Get to know your characters better by answering the questions in this checklist!
If you are writing a novel, it is important to craft realistic and well-rounded characters. I have created a list of items that can help you start getting to know your characters!
This list is meant to be a fun way to understand your character better. I highly recommend not stopping here, though! Daydreaming of scenes and exploratory writing are other fun ways to get to know your MC!
About my character
Name:
Special meaning or origin of name:
Nickname:
Age and DOB:
Zodiac sign:
Pronouns:
Gender identity:
Sexual orientation:
Career/Hobbies:
Special powers or magic skills:
Daily routine prior to events of the story:
Physical Description
Hair color, type, and length:
Eye color:
Skin color:
Height:
Weight:
Facial hair:
Level of fitness:
Allergies:
Health concerns:
Disabilities:
Scars:
Tattoos:
Typical clothing:
Accessories:
Tone of voice:
Other traits worth mentioning:
Personal Life & Background:
Parents:
Siblings:
Children:
Other close relatives:
Pets:
Close friends:
Enemies:
Mentors:
Childhood life:
Description of home:
Romance:
Past heartbreaks:
Past tragedies:
Favorites/Preferences
Food:
Beverage:
Color:
Book or movie:
Subject in school:
Type of weather:
Music:
Place:
Most treasured possession:
Pastime:
Early bird or night owl:
Indoors or outdoors:
Personality
Introvert or extrovert:
Myers Briggs personality type:
Organized or messy:
Daredevil or cautious:
Confident or cowardly:
Optimist or pessimist:
Sunshine or grump:
Do they like to travel:
Religious beliefs:
Fears:
Superstitions:
What do they find humorous:
What is their level of education:
What would they find embarrassing:
Unique quirks:
Greatest weakness:
Greatest strength:
Romance
Love interest:
How they meet:
What your character is looking for in a partner:
Interest in marriage:
Interest in having children:
Emotional hurdles:
Ideal date night:
Story Arc
What the character wants:
What the character needs:
Goal in the story:
What motivates them:
Deepest secret:
Conflict in the way of their goal:
Stakes if they don't meet their goal:
What is missing in their life at the beginning of the story:
Positive, negative, or static arc:
In what ways will your character change during the story:
There you have it! You know your character so much better now.
Though this will not cover every single important trait, this list is to help you shape your character and keep them consistent during the writing process. It is just a great starting point while you begin the process of character development.
It is helpful to answer these questions for all of your characters and keep them in either a notebook or file to reference while you draft and revise your novel.
Happy writing, friends!