I use this collection of templates and questions about characters to give my characters depth. I based these questions and templates off books I've read.
Who is the protagonist?
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Who is the antagonist?
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-------- Character Template #1
General appearance:
Describe the character's age, dress, eyes, hair, height, etc.
Engage the senses:
Revisit the character's descriptions finding ways to engage your readers' senses of smell, sound, taste, touch, and even intuition/foreboding.
Most endearing trait:
Describe a trait readers will love this character for.
Least desirable trait:
Describe a trait readers will hate this character for.
Unusual tale:
Briefly describe a funny, sad, or other interesting event in this character's life.
Notes:
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-------- Character Template #2
Game show host style description:
Give superficial description about character including appearance, hobbies, occupation, goals, background, inner and external conflicts. Make it short enough a game show host could use it as a description.
Fill in the details:
Fill in details about each item in the brief description. Give a paragraph to each.
Have a conversation about each of the above paragraphs, and see where it leads:
This should lead learning inner values. Find out what matters to the character.
List out inner values:
The fundamental principles that motivate all actions by the character.
Traits:
What does or has the character done because of these values? Explore conversation style.
Mannerisms:
How do these traits and values display themselves in behaviors. When they conflict, which ones win?
Notes:
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-------- Character Template #3
Display facets of the passion:
Define external conflicts that place the character’s traits and values at odds with each other or the external conflict. Have the character’s values or traits displayed through their reactions. (i.e. Love displayed by anger at betrayal.)
Display the passion’s opposite:
Accent the passion by displaying the character’s opposite passion, too. Trace that opposite passion back to an inner value. Another character as a foil, might also be used to put passion in greater contrast.
Plan passion’s evolution:
For a passion to evolve, it must move through logical phases, not all at once, or always in the same direction. Passion can evolve to a stronger form, or be replaced by another passion over course of events.
Notes:
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Note: I am archiving this post from an old blog that will disappear forever this year.
