The Maya & Jesse Method

10 min

basics

Maya and Jesse are characters I created with AI assistance who feel genuinely alive. This method is how I develop characters that have depth, consistency, and the potential for rich stories. I'm sharing it because it works.

Key Concepts

1
Start with a core contradiction: what tension lives inside them?
2
Give them something they want and something they need (different things)
3
Define their 'operating system'—how they approach problems
4
Create a signature detail—one physical/behavioral quirk
5
Write them into conflict with someone they care about

Examples

Prompt / Technique

Maya: Core contradiction = wants control, needs to let go. Want = stability. Need = acceptance. Operating system = analyzes everything. Signature = taps fingers when thinking.

Jesse: Core contradiction = wants freedom, needs connection. Want = independence. Need = belonging. Operating system = instinct first, think later. Signature = always moving, can't sit still.

Result / Insight

Framework creates characters with built-in story potential

Try It Yourself

Take a character you're developing. Define their core contradiction, their want vs. need, their operating system, and their signature detail. Then write a short scene where these elements are visible.

Pro Tips

Contradictions create depth—embrace them

Want vs. need creates internal conflict automatically

The 'operating system' makes their choices feel consistent

Signature details make characters memorable

Summary

The Maya & Jesse method creates characters with built-in depth and story potential. It's a framework for richness.

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Character Arcs

Dialogue That Reveals Character

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