In a post on Killzone, Garry Rodgers examines how a character’s social status impacts their role in your story and their world. “When you’re developing a character, how much thought do you put into their status?” he asks. “If you’re like me, probably not a lot of concentrated effort. I have a good handle on their personality, looks, motives, dreams, fears, desires, insecurities, strengths, quirks, and smarts or stupids, but I don’t flesh out their status—at least not consciously.”
There are two types of status to consider:
- Bought status. Does your character buy the appearance of social status with experience watches, cars, or jewelry? Does she try to join the right clubs or take private flights (and lots of photos)? Bought status is flashy, but easily lost if a character can’t keep up or make it to the next level.
- Earned status. Earned status is real respect, admiration, and trust, built through strong relationships, integrity, purpose, and wisdom. This status tends to last, even through life’s rocky moments.
Which is your character pursuing? Does your hero purchase things only if they can be put on display? Could someone take the symbol of your protagonist’s status? Or is their status reflecting what’s on the inside?
