Twenty-Something

outline
This novel explores the chaos and contradictions of being
in your twenties. Set in a mid-sized town, the story follows
a tight-knit group of friends as they navigate drastically
different life paths. Some are getting married, others are
struggling with dead-end jobs, while a few are making
reckless decisions that land them in jail—or worse. All of
them are bound by a shared nostalgia for their carefree
teenage years, yet the growing gap between their
experiences forces them to confront what it means to grow
up.

characters
Tracy Morgan
Age: 25

Occupation: Artist, occasional gallery assistant

Personality: Introverted but tries to be extroverted, overly
judgmental, emotionally volatile, and struggles with
decision-making

Background: Tracy works as an artist, producing deeply

personal and expressive artwork. To make ends meet, she
also takes on part-time work as a gallery assistant. Despite
her talent, Tracy battles with self-doubt and
decision-making, leading to awkward social interactions and
dramatic romantic gestures.

Behavioral Traits:

Judgmental and Awkward: Tracy often tries to lighten the

mood with humor, but her comments can come off as
judgmental or insensitive, leading to tension in her
relationships.

Emotional Outbursts: She has intense emotional reactions,

frequently crying when upset and having outbursts when
overwhelmed or misunderstood.

Abandonment Issues: Tracy fears abandonment deeply and

insists on resolving conflicts before going to bed, anxious
about losing the person she’s arguing with.

Stubborn but Caring: Though stubborn and valuing her

personal space, Tracy is incredibly supportive of her friends
and would do anything for them, even if she struggles to
show her caring side openly.

Stress and Perception: Tracy hides her stress and internal

struggles, trying to appear more composed and extroverted
than she feels.

Passions and Preferences: She loves the smell of rain and

finds comfort in her art and books, despite not being
particularly book-smart. Her artistic endeavors offer both
an escape and a source of solace.

Character Arc: Tracy’s journey involves learning to

manage her intense emotions while building meaningful
connections. She faces her fears and insecurities, striving to
improve communication, self-acceptance, and find healthier
ways to cope with stress and abandonment issues.

Nina Carter
Age: 25

Occupation: Event Planner

Personality: Practical, career-focused, and socially adept

with a hidden emotional depth
Background: Nina is recently engaged and has always been
considered the practical, career-oriented one among her
friends. She works as an event planner, a job she excels in
due to her organizational skills and attention to detail.
Nina’s fiancé appears perfect on paper, and their
relationship seems ideal to others. However, beneath the
surface, Nina grapples with doubts about whether her
current path aligns with her true desires. As she plans her
wedding, she starts to question if settling down now is the
right choice for her.

Behavioral Traits:

Career-Driven: Nina is highly ambitious and invested in her

career, often prioritizing work over personal life. Her job as
an event planner reflects her love for organization and
structure.

Socially Skilled: She is outgoing and has a knack for

making connections, but she uses her social skills to
maintain her image rather than revealing her inner conflicts.

Hidden Depths: While she appears confident and in control,

Nina struggles with self-doubt and fears that she’s
compromising her true aspirations for the sake of security
and societal expectations.
Balanced Perspective: Unlike Tracy, Nina approaches
problems with a more rational mindset and relies on her
practicality to solve issues, though she often keeps her
deeper feelings to herself.

Cautious Planner: She’s meticulous and plans every detail,

from her career moves to her wedding, but this careful
planning sometimes masks her uncertainty about her future.

Character Arc: Nina’s journey involves reconciling her

professional ambitions with her personal life. She must
confront her fears about making life-altering decisions and
learn to balance her career-driven mindset with her personal
desires, ultimately finding a path that aligns with her true
self and happiness.

Charlotte Anderson
Age: 26

Occupation: Fitness Instructor and Wellness Coach

Personality: Energetic, optimistic, and fiercely independent

with a focus on personal growth
Background: Charlotte is a fitness instructor and wellness
coach known for her boundless energy and positive outlook
on life. She has built a successful career helping others
achieve their health and fitness goals, and she’s deeply
passionate about personal development. Charlotte’s
independence and self-confidence often lead her to take on
new challenges and pursue her interests with enthusiasm.
Despite her outward confidence, she sometimes struggles
with the pressure to maintain her image and live up to her
own high standards.

Behavioral Traits:

Energetic and Motivated: Charlotte is known for her high

energy levels and enthusiasm, both in her professional life
and personal interests. She approaches challenges with a
can-do attitude and encourages others to do the same.

Independence: She values her independence and often

prefers to tackle problems on her own. Her self-reliance
extends to her career, where she sets ambitious goals and
strives to achieve them without relying on others.

Passionate about Wellness: Charlotte is deeply invested in

health and wellness, not just for her clients but for herself
as well. Her life revolves around fitness routines, healthy
eating, and promoting a balanced lifestyle.
Image-Conscious: While she projects a confident and
successful persona, Charlotte occasionally feels the pressure
to live up to her own high standards, which can lead to
stress and self-doubt.

Supportive Friend: Despite her focus on personal growth,

Charlotte is a supportive and encouraging friend. She offers
motivation and practical advice, though she sometimes
struggles with balancing her desire to help with her own
personal challenges.

Character Arc: Charlotte’s journey involves balancing her

professional ambitions and personal growth with the
pressures of maintaining her public image. She must
confront the internal conflicts between her outward
confidence and her personal insecurities, ultimately learning
to embrace her imperfections and find a more authentic
sense of fulfillment.

Chris Donovan
Age: 27

Occupation: Freelance Writer and Blogger

Personality: Creative, laid-back, and a bit of a dreamer with

a knack for storytelling
Background: Chris is a freelance writer and blogger known
for his creative flair and relaxed attitude. He spends his days
writing articles, short stories, and blog posts on a variety of
topics, from travel adventures to pop culture. Despite his
laid-back demeanor, Chris’s career as a freelancer is a
constant hustle, and he often juggles multiple projects to
make ends meet. His free-spirited nature and love for
storytelling make him a charismatic and engaging presence
in his social circle.

Behavioral Traits:

Creative and Imaginative: Chris’s creative side shines

through in his writing, where he blends imaginative
storytelling with insightful commentary. He has a talent for
finding unique angles on everyday topics.

Laid-Back Attitude: He approaches life with a relaxed

attitude, often going with the flow and taking things as they
come. This laid-back nature makes him easygoing but
sometimes results in a lack of urgency or organization.

Dreamer: Chris has a tendency to dream big and envision

grand plans, though he sometimes struggles with the
practicalities of turning his dreams into reality. His idealism
often contrasts with the more grounded aspects of his life.
Social and Engaging: He is known for his engaging
personality and ability to connect with others through his
writing and conversations. Chris enjoys being the center of
attention in social settings and is always ready with a good
story.

Struggles with Stability: As a freelancer, Chris faces the

challenges of inconsistent income and job security, which
can sometimes lead to stress and uncertainty about his
future.

Character Arc: Chris’s journey involves navigating the ups

and downs of freelancing while trying to balance his
creative ambitions with the need for financial stability. He
learns to manage his idealistic dreams with practical steps
and finds a way to turn his passion for writing into a more
sustainable and fulfilling career.

Max Thomson
Occupation: Freelance Pet Photographer and blogger
Personality: Quirky, enthusiastic, and sometimes
impractical with a passion for animals and online fame

Background: Max is a freelance pet photographer and social

media influencer who has turned his love for animals into a
career. He’s known for his quirky personality and
unconventional approach to both his work and life. Max’s
social media presence features a mix of adorable pet photos,
humorous videos, and an array of outlandish product
endorsements. Despite his enthusiasm and creative vision,
his career is far from stable, leading to financial difficulties
and his parents’ disapproval. Max is optimistic about his
future and firmly believes in the potential of his
unconventional career path, even when it seems impractical
to others.

Behavioral Traits:

Quirky and Enthusiastic: Max’s personality is characterized

by his offbeat sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for
his work with pets. He’s known for his eccentric photo
shoots and elaborate social media stunts.

Impractical at Times: While Max’s creativity shines

through in his work, his practical skills can be lacking. His
attempts at pet photography and social media campaigns
sometimes result in comical failures or unexpected
challenges.

Optimistic Dreamer: Max maintains an optimistic outlook

on his career, even when faced with financial instability and
his parents’ disapproval. He’s convinced that his
unconventional path will lead to success, despite frequent
setbacks.

Financial Struggles: His freelance career in pet

photography and social media is financially unstable, leading
to ongoing financial stress and pressure from his parents to
find a more secure job.

Supportive and Friendly: Despite his career challenges,

Max is supportive of his friends and maintains a positive
attitude. He often acts as the cheerleader of the group,
offering encouragement and inventive solutions to their
problems.

Character Arc: Max’s journey involves reconciling his

dreams of a glamorous social media career with the harsh
realities of financial instability. He learns to balance his
creative passions with practical considerations and begins to
explore new ways to make his career more sustainable, all
while maintaining his unique, optimistic outlook on life.
Kyle Harrison
Age: 27

Occupation: Stand-Up Comedian

Personality: Witty, sarcastic, and unapologetically blunt

with a tough exterior and hidden vulnerability

Background: Kyle is a stand-up comedian who performs at

open mics and small gigs around town. Known for his sharp
wit and sarcastic humor, he is popular with audiences but
struggles with financial instability. Kyle dreams of making
it big in comedy, but his career is often marked by
inconsistent gigs and financial uncertainty.

Behavioral Traits:

Witty and Sarcastic: Kyle’s humor is his main asset, and he

uses it to deflect from his personal struggles. His sarcasm
and quick wit make him the life of the party and help him
handle tough situations with a laugh.

Blunt and Direct: He’s known for his straightforwardness,

which can sometimes come off as harsh. Kyle doesn’t
sugarcoat his opinions or feelings, leading to both humorous
and uncomfortable moments.
Financially Struggling: Kyle’s career as a comedian is
unstable, and he often struggles with financial instability.
His gigs are hit-or-miss, which adds to his stress.

Hidden Vulnerability: Beneath his tough and sarcastic

exterior, Kyle has insecurities about his future and his
ability to succeed in comedy, which he rarely reveals to
others.

Dreams of Stardom: Kyle is passionate about comedy and

dreams of achieving fame and success. He dedicates his free
time to writing new material, attending comedy workshops,
and performing as often as possible.

Character Arc: Kyle’s journey involves navigating the

challenges of a career in comedy while managing his
financial difficulties and personal insecurities. He learns to
balance his tough exterior with moments of vulnerability
and finds ways to confront his fears about his future while
still pursuing his dream.

Luke Harrinton