The story is set in a world much like our own, except that ghosts are a known and accepted things. The main characters are ghost exterminators, which is a blue collar job much like pest control or exterminators of bugs/etc in our world. I haven’t yet decided if there are any other big differences in their world, but I think it may have more Victorian influence. A little steamunk leaning, perhaps.
Character 1: female, around 20 years old.
Summary
She was raised with a lot of pressure on her to be a high achiever. After secretly dropping out of college, she takes a blue collar job as a ghost exterminator to pay the bills. She initially looks down on the job because of the snobbiness her parents taught her, but grows to respect the profession more and even genuinely love it. So her arc is learning that a degree doesn’t make you a better or happier person, basically, and that all jobs and people deserve respect. Some humility.
Her name was originally going to be [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] [name_f]Hortense[/name_f], but now I want to save [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] for a future daughter, so she needs to be renamed. Not sure if I want to keep the Victorian vibe, but her parents are definitely pretentious types, so something elegant sounding, probably long and frilly.
Character 2: female, 50s.
Summary
The owner of the ghost extermination business. She’s very proud of what she’s accomplished. She’s got a very good heart and will try to help others and cut them more slack than they’d even cut her. Her employees are her family and she will stick up for them.
Character 3: male, 40s.
Summary
One of the employees of the business. He’s very gruff on the outside, rough around the edges. He’s sort of always on high alert, and doesn’t have time for goofing around. Deep down he cares deeply about the others, but he’ll only show it begrudgingly. A secret softie.
Character 4: male, mid 20s.
Summary
The main character’s most frequent partner on jobs. He didn’t have the same opportunities as her growing up, so he doesn’t share her values. He takes a lot of pride in his work as well, and is very good at it. He is the kindest and gentlest with the people who hire them–after all, being haunted can be very upsetting. He’s got the most knack for psychology and emotional intelligence.
Character 5: female, early-mid 20s.
Summary
Works at an oddities shop, very enthusiastic about the paranormal and anything odd. Believes in things others don’t, like bigfoot and aliens. Has glasses, hunched over posture, a high pitched voice, and is usually smiling. Super passionate about her interests, and very friendly.
As always, I turned this into a novel itself. Moreso than names suggestions, I guess I need help deciding if they should have regular names or a stylized naming style in this world! Thanks so much in advance!
