Least favorite?

What element would your OC be?

What is your OC’s theme song? 

Do you have a faceclaim / voiceclaim for your OC?

What deadly sin would best represent your OC?

What are your OC’s hobbies?

How patient is your OC? How hot-headed are they?

What is your OC’s gender / sexuality / race / species / etc.?

What foods does your OC like to eat? What are their least favorite foods?

If your OC could have any pet, what would they choose? Why?

What does your OC smell like? 

How do they make a living? What kind of job do they want / not want? What is their dream job? What do they think of their current job?

What are your OC’s greatest fears? Weaknesses? Strengths?

What kind of music do they listen to? Do they have a favorite song?

If they came from their world to ours (if not already in our’s) how would they react? What would they do?

What personal problems/issues do they have? Pet peeves?

What kind of student were they/would they be in high school?

What is a random fact about your OC? 

What is their outlook on life? What is their philosophy / what do they think in general about living?

What inspired you to create them / how did you create them? Were they originally a fancharacter? What was their personality / design like when you first made them?

Who is the most important person in their life? Why? Who is the least important to them (that still has an impact and why?

What kind of childhood did your character have?

What kind of nervous habits do they have? Do they stim? Do they have any kinds of addictions?

If they could choose their epitaph for their grave, what would they choose?

Do they want to get married? Why or why not? Would they ever want kids? Do they have kids? Why?

What is their most traumatic memory/experience? What is their favorite memory?

If they could have one thing in the world, what would it be?

Would they ever kill someone? What would someone have to do to push them to kill someone? If they would kill someone, why? 

What social groups and activities does your character attend? What role do they like to play? What role do they actually play, usually?

How is your character’s imagination? Daydreaming a lot? Worried most of the time? Living in memories?

What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively? What are they willing to do, to sacrifice, to obtain?

What’s something that your character does, that other people don’t normally do?

What would your character do with a million dollars? 

What is in your characters refrigerator right now? On their bedroom floor? Nightstand? Garbage can?

Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What do they wear? Who will they be with?

What does your character do when they’re angry? Why?

Does your character have any scars? Where did they get them from? 

What was the most offensive thing your character had ever said?

How does your character react/ accept criticism?

If your character was given a slice of pineapple pizza and they HAD to eat it (or something bad would happen), how would they react? Do they even LIKE pineapple pizza?

Your character is given a voodoo doll of themself. What do they do with it? Do they see if it actually works?

Can your character draw? What do they like to draw? Do they doodle?

What were their parents like? How has that affected how they are as an adult?

Does your character like candy? Do they get sugar rushes? What are they like when they get a rush?

“Your hair is so soft…” 

“It’s too cold! Get back here…” 

“No, I’m not letting you go. It’s too early to get out of bed.” 

“You’re so cute when you pout like that!” 

“C’mere, you can sit in my lap until I’m done working!” 

“Surprise tickle attack!” 

“Share your jacket, I forgot mine.” 

“Just relax, I’ll wash your hair for you.” 

“I’m not going to stop poking you until you give me some attention.” 

“I didn’t mean to leave you alone for so long—come here, I missed you.” 

“Are you wearing my shirt?” 

“Ssh, you’re safe. I wont let go of you.” 

“What, does that feel good?” 

content warning: suicidal thoughts.

“I shouldn’t have left you.”

“I’m here for you.”

“I’ll kill that son of a bitch who did this to you.”

“Please let me help you.”

“Oh my god, are you okay?”

“Don’t you dare to leave me, not now.”

“You didn’t deserve any of this.”

“Please tell me this is a nightmare.”

“Shh, it’s okay.. you’re safe now.”

“Why are you crying?”

“I can’t believe I did this to you.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

“I don’t want you to die.”

“Talk to me.”

“I fucked up, alright? I’m sorry.”

“Where were you? I was so worried!”

“Stop saying you’re fine when you’re obviously not.”

“Seeing you like this hurts me.”

“I don’t want to live anymore.”

“Can you please just.. go away?”

“I’m worthless.”

“I’m sorry, please don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m going to die.”

“It’s nothing, I swear.”

“I don’t want to talk about it so just drop it.”

“Please don’t leave me alone.”

“ oh my god what happened? ”

“ you’re bleeding! why are you bleeding? ”

“ who did this to you? ”

“ that’s… a lot of blood ”

“ i think… it’s broken ”

“ can you move? does it hurt? ”

“ we need to get you to a hospital ”

“ what are you talking about? this is not just a scratch ”

“ it’s just a scratch ”

“ it’s nothing, i’m totally fine ”

“ that’s not supposed to bend that way ”

“ what the hell did you do? ”

“ don’t you pass out on me ”

“ i’m just so tired ”

“ hey, whoa, you alright there? ”

“ i just need to sit down for a minute ”

“ let me carry you ”

“ it won’t stop bleeding! ”

“ you’re gonna be just fine, i promise ”

“ hey! i said stay awake! ”

“ tell me what hurts ”

“ does it hurt when i do this? ”

“ ow! that hurts! ”

“ i’m fine, i can walk, just give me a minute ”

Time for some dark and broody prompts fit for spooky October!

☆ I’m not the monster you think I am. I’m the monster you wanted me to be.

☆ Just like his father.

☆ I like storms. They let me know that even the sky screams sometimes.

soulmates au

childhood best friends au

teacher/student au

teacher/single parent au

one night stand and falling pregnant au

meeting at a coffee shop au

fake relationship au

roommates au

meeting online au

high school popular kid/nerd au

partners in crime au

writer and editor au

co-stars au

lab partners au

meeting in the E.R/A&E au

brand new neighbours au

meeting at a party whilst drunk au

waking up with amnesia au

parents meeting when they take their kids to class au

dysfunctional relationship au

best friends sibling au 

two miserable people meeting at a wedding au

meeting on a train ride au

literally bumping into each other au

librarian/avid reader au

sitting on the same park bench au

meeting at a support group au

knocking on the wrong door au

going away to war au

tourist/knowledgeable local au

prostitute/client au

doctor/companion au

celebrity/fan au

meeting at a masquerade ball au

one of them trying to get the other one off of drugs au

living in a society where their love is taboo au

meeting in prison au

cop/person getting a speeding ticket au

long distance relationship au

exes meeting again after not speaking for years au

ghost/living person au

star-crossed lovers au

falling in love with their best friend’s partner au

one of them being diagnosed with a terminal illness au

pretending to hate each other au

nanny/single parent au

meeting at a festival au

meeting again at a high school reunion au

boss/intern au

Rules: Followers send a number to your Inbox (Ask), and you write a drabble using that dialogue in your piece. Try to keep up! Expect a TON of requests!

Don’t you dare say another word.

We’re going to freeze to death

I don’t mind if I do

I’ve never seen you dance before

What do you mean you’re leaving?

You drank a gallon of milk over night

Please, I’m begging you.

You don’t know how to tie your shoes?

Is a chicken really a bird if they can’t fly?

You it be a grown up, but you’re still my baby

I got fired.

We’re out of money?!?

Have you seen my stamp collection?

Fire! Fire! Fire!

You watched 4 seasons today?

Stop questioning my life choices.

You didn’t have to marry me, you know

It’s my turn to pick

It’s a hundred degrees out

When’s the last time you smiled?

Stop being such a brat

If I wanted one, I would have gotten it myself

Wanna see something cool?

I think it’s broken

This is a once in a lifetime thing and you want me to blow it off

Friends don’t last, they never last

Sometimes I just don’t want to exist

I should’ve written it down

Go eat an exotic food or something

Way to not like my Instagram post

Remember Walkmans?

He would have really loved that…

It’s a shame when things, when people, go so soon

They used to tell me I’d never amount to anything

I almost didn’t graduate

I should’ve stayed in bed

I woke up knowing this would happen

I had a dream last night about _____

She sat next to me on the bus

Just promise to never lie to me, okay?

I thought you said you were a doctor

This cost a thousand dollars?!

Foreigners…pffft

He used to be my best friend.

Look at them, their perfect tans and cold margaritas…assholes

I’m not the jealous type, I swear

I didn’t cheat!

Let me smell your breath

Did you let the dog out?

We’re taking you downtown

If you don’t like it, leave.

She’s got a way with words

I didn’t know it when I met her

It sure as hell does change things!

I remember when you were a baby!

Give me my beer, or else

You asked me if unicorns were real

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

Why so glum?

Cotton candy is for adults too, leave me alone.

Yeah, okay, when pigs fly.

I haven’t seen you in ages!

Picnics are for losers

If I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything

Somethings are just better as memories

She was hot, admit it

When the hell did you break the vacuum?

We’re rich.

Bed. Now.

Call me that one more time, see what happens

Don’t ever call here again

Your brother told me all about it

I’m pregnant.

Happy birthday!

Apples, oranges, same thing

Don’t let it go to your head

Is it gone?

Where’s the first aid kit?

What do you mean you’re in jail?

Fight me.

Will you marry me?

stop worrying so much

Come on! Hurry!

Put your hands where I can see them

Strike 3

You’re cute with glasses

Are you five?

You have enough

Are you drunk?

Road trip!

You’ve been listening to the same song on repeat all week….

She’s your sister. You have to help her.

I owe you what?

Let’s bet.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

I could’ve gone pro

All I need is you, and Cheerios

You don’t need another dog

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth

Nobody needs fake friends

I just want somebody who’ll text first

Buy me chocolates and tell me everything’s going to be okay

Are you asking me out?

Remember that really embarrassing memory you told me to never speak of again?

I’m soaked.

He’s been like that all day

This house isn’t even haunted

Isn’t that bad luck?

Shut up and dance

*Make your own*

do not start ur character design by doing a full, refined turnaround/model sheet.

like. everyone in my childrens book il class is fuckin doing this even though most of them are illustration majors and its a huge mistake (our prof literally warned them against this, and YET)

any time you design a character, start by not caring. by just doing what feels right. dont settle on the first thing; play around. and then draw your character a shitload of times before u start a ref sheet

dont finish anything, just. do super fast sketches of them over and over and over. fill up a page or two. as you draw them theyll evolve. that will happen whether your sketch it out at the beginning or jump right into a final draft, and lemme tell u, u do NOT want ur character evolving and changing AFTER ur final draft. u want to get that out of the way early so u can get a decently consistent finished product

then when you go to do your model sheet you will already be able to keep your character on model without it bc youve drawn them a shitload of times. then it wont be “struggling to draw the character the same every time” itll just be “this is what the character looks like and i could draw them with my eyes closed bc of muscle memory”

dont just jump in and be like “shit i gotta have this full complex polished thing right out of the gate!” like. in the beginning, Do Not Work Hard. play. play a lot. and THEN do a refined drawing. your refined drawing will look way better, too, bc by then youll be completely comfortable with your design

“Creating one interesting character is hard enough — but when it comes to writing a whole novel or series of books, you have to create dozens of them. How can you keep your supporting cast from seeming like cookie-cutter people? There’s no easy answer, but a few tricks might help you create minor characters who don’t feel too minor.” [x]

10 Secrets to Creating Unforgettable Supporting Characters

Give them at lease one defining characteristic. “…lots of people have one or two habits that you notice the first time you meet them, that stand out in your mind even after you learn more about them.”

Give them an origin story. “…Your main character doesn’t necessarily need an origin story, because you’ve got the whole book to explain who he/she is and what he/she is about. But a supporting character? You get a paragraph or five, to explain the formative experience that made her become the person she is, and possibly how she got whatever skills or powers she possesses.”

Make sure they talk in a distinctive fashion. “…you still have to make sure your characters don’t all talk the same. Some of them talk in nothing but short sentences, others in nothing but long, rolling statements full of subordinate clauses and random digressions. Or you might have a character who always follows one long sentence with three short ones.“ ”…One dirty shortcut is to hear the voice of a particular actor or famous person in your head, as one character talks.“

Avoid making them paragons of virtue, or authorial stand-ins. ”…People who have no flaws are automatically boring, and thus forgettable.“ ”…Any character who has foibles, or bad habits, or destructive urges, will always stand out more than one who is pure and wonderful in all ways. And nobody will believe that you’ve chosen to identify yourself, as the author, with someone who’s so messed up. (Because of course, you are a perfect human being, with no flaws of your own.)“

Anchor them to a particular place. ”…A huge part of making a supporting character “pop” is placing her somewhere. Give her a haunt — some place she hangs out a lot. A tavern, a bar, an engine room, a barracks, a dog track, wherever. It works both ways — by anchoring a character in a particular location, you make both the character and the location feel more real.“

Introduce them twice — the first time in the background, the second in the foreground. ”…You mention a character in passing: “And Crazy Harriet was there too, chewing on her catweed like always.” And you say more about them. And then later, the next time we see that character, you give more information or detail, like where she scores her catweed from. The reader will barely remember that you mentioned the character the first time — but it’s in the back of the reader’s mind, and there’s a little “ping” of identification.“

Focus on what they mean to your protagonists ”…What does this minor character mean to your hero? What role does he fulfill? What does your hero want or need from Randolph the Grifter? If you know what your hero finds memorable about Randolph, then you’re a long ways towards finding what your readers will remember, too.“

Give them an arc — or the illusion of one. ”… You can create the appearance of an arc by establishing that a character feels a particular way — and then, a couple hundred pages later, you mention that now the character feels a different way.“ ”…A minor character who changes in some way is automatically more interesting than one who remains constant…“

The more minor the character, the more caricature-like they may have to be. ”…This one is debatable — you may be a deft enough author that you can create a hundred characters, all of whom are fully fleshed out, well-rounded human beings with full inner lives.“ ”…some writing styles simply can’t support or abide cartoony minor characters. But for your third ensign, who appears for a grand total of two pages, on page 147 and page 398, you may have to go for cartoony if you want him to live in the reader’s mind as anything other than a piece of scenery.“

Decide which supporting characters you’ll allow to be forgettable after all. ”…And this is probably inevitable. You only have so much energy, and your readers only have so much mental space. Plus, if 100 supporting characters are all vivid and colorful and people your readers want to go bowling with, then your story runs the risk of seeming overwritten and garish.Sometimes you need to resign yourself to the notion that some characters are going to be extras, or that they’re literally going to fulfill a plot function without having any personality to speak of. It’s a major sacrifice they’re making, subsuming their personality for the sake of the major players’ glory.“