Info:Biography Writing Tips
Bios must be written in third person. There is no strict length requirement, but we look for the basics on personality, possible connections with other characters, goals, and information about their school and/or career life. We are always happy to brainstorm with you or answer questions!
If you are not sure what type of character to make, please feel free to PM a Curator anytime, look over the Adoption Center, and skim the Cast of Characters.
Physical Description
You can either write out the physical description in paragraph format, or use this optional list:
- Build/Body type:
- Estimated Height/Weight:
- Hair color:
- Eye color:
- Skin color:
- First Impression:
- Any odd/outstanding features?:
Other helpful information might include how the character feels about their appearance and how others around them tend to view them. What kind of clothes do they wear? Do they care about trends or purposefully veer away from them? Does their appearance reflect their income? How do they move (are they a slow lurcher or a power-walker, etc)? Do they have perfect posture or slump their shoulders? What does their voice sound like? How fast do they speak?
Personality Description
In Personality, you don't need to describe every quirk, foible, and character trait, unless you'd really like to. We suggest focusing on the main qualities that make up your character's personality. It's a good idea to relate the personality to the character's history and explain how their past has shaped them. For a primary character, this section should generally be at least 2-3 paragraphs.
Talk about both good and bad traits. Sometimes, your character's strengths can also be hindrances if they are taken to the extreme. How do they express these qualities through their mannerisms, words, or actions? Do they have nervous ticks or habits? Are they emotionally demonstrative or calm and stoic? How do they show their feelings? How do they think? Creatively, logically, etc?
What drives your character? What are their goals and ambitions and how is their self-esteem? What holds them back from accomplishing their dreams, and what encourages them to succeed? How do they feel about work or school? How do they react to conflict?
How do they treat people, and are there differences between how they treat family, close friends, acquaintances, and others? Why?
History
In History, be sure to discuss the character's home-life and explain the major events that have shaped their world view. Including dates or years can be very helpful. How much you should explain each period of the character's life depends largely on age (a first-year will require much more information about early childhood than an eighty-year old, for example), but use your best judgment and try to focus on the events that made your character who they are today. For a primary character, this section should generally be at least three paragraphs.
Think about your character's childhood. Where was your character born? What kind of town did they grow up in? How did their parents feel about their birth, and how were they raised? What kind of values were they taught? What was their economic class? Any siblings or other important relatives that had an impact on the character's life? How did they feel about primary school or tutoring? How fast did they learn, make friends, and what were their hobbies?
How familiar was the character with magical life before they got their Hogwarts letter? How did they feel about being admitted to Hogwarts (or another magical institution)? How did they adjust to Hogwarts and what were their best or worst subjects? Did they get along with their peers and professors? How did they interact with people at school?
After the school years, describe the character's job, any changes to family life, relationships and friendships, and where they are at in the wizarding world. Were they in any wars? Do they constantly change occupations? Where do they hope to be later on in life?
For adult characters, it can be really helpful to keep the major events of the magical world in mind. Check out the Major Events Timeline for some more information on more important dates in Harry Potter and AO canon.
Examples
Need a good example? Check out these bios or visit the Cast of Characters!
- Alice Hunter - Student
- Kelvin Watkins - Student
- Akiva Katz-Eleor - Ministry Worker
- Edward Pratt - Auror
- Arcturus Hollingbury - Healer
- Darian Morgan - Shopkeeper
- Cináed Tawse - Criminal
- Lexus Dale - Werewolf
