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 105 works of fiction featuring 35 different Characters!

Featured Story

Published: Oct 22, 2020

Two Weeks of Rain

It was raining. Again. Today would mark two weeks of rain, everyday, by Angela's count. Not rain every second during that time; there had been breaks, just rain each day at least once. It was not a misty, sputtering rain. None of it had been. At some point during each day there had been a solid downpour, which is what she was counting.

She wondered how there could be that much moisture in the air, over and over again for such a period of time. Curious, she searched for the records, and found that the rain was quite localized. Northeast Illinois seemed to be the only place getting the rain, as if it were part of some science experiment. This was exactly how Angela thought about it: meteorological experiment.

The water was pooled on the streets - the drains refusing to accept anymore water. The river was high, nearly touching the bridges. She wondered how many basements were filled; how many garden apartments ruined.

Recent Stories

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, ...

Published: Mar 13, 2026

Rain Water

featuring: Marie Salman

Rain water cascaded off the roof of a motel. Marie Salman huddled next to the wall, hugging her knees. Long, dirty amber hair clung to her head like a helmet, framing her ...

Published: Aug 29, 2025

Lamb History

featuring: Moreland Bouquett

Moreland stood before the picture window filled with hanging sausages, dried jerky, smoked slabs, ribs, and birds, plucked clean, dangling by rope. His mouth watered. He entered the shop, breathing heavily and ...

Published: Jul 12, 2025

He Walked too Far

featuring: Moreland Bouquett

Sometimes the long walks took Moreland into new parts of the city, blocks and blocks that he had never seen before or that had completely changed since the last time he had ...

Characters