Characterisation

Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but the physical characteristics of someone you don’t care for.

Tom was not your average London bloke. He had been raised in rural Britain in a close-knit family with one brother and one sister. His parents were unskilled but hard workers of modest means. They had sacrificed a lot for their children, but without spoiling them. Where other families spent money on nice cars and eating out, Tom’s parents drove a beat up on Volvo, had maintained a substantial garden, kept their own lambs to slaughter. They saved their money for music lessons and weekend sport. This gave all three children both the aptitude and physicality to be well balanced adults.

Tom’s sister Linda was now at college studying to be a doctor. His youngest brother had just finished school and embarking on a gap year volunteering in South East Asia before intending on pursuing a career in agriculture. But Tom, had gone out on his own. As the eldest he had learned drive and the reward of hard work early on and so when his first innovation had peaked the interest of several American investors, he didn’t stop there. He made his first million at 21 and by 29 he had an established development company of his own.

To look at Tom wasn’t much. He was short and thin, and had that pale freckly look of a locally grown Briton. His hair was mousy brown and unruly, often in need of a cut. Often, when meeting new business colleagues, he was mistaken for the intern. He dressed in clothes that were cheap and made him look like a boy, plain t-shirts and jeans that were often too loose. But Tom’s greatest inhibition was his confidence around women. He had none.

He surrounded himself with like-minded male staff. The only female he could work with was Helen, a middle aged, plump woman who managed his diary and appointments with an iron fist. Needless to say, Helen did not give Tom any more confidence for dealing with females of his own age group.

To relax Tom played music; the guitar, the piano or just listening with headphones in a quiet place. He jogged 10km every morning before work and he could not stomach strong flavours in his food. He didn't drink and he detested crowds.