NAME: ________________________
Well-developed characters do more to drive a story than any other aspect
of the writing, but many writers find that giving their characters depth is
one of their biggest challenges. This worksheet should help you think more
thoroughly about your characters, from what they look like to their
background to what motivates them. Some prompts may be more important
to your particular character than others, so of course you should spend
more time on those, but try to respond to as many prompts as fully as
possible.
ID
Full name:
Who named character?
Named after
person/place/thing? Loves or
hates name?
Nickname(s):
How acquired:
Alias(es) and/or former name(s):
When/in what circumstances does/did character use?
Identifying number(s):
Given by whom/what organization?
Significance?
2
Physical Characteristics
Species: Sex/Gender identity: Race/Ethnicity:
Age: Height: Weight: Build:
color: size:
Skin textur Nose shap
e: e:
type:
Hair/ color: size:
Feather textur Mouth shap
s/ e: e:
Scales style:
color:
shap Dentitio
Eyes e: n
(teeth,
size: tusks,
grinding
type: plates...)
Hands, fingers, nails: Feet, toes, nails, arches, heels:
Voice:
Senses—strong/weak sense of
Smell: Sight
Touch: :
Hearin Taste
g: :
(Sixth sense):
Illnesses: Physical limitations: Allergies:
Scars/Injuries: Tattoos/Piercings: Stance/Gait:
Mannerisms:
Physical/Mental augmentations (admantium skeleton? calculator-like brain?):
Normal dress: Formal dress:
When does character wear it?
Does character like or not like dressing up?
3
Favorite footwear: Jewelry:
4
Personality & Preferences
Temperament: IQ/Intelligence level:
Failings/Weaknesses: Level of ambition:
Fears/Phobias:
Favorite color: Favorite food: Most hated food:
Alcohol/Drug use:
Favorite music: Most hated music:
Musical talents/skills:
Usual mode(s) of transportation:
Habitation: Bed: Bathroom:
Hobbies: Toys: Entertainment:
5
Background
Birth date: Zodiac sign:
Prophesies about/Portents at birth:
Place of birth: Grew up: Lives now:
Religious: Ethical: Political:
Beliefs
Talents: Skills: Education/ Occupation:
Training:
When? Rank: Specialization: Saw combat?
Militar
y
Servic
e
6
Others in Character’s Life
Family
Parents/Guardians Siblings
Mom (name, age, Number:
etc): Dad: Gender(s)
Other(s): : Age(s):
Relationship between/amongst Birth
order:
parents? Relationship with
Relationship with character:
character?
Single/Married/ In relationship:
Define
relationship:
If married How did they
or in
relationsh
ip meet? How long
together?
Is the relationship
good/stable? Biggest issues
between them?
Worst enemy: Best friend:
How did
relationship
come to pass?
7
How do
they relate
when
together?
Number: Type: How acquired: Relationship:
Pet(s)
8
Tell Us a Story
What does character hate about self?
What is character proud of?
What does character desire more than anything else?
Why?
What is standing in the way? (Another person, thing or him/herself?)
What is character’s stupid party trick?
Describe a formative/traumatic/significant childhood event:
How did it affect character?
How would a stranger perceive character?
How do friends perceive character?
How does family perceive character?
