While doing a bunch of research on character creation and development, I stumbled onto this fairly extensive character questionare that answers quite a few questions that I've simply forgotten about. I feel as I'm filling these out for my characters, that I'm breathing actual life into my characters, and I'm excited to see where the stories that these characters will tell take me.
Story Role
- Character label: (protagonist, antagonist, love interest, supporting character, etc.)
- Story role description: (protagonist’s best friend, love interest’s boss, etc.)
- Relationship with other characters in the story:
Physical Description
- Hair color:
- Hairstyle:
- Eye color:
- Height:
- Body type: (Athletic, husky, slender, etc.)
- Skin color:
- Face shape:
- Dominant hand:
- Typical clothing and style:
- Accessories: (glasses, jewelry, piercings, etc.)
- Tattoos, scars, and other distinguishing markings:
- Posture and gait: (confident, slouched, stiff, etc.)
- Signature gesture or expression:
- Actor look-alike or image reference:
- Physical changes over the course of the story:
Demographics
- Full name:
- Nickname(s):
- Age:
- Birthday:
- Pronouns:
- Sexual orientation:
- Race and ethnicity:
- Nationality:
- Languages this character speaks:
- Occupation:
- Income level:
- Health status:
- Relationship status:
- Family members
- Name:
- Age:
- Relationship to character:
- Role in family:
- Where this character lives (city/country):
- Where this character lives (type of home):
- Who this character lives with:
- How this character gets around (mode of transportation):
- Closest friends:
- Enemies or rivals:
- Pets:
- Allergies:
Personality
- Introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between?:
- Dialogue style and speaking patterns:
- Voice type: (raspy, smooth, nasal, etc.)
- Catchphrases or common sayings:
- Laughter type:
- Life philosophy:
- Habits and mannerisms:
- Short-term goals:
- Long-term goals:
- Desires:
- What motivates this character:
- Emotional wounds:
- Biggest strengths:
- Biggest weaknesses:
- Fatal flaw(s):
- Biggest fears:
- Special skills and talents:
- What this character is really bad at:
- Internal conflicts:
- External conflicts:
- Political views:
- Typical role in a group setting: (leader, peace-maker, observer, etc.)
- Unique quirks:
- Favorite foods:
- Favorite music:
- Favorite color:
- Hobbies and favorite activities:
- Biggest dislikes:
- Pet peeves:
- Most prized possession:
- Sense of humor:
- Astrology sign:
- Myers-Briggs type:
- Enneagram type:
- Love language:
- What pisses this character off :
- How this character gets in their own way:
- What this character wants, but is afraid to ask for:
- What this character needs (might be different from what they want!):
- What makes this character feel safe:
- What makes this character feel vulnerable:
- How this character handles stress or conflict:
- How other people see this character:
- How this character seems themselves:
Background
- Hometown:
- Educational background:
- Religion, spirituality, or moral philosophy and how it was formed:
- Job history:
- Criminal history:
- What this character’s childhood was like :
- Who this character looked up to as a child:
- What this character is most proud of:
- What this character is most ashamed of:
- Favorite memories:
- Least favorite memories:
- Past relationships and romantic history:
- Cultural influences:
- Personal achievements:
- Secrets this character has:
