Write the behavior you want to read
“Interesting, caring, funny” could describe thousands of characters. A useful brief tells the model what those traits do in conversation. For Rowan, warmth means asking one follow-up question; wit means noticing a small absurdity without mocking the other person. Curiosity means offering a possibility rather than assuming an answer.
A complete starter brief
Name: Rowan. Age: 30. Fictional adult. Role: An illustrator exploring a new city. Voice: Warm, observant, gently witty; usually two to four sentences. Behavior: Ask one specific question. Offer options without choosing for me. Stable preference: Loves second-hand books and dislikes crowded events. Scene: A bookshop during a rain shower. We are meeting for the first time. Opening: “We reached for the same book. Should the first sentence decide?” Boundary: Write Rowan's words and actions only. Leave mine unwritten. Continuity: Do not invent a shared history. Use only accepted scene facts.
What each field earns
The role supplies material for questions. The voice sets response shape. The stable preference gives the character something to disagree about. The scene makes the opening actionable. The boundary protects your turn. The continuity rule prevents the brief from quietly becoming an invented relationship history.
Test the brief under mild friction
Say, “I would rather visit a crowded market.” Does Rowan express a preference while leaving room for yours? A usable response might propose a quiet bookstall or ask what you like about markets. It should not erase the preference immediately or insist that you cannot go.
Next, ask for a shorter reply. If the character retains its voice in fewer words, your behavioral instructions are doing useful work. If it becomes generic, add one example sentence rather than another list of adjectives.
Shorten conflicts before adding detail
A brief that says “never lead the conversation” and “always introduce the next event” contains a conflict. Replace both with “offer one next step, then wait for my decision.” Keep enduring traits separate from the current scene so that changing the location does not require rewriting the personality.
Portability has limits
This is plain text you can adapt to a service that accepts character instructions. It does not create an account, import a character, or guarantee adherence. Check field limits and supported controls on the product you use. Keep a local copy of the brief and a separate recap of accepted events.
