Does your character have any pets?
Category: CHARACTER CREATION
The best characters out there are ones that feel like real people. Little details make a huge difference in creating a well rounded, realist character. Sometimes, though, we have trouble thinking of unique traits outside of the same old basics! Use these prompts and questions as a tool to develop the style, personality, and lives of your cast.
-
Character Development – What is their most painful memory?
What is you character’s most painful memory?
-
Character Development – How do they handle a stranger approaching them at a bar?
How does your character handle being approached by a stranger at a bar?
-
Character Development – What are five songs that would be on their playlist?
What are five songs that would be on your character’s music playlist?
-
Character Development – Whose number is at the top of their emergency contact list?
If your character was taken to the hospital, whose number would be at the top of their emergency contact list?
You never know when you might have an accident – and that is no different for our characters. Who would be the top of the list for your character? Would it be a parent? Their spouse? Children? Perhaps it’s someone unexpected. They may not even have someone that can be contacted at all. Who they have on their list can give great insight to their relationships with the people in their lives. -
Character Development – Describe their eyes in detail.
Eyes – Everyone has them, describe them in detail for your character.
The eyes are the window to the soul. We hear this all the time. For this exercise, describe them in as much detail as possible. Here are some things to consider!The Shape
Almond, round, squinty, upturned, hooded, monolid, downturned, etc. Fonfabulous has a GREAT shape guide.The Spacing
Wide set, close set, deep set, tilted, parallel, and so on. They may be really close together, or far apart. Consider that everyone has a perfectly symmetrical face, perhaps this is a unique character trait.The Color
Blue, green, hazel, brown, gold with flecks, or even unrealistic shades. Playing with color and descriptive details is a fun way to add a little flair. Are their hazel orbs more green with a little ring of brown, or do they have ocean blue pools?The Mood
What sort of emotion would some see if they stared in to those eyes? With just the right words, you can convey all kinds of things. The sadness hidden beneath a sunny gaze, or the cold dead emotionless stare of a serial killer.The Makeup
There’s a whole world of possibilities here. Makeup is a wide and varied art form in many cultures. This Tumblr search can give you loads of inspiration.Other Details
Tattoos? Shape and thickness of the brows? Long lashes, normal, or heaven forbid – none at all! Maybe they are missing one or both. Perhaps they are made of glass. Laser beams could shoot out every time they take off their sunglasses.
For added fun you can see what shape might mean for personality with this cool link. Obsidian Bookshelf also has a really great guide for describing them in your writing. Now Novel contains excellent advice on the subject, while Words to Use provides you with a big list of descriptive words! -
Character Development – What is their current job?
Employment is an important part of a person’s life. What is this character’s current job?
People spend the vast majority of their life working. At least most people do! This has been true since the dawn of time where the primary jobs were hunting and gathering. The jobs has a person has done gives them experience and encounters – this adds up over a lifetime. Even if your character is just a teenager, maybe they are after their first job or just starting one. Adult characters can be struggling to find new employment, loving or hating their current job. Maybe they are out seeking inspiration for a new career! Need a little help in thinking of a good job history? This List of Careers is a great resource. -
Character Development – Have they ever been to jail?
Has this character ever been to jail before? Write about that experience!
