The blank page method is really simple. You take a blank page, and you fill it with as many individual ideas as you can. Divide it however you want, make as many categories as you need, just start putting down ideas.

Once you have a bunch of ideas jotted down, just start piecing them together and coming up with a way to make them all work.

If you need help understanding how to use the blank page method, a detailed example can be found in my worldbuilding lesson.

General format: Choose any character element and then list as many variations and archetypes that fall within that element. Then, take one of your ideas and combine them with suggestions from other users. Try to keep your suggestions short and open to interpretation.

Example:

• Education: streetwise, book smart, specialist, simple-minded
• Body: robotic arm, missing both legs, built like a brick wall, built like a street lamp
• Upbringing: abandoned, many friends, repentant bully

Combined character: A repentant bully who committed themselves to academic studies after losing both their legs.

Many questions arise that can begin to form your story around an idea. How did they lose their legs? Who did they bully? Why does their accident drive them to obsess over academics?

Now, it's time to add your ideas!

Position in a team:

• Leader
• Lancer
• A traitor
• The healer
• The ranger
• The specialist
• The heart of the team