Colorado Technical University

What do you think of this guy?

A while ago I wrote a profile on a protagonist that I created for a novel, and according to many, he was unrealistic, and dull. I've now created a much fuller bio on him, and I'd love to here your comments on him. Robert Carter, was born in 1972 on the outskirts of the English city of Plymouth. He attended a local Primary School for two years, before he and his family moved to the centre of London. There he attended a major independent school, at which he continued through into high school. His academic achievements were mainly in practical subjects, whilst barely scratching the surface of mathematics. Considered by many to be a popular, interesting individual, Carter made many good friends in his early life. After leaving High School, he was signed at London Metropolitan University, at which he studied International Relations, and Information Technology. Alongside these core studies, he worked on his language skills, with which in a short time he managed to learn fluently. Within his several years at university, he managed to fully learn French, German, and Spanish. He also developed some basic Russian skills. He received a First Class Honours degree for International Relations, whilst achieving an above average grade for Information Technology. He was considered by his mentors and teachers to be a prospective politician, who would possibly go far in his field. However, Carter is a modest man, and, not wanting to boast about himself, he joined the Royal Navy Pilot’s course. After only a short time, he achieved Pilot Licence, allowing him to join the Royal Navy’s 800 Naval Air Squadron as a pilot. He flew the Harrier aircraft for many years, before achieving the rank of Commander. After being positioned as Air Flight commander of 800 for two years, he moved on to join the Royal Marines’ Training Course. Here, the Special Forces personnel discovered his uncanny ability of marksmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, whilst his terrible hand-eye-co-ordination let him down on many fronts. Instead of fully joining the Marines, he became a part of the Special Boat Service M Squadron, responsible for carrying out specialist boarding operations, and working with the SAS. A strong and tall man, he made a good career from this, working on several anti-terrorist operations. In 2006, whilst acting as a commander in his squadron, he was given a request to join the Secret Intelligence Service as a specialist operative. He agreed, and left the SBS to become a reserve trooper, whilst fully joining the SIS’ Directorate of Special Operations. Considered by many to be a stubborn man, he has often preferred everything to go his way, whilst playing only on orders from higher ranks. However, he is a funny man to be around, yet a bit of a perfectionist. His personal life has been unstable, hardly ever having a long relationship. He is unmarried, works for DoFO, and lives in Victoria District, London Carter has always been a keen rower, and skier. He often cycles, and is a very sporty person.

Public Comments

1. He seems so typical, there's nothing really interesting about him that makes me want to know more about him. If you want to publish your work in a friendly site for kids made by kids, go to Elm Creek Review. http://theelmcreekreview.webs.com/apps/p… You can get constructive criticism on your work, and read others work and criticize their's too.
2. what were his hobbies in school? why is is such an overachiever? i don't really like that he excels in everything he does except for math. if he is so lovable, why is he unmarried? what are his inner demons? characters need something that makes them especially interesting and drives them. is he really a psychopath at heart, or did he lose a friend when he was younger than he blames on himself? spice it up a little!
3. I'm sorry, Jan but he still does sound dull. You've tightened up on the technical details which are now more accurate but I would question whether anyone with poor hand eye coordination would ever make a pilot or an exceptional shot. It's a difficult job to make a character both human, with human flaws, and also an outstanding individual because somewhere down the line you get into stereotyping. You have to keep them believable but in this day and age make them touchy-feely too. Not easy with a macho man. Try some research into post traumatic stress disorder, or give him a sibling who is totally opposite and they're always banging heads. Not new but perhaps you could put a twist on it. If the sibling's a sister but the reader thinks she's a lover, that sort of thing. Over to you.