Welcome to 1,000 Characters!

This is a project about exploration, into writing and into characters. The goal is to create one thousand characters, and learn more about all of them. Most days (at least twenty per month) there should be a new story snippet to keep the words flowing. Do not fret that everything (or at least most things) are short, as that is the intention.

1,000 Characters is a practice for better storytelling, improved fiction. The focus is diving into characters, looking curiously and deeply into their hopes, dreams, desires. Exploring new characters, their stories, the places they live and work, becomes a journey of fun. This process of discovery should, in many cases, lead to longer stories, possibly even a novel. Dare it be said: maybe novels.

A total of 109 works of fiction featuring 38 different Characters!

Featured Story

Published: Oct 26, 2020

The Drummer

Behind the drums he looked short. I had been meaning to meet him for weeks now, but this or that thing in life had kept me from entering the bar. For some time I watched as he flicked the sticks from one drum to a cymbal to another drum, with precision and speed. The dexterity of his wrists was much too fast to see with the eyes.

I had heard he was very tall, having to duck through door ways. The pictures I had seen of him when he was younger, in old magazines, his head was always tilted and his back slouched. But at the back of the stage, seating at the drum kit, he sat straight and bobbed his head while keeping time. He looked much younger than his 72 years despite the gray hair, probably due to the smile on his face.

Recent Stories

Published: Jun 30, 2026

Twenty Ways to Talk to No One

featuring: Luciano Xavier

I dabbled in French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Russian. I never learned to be good with any of them, probably because I couldn't find someone to practice with. A few ...

Published: May 14, 2026

No Stills

featuring: Donald York

I walk the bridge path everyday, both directions, all two miles or more. I see a lot of tourists taking photographs of everything: the skyline, other bridges, the harbor, monuments, even the ...

Published: May 11, 2026

Movie Masks

featuring: Lizzy Unger

I thought the masks were terrifying: big circular filters near the mouth, a clear plastic visor shielding the eyes, heavy back rubber to fit the contours of a human face, and thick ...

Published: May 07, 2026

In the Attic

featuring: Lizzy Unger

We climbed the stairs to the attic; the house protested with creaks and groans. I opened the door slowly, stirring dust. The air was hazy and the ceiling sloped sharply down from ...

Published: Apr 02, 2026

Seeds of Boredom

featuring: Brent Que

Boredom was the overpowering state of mind around me, in the house, in the city, in the country, in much of the world. A dictator of decisions for the populace, impressively exercising ...

Characters