How to use astrological signs to create deeper characters

Using astrological signs to create deeper characters can add layers of personality, motivation, and behavior traits that make them more relatable and intriguing.

1. Understand the Basics of Astrological Signs:

Each of the 12 zodiac signs has distinct traits, strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes.

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Energetic, courageous, and impulsive.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Reliable, patient, and stubborn.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Adaptable, curious, and indecisive.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Emotional, nurturing, and moody.

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Confident, ambitious, and egotistical.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Analytical, meticulous, and critical.

Libra (September 23 - October 22): Charming, diplomatic, and indecisive.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Intense, passionate, and secretive.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Optimistic, adventurous, and blunt.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Disciplined, responsible, and pessimistic.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Innovative, independent, and detached.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Compassionate, imaginative, and escapist.

2. Assign a Sign to Your Character

Choose an astrological sign that fits the character's role in your story or the personality traits you envision for them. This will serve as a foundation for their behavior and motivations.

3. Develop Traits Based on the Sign

Use the core traits of the chosen sign to flesh out your character's personality.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Define the character’s strengths and weaknesses according to their sign. For instance, a Leo might be very confident and charismatic but also struggle with arrogance.

Motivations and Fears: Base their motivations and fears on their astrological traits. A Cancer character might be driven by a deep need for security and family, while an Aquarius might be motivated by a desire for innovation and freedom.

Behavior and Reactions: Think about how their sign influences their behavior in different situations. An Aries character might react impulsively in a crisis, while a Virgo might approach the same situation with careful planning and analysis.

4. Create Relationships Dynamics

Astrological signs can also inform how characters interact with each other. Consider compatibility and conflicts based on their signs. 

Compatible Signs: Relationships between compatible signs can be harmonious and supportive. For example, a Taurus and a Virgo might share a practical, grounded relationship.

Conflictual Signs: Opposing or different signs can create tension and conflict. For instance, a free-spirited Sagittarius might clash with a cautious Capricorn.

5. Add Depth with Birth Charts

To add even more depth, consider the character’s full birth chart, including their Moon sign, rising sign, and other planetary positions. 

Moon Sign: Represents their emotional nature and inner self.

Rising Sign: Influences their outward behavior and first impressions.

Other Planets: Each planet rules different aspects of life (e.g., Venus for love, Mars for action), adding complexity to their personality.

Example of character development using astrological signs. 

Character: Elena

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Moon Sign: Cancer

Rising Sign: Capricorn

Personality Traits

Scorpio Sun: Elena is intense, passionate, and secretive. She has a magnetic personality and is deeply loyal to those she loves.

Cancer Moon: Emotionally, she is nurturing and sensitive. She craves emotional security and has a strong intuition.

Capricorn Rising: Outwardly, she appears disciplined, ambitious, and responsible. She often takes on leadership roles and is seen as reliable.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Determined, resourceful, protective, and strategic.

Weaknesses: Jealous, controlling, secretive, and overly cautious.

Motivations and Fears

Motivations: Driven by a desire for deep emotional connections and personal transformation. Seeks to protect loved ones and achieve professional success.

Fears: Fear of betrayal, vulnerability, and failure.

Behaviour and Reactions

In a crisis, Elena remains calm and strategic, using her intuition to navigate the situation. While in  relationships, she is fiercely loyal but can become possessive and jealous.

Relationships

Compatible with: Cancer (shared emotional depth), Pisces (shared intuition and creativity).

Conflictual with: Leo (clash of egos), Aquarius (different values and approaches).

By using astrological signs, you can create multi-dimensional characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and relationships, enriching your story and engaging your readers but you can also use it as a  guide to help you understand more about who your characters are. 

Self publishing vs traditional publishing

Self-publishing and traditional publishing both have advantages and disadvantages and only you can decide which path is right for you. I have written this blog post to lay out some of the advantages and disadvantages of both self publishing and traditional publishing as well as some other considerations. 

Self-Publishing

Advantages:

1. Control: You have complete control over the content, design, and marketing of your book.

2. Speed: The process is faster. You can publish your book as soon as it's ready.

3. Higher Royalties: You keep a larger percentage of the profits from each sale.

4. No Gatekeepers: You don't need to secure an agent or publisher's approval.

5. Creative Freedom: You can make all decisions about your book’s presentation and content.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost: you will have the upfront costs for editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing are your responsibility.

2. Distribution: It's harder to get your book into physical bookstores.

3. Marketing: You must handle all the marketing efforts yourself, which can be time-consuming and challenging.

4. Credibility: Traditionally published books may carry more prestige and credibility.

5. Time: Managing all aspects of publishing can be time-consuming.

Traditional Publishing

Advantages:

1. Support: Publishers provide editorial, design, marketing, and distribution support. 

2. Advance: You may receive an advance against royalties.

3. Credibility: Being published by a reputable publisher can enhance your book's credibility.

4. Distribution: Better access to physical bookstores and international markets.

5. Focus on Writing: You can focus more on writing while the publisher handles the business side.

Disadvantages:

1. Control: You have less control over the final product and marketing strategies.

2. Royalties: You will earn a smaller percentage of sales compared to self-publishing.

3. Time: The process can be lengthy, often taking years from writing your manuscript to the publication of your story.

4. Rejection: It can be challenging to secure a publishing deal, and you may face numerous rejections.

5. Rights: You might have to give up certain rights to your work.

Considerations

Goals: What are your primary goals? If you want creative control and faster publication, self-publishing might be better. If you seek credibility and support, traditional publishing could be the way to go.

Budget: Can you afford the upfront costs associated with self-publishing?

Skills: Are you willing and able to learn about marketing, design, and distribution, or do you prefer to focus solely on writing?

Patience: Are you willing to wait for the traditional publishing process, or do you want to get your book published and out to the public quickly?

Choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing depends on your individual circumstances and what goals and hopes you want to achieve with your book.

The difference between two of my books

 

A year ago I did a blog post on the differences between my first Wattpad book secrets and The Hybrid mate (check it out here if interested) but I thought it could be a good idea to compare the differences and similarities between two of my books The Hybrid Mate and Bound Desires 

The main differences between The Hybrid Mate and Bound Desires would be the word count with The Hybrid Mate having a word count of around 48k words and Bound Desires of a word count of around 58k words. 

The fact that Ruby in The Hybrid Mate knew of the supernatural world already unlike Freya who only knew a human life and was thrown into the supernatural realm after her kidnapping. Bound Desires also has a lot more supernatural creatures appear throughout the book unlike The Hybrid Mate. Bound Desires also has a lot more “main” character deaths. 

The biggest similarities between the two however is that both are human at the start of the book and hate their mates for who they are at the start of the book before slowly becoming more accepting and even falling in love as the book continues to progress. 

Both Ruby and Freya have a child by the end of the book and both have big themes of evil people and things set to destroy them.