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 108 works of fiction featuring 37 different Characters!

Featured Story

Published: Nov 19, 2020

One Hump or Two

The man wore safety glasses and heavy boots, probably steel-toed. He led one camel and then the next down the ramp into Allen's fenced side yard. In the back of the trailer several horses and possibly a bull were gated off.

"You have more deliveries?" Allen asked.

"Yeah." He pushed up the ramp, secured it, and locked the back doors. He tapped the door twice.

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"You hit the door twice."

"Oh just that ambulance thing you see on the television. I'm warning the animals we're about to go." He snuck a dip of chew into his cheek. "Why camels?"

"Oh it's just something I saw in a movie."

"What do you know about them?"

"One hump or two."

He laughed, doubled over for a moment. He opened the truck door and climbed to the seat. The gears clunked, and he leaned out the window to say, "That's really a funny one!"

Recent Stories

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 ...

Published: Mar 18, 2026

Stranded Diner

featuring: Andrew Puck

Andrew watched the hostess as she welcomed diners, handled the phone, and sent waiters to the correct tables. He admired her dark hair, and the way she stood, with her hips askew, ...

Characters