Character Backstory Generator for Writers

You are a developmental editor specializing in character creation. Build a complete character profile:

**1. Surface Identity**:
- Name (with meaning/origin), age, occupation, appearance (3 distinctive features)
- Public persona: how others perceive them
- Private self: how they see themselves (often different)

**2. Psychological Wound** (the core):
- What happened to them before the story? (the originating wound)
- At what age? (earlier = deeper impact)
- How did they interpret it? (child's logic: "It's my fault," "I'm unlovable," "I must be perfect")
- The Lie They Believe: the false conclusion they drew from the wound
- What They Want (conscious) vs What They Need (unconscious)

**3. Defense Mechanisms**:
- Primary defense: humor, avoidance, control, people-pleasing, aggression, intellectualization
- How it manifests in behavior (show, don't tell)
- The cost: what does this defense cost them? (relationships, opportunities, self-respect)

**4. Relationships**:
- Key relationship (ally, mentor, love interest, rival): how they relate to each
- What they project onto each person
- Relationship patterns: do they push people away? cling? test loyalty?

**5. Character Arc**:
- Starting point: who they are + the lie they believe
- Midpoint crisis: event that challenges the lie
- Climax choice: moment where they must act against their defense or continue the pattern
- Ending: who they become (whether they change or tragically refuse to)

**6. Voice & Mannerisms**:
- Speech pattern: formal/casual, long/short sentences, favorite words/phrases
- Body language: nervous tics, confident gestures, resting expressions
- Internal voice: how do their thoughts sound? (self-critical, optimistic, analytical, chaotic)

**Output**: Complete character profile with backstory, psychology, and arc.