A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore. |
FYI - I go ALL OUT when profiling/interviewing my characters. Here is the template I use. I know its pretty extensive. This would only be useful for those who really want to get to know their characters in-depth. CHARACTER INTERVIEW / PROFILE Name: Background Birthday: Place of birth: Parents: What was important to the people who raised him: Siblings: Economic/social status growing up: Ethnic background: Places lived: Current address and phone number: Education: Favorite subject in school: Special training: Jobs: Salary: Travel: Friends: How do people view this character: Lives with: Fights with: Spends time with: Wishes to spend time with: Who depends on him and why: What people does he most admire: Enemies: Dating, marriage: Children: Relationship with God: Overall outlook on life: Does this character like himself: What, if anything, would he like to change about his life: What personal demons haunt him: Is he lying to himself about something: Optimistic/pessimistic: Real/feigned: Morality level: Confidence level: Typical day: Physical appearance Body type: Posture: Head shape: Eyes: Nose: Mouth: Hair: Skin: Tattoos/piercings/scars: Voice: What people notice first: Clothing: How would he describe himself: Health/disabilities/handicaps: Characteristics Personality type (choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholy): Strongest/weakest character traits: How can the flip side of his strong point be a weakness: How much self-control and self-discipline does he have: What makes him irrationally angry: What makes him cry: Fears: Talents: What people like best about him: Interests and favorites Political leaning: Collections: Food, drink: Music: Books: Movies: Sports, recreation: Did he play in school: Color: Best way to spend a weekend: A great gift for this person: Pets: Vehicles: What large possessions does he own (car, home, furnishings, boat, etc.) and which does he like best: Typical expressions When happy: When angry: When frustrated: When sad: Idiosyncrasies: Laughs or jeers at: Ways to cheer up this person: Ways to annoy this person: Hopes and dreams: How does he see himself accomplishing these dreams: Whatās the worst thing heās ever done to someone and why: Greatest success: Biggest trauma: Most embarrassing thing that ever happened to him: What does he care about most in the world: Does he have a secret: If he could do one thing and succeed at it, what would it be: He is the kind of person who: What do you love most about this character: Why will the reader sympathize with this person right away: How is the character ordinary or extraordinary: How is his situation ordinary or extraordinary: Core Need: Corresponding psychological maneuver (delusions, obsessions, compulsions, addictions, denials, hysterical ailments, hypochondria, illnesses, behaviors harming the self, behavior harming others, manias, and phobias): Anecdote (defining moment): History: |