Get to Know Your Characters

 

By Kira Moore

 

Typical Questions about them:

 

1. Name:

2. Gender:

3. Race:

4. Height:

5. Weight

 

Their Life:

 

1. Birthplace:

2. Birthdate:

3. Education:

4. Work Experience:

5. Scars/Handicaps: (emotional, physical, mental...)

6. Home Life: (environment, feeling dwelling in home...)

7. Parents:

8. Siblings:

9. Other significant family:

10. Friends:

11. Enemies/Why:

12: Best Friend and/or lover:

 

The Character's Inside:

 

1. Present Problem:

2. How does it worsen?

3. Best Traits:

4. Worse Traits:

5. How does he/she see themselves?

6. How do others see them?

7. Basic Nature:

8. Type of Humor:

9. Ambitions:

10. Philosophy of Life:

11. Hobbies:

12. The most important thing about them: (something that is not a character trait)

13. A one sentence summary of this character:

14. Why are they worth writing about?

15. What is the difference between this character and your others?

16. What is your opinion of this character? Would they be your friend or enemy?

17. What will the readers think of them?

18. How will they be remembered in the story?

19. Wants most:

20. Fears most:

 

Miscellaneous questions:

 

1. What type of music do they most enjoy?

2. Do they play any instruments?

3. Are they into art?

4. What type of things do they read?

5. What is their favorite item of clothing?

6. What are their favorite colors?

7. What flavor ice cream would they like and why?

8. What annoying habits do they have?

9. What would they order at McDonalds?

10. What type of animal do they like best?

11. What type of animal drives them insane?

12. On that note, what else drives them insane?

13. What grade would they have in school?

14. What would they do if they were stuck on an island in the middle of the ocean?

15. What would they do if their house caught on fire?

16. How would they ride a horse? Are they smooth? Or would they flip out?

17. What is their response to a kick in the butt?

18. What is their response to someone crying?

19. What do they do when they get angry?

20. What is something funny they would say?

 

What they would write: (let them take over the keyboard at this point.

:p)

 

1. This is who I am...

2. If there is a perfect time and place, it would be...

3. My favorite games are...

4. My most treasured possessions are...

5. Favorite books are...

6. Some people I admire are...

7. If I had the time and money, I'd like to...

8. Ten years from now, I want to be...

9. If I could change one thing about myself that would make me a better friend, it would be...

10. The best gift to give someone would be...

11. If I could muster up the courage, I would...

12. If I could, I would save the day by...

13. I like to imagine myself as...

14. The biggest pitfall for me is...

15. The time I felt the best was...

16. If there's a group thing to do, I...

17. If someone has a problem, I...

18. If there's an argument, I...

19. When I have to make decisions, I...

20. If I could do one thing to change the world, I would...

 

Now yes, I realize that all that could have been answered in question/answer form. But don't you feel closer to your character so you can sympathize with them?

 

About the physical side: (describe everything about them)

 

1. Their hair is...

2. Their forehead is...

3. Their ears are...

4. Their eyebrows are...

5. Their eyes are...

6. Their nose is...

7. Their complexion is...

8. Their cheeks are...

9. Their mouth is...

10. Their smile is...

11. Their chin is...

12. Their height is...

13. Their arms are...

14. Their legs are...

15. Their shape is...

16. How do they feel about their looks?

17. What are three features they don't like?

18. What are three they do?
19. What do others like about their physical side?

20. What is your favorite part about them?