Editing Creating Characters for Character-Driven Games (section)

==Background & Hooks==
2. Start to write the background. While you're coming up with the story, make sure you include maybe 2-5 things from the character's past that could affect his present, such as:

*An enemy or rival
*A long-lost friend or relative
*A dirty secret
*A goal
*A rumour the character has always wanted to find the truth behind
*A reputation, deserved or otherwise
*An ongoing relationship, good or bad
*A destiny (go easy on this one, it's the weakest option, and always talk to the GM first)

You don't necessarily have to specify what the secret is if you're using a secret; you can let the GM surprise you.

Don't be afraid to give the GM things like enemies or a bad rep that will fuck you over in play. If you have trouble bringing yourself to do this, look at it this way: The chances are that the GM already knows about the Amazonian Penis Fish, and he already has the power to fuck you over in any way he likes, up to and including Flying Amazonian Penis Fish. So when you write that you have a powerful rival, don't think of it as giving him ideas about how to have that rival fuck you; think of it as distracting him from the Amazonian Penis Fish option.