TECH: A Worksheet for "developing" a character

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Fri, 25 Mar 1994 18:35:01 JST

A Worksheet for "developing" a character

[NOTE: these are points which some writers feel are interesting/useful to lay out before writing. You don't have to fill in everything, but you might find it interesting to consider some of these points. Feel free to add, subtract, or ignore - after all, it is your character.

Personal tip: Stick to the parts that are likely to influence the plotline... ELABORATE THOSE IN DETAIL!]

Personal (Physical)

Name:
Age:
Birthdate:
Birthplace:
Height:
Weight:
Measurements: (or body type - skinny, etc):
Hair:
Eyes:
Eyebrows:
Scars:
Carriage:
Voice Quality, speed, sound:
Nose:
Mouth:
Proportions:
Face:
Body:
Marital Status:
Educational Background:
Occupation:
Food Preferences:
Drink Preferences:
Alcoholic Drinks:
Breakfast:
Car:
Pets:
Eccentricities:

Personality Profile

strong/weak characteristics:
sees self as:
seen by others as:
basic nature:
ambition:
philosophy:
beliefs:
hobbies:
kinds of reading material, art, music:
favorite color:
description of current home life:
clothes (type/style, fit, condition, colors):
shape/condition of hands and nails:
moral values/sexual beliefs and practices:
how does s/he handle problems?
Present Problem:
How does this problem get worse?
How does this problem get resolved?
Most important thing to know about person?
Most important trait to know about person, and why?
Does character have a secret? What?
Previous relationships and effect on present:
Synopsis about childhood:

Family History

Spouse:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Best Friend:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Mother:
Physical Status:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Father:
Physical Status:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Name of Maternal Grandparents:
Physical Status:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Name of Paternal Grandparents:
Physical Status:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Location:
Type of Relationship:
Effect on Plotline:

Children (repeat as needed)

Name:
Age:
Type of Relationship:
Location:
Occupation:
Spouse:
Grandchildren:
Effect on Plotline:

Brothers/Sisters (repeat as needed)

Name:
Age:
Type of Relationship:
Location:
Occupation:
Spouse:
Children:
Effect on Plotline:

Outside Effects

External affairs, events, etc. with relationship to character: