Character Development Checklist 2.0
Several months ago I posted the original Character Development Checklist, because why wouldn’t you need dozens of random questions about your character?
In my humble opinion, there’s no such thing as too many questions. How can we ever know too much about our characters? The reader might not see it, but everything the author knows will mold the characters and the story. How can that be a bad thing?
Which is exactly why I added dozens of questions to the original character sheet. Check out a link to the first one above, and scroll below for an updated version
Basics:
- Character’s Name (first, middle, last)
- Character’s Nickname(s)
- Name pronunciation
- Origin of name
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Sex/Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Hair color
- Eye color
- Height
- Weight
- Scars
- Tattoos
- Birthmarks
- Piercings
- Right/left handed/ambidextrous
- Glasses/contacts
Apparel:
- Clothing preferences
- Accessories
- Style
- Trinkets
- Favorite possession
- Equipment
- Grooming habits
Family and Relationships:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Marital Status
- Significant Other
- Children
- Pets
- Friends
- Enemies
- Close relatives
- Non-close relatives
- Ancestors
Religion:
- The religion they follow (if any)
- Beliefs
- Superstitions
- Virtues
Location:
- Country of Birth
- Place of Birth (State, city, etc)
- First Language
- Cultures
- Traditions
Schooling:
- Highest Education
- Degrees
- Home-schooled/public school/private school
- Favorite subject
- Favorite teacher
- Least favorite subject
- Least favorite teacher
- Average grade
- Study habits
- Special education
- Graduating year
Work:
- Occupation
- Salary
- Employment history
- Work space
- Mode of Transportation
- Total income
- Boss
- Hours
- Experience
- Co-worker relationships
- Rank
- Work ethic
Home:
- Rent or Own
- House, apartment, etc
- Mode of transportation
- Living space
- Address
- Hometown
Inner Workings Of Your Character:
- Secrets
- Fears
- Worries
- Eating Habits
- Food preferences
- Sleep preferences
- Work preferences
- Book preferences
- Music preferences
- Introverted/extroverted
- Optimist/pessimist
- Hobbies
- Pet peeves
- Prejudices
- Proud of
- Biggest vulnerability
- Embarrassed by
- Worst memory
- Best memory
- Earliest memory
- Fondest memory
- Skilled at
- Unskilled at
- Attitude
- Obsessions
- Stresses
- Addictions
- Handicaps (physical)
- Handicaps (emotional/psychological)
- Allergies
- Medical history
- IQ
- Temperament
- Attitude
- Perception and outlook on life
- Desires
- Regrets
- Soft spots
Habits:
- Verbal quirks
- Physical quirks
- Gestures
- Work habits
- Sleeping habits
- Annoying habits
- Irrational habits
- Eating habits
- Healthy habits
- Unhealthy habits
- Mannerisms
- Drinking habits
- Vices
Objects Kept In - And Why:
- Their closet
- Their bedroom
- Their purse/bag
- Their fridge
- Their car
- Their desk
- Their pockets
- Their junk drawer
- Their glove compartment
- Their backpack
- Their locker
- Their car trunk
- Their wallet
- Their suitcase
Favorites:
- Favorite book
- Favorite movie
- Favorite hobby
- Favorite animal
- Favorite color
- Favorite season
- Favorite food
- Favorite drink
- Favorite time of day
- Favorite song
- Favorite music genre
- Favorite memory
- Favorite band
- Favorite words
- Favorite subject
- Favorite number
- Favorite TV-show
- Favorite place
Least Favorite:
- Least favorite book
- Least favorite movie
- Least favorite hobby
- Least favorite animal
- Least favorite color
- Least favorite season
- Least favorite food
- Least favorite drink
- Least favorite time of day
- Least favorite song
- Least favorite music genre
- Least favorite memory
- Least favorite band
- Least favorite words
- Least favorite subject
- Least favorite number
- Least favorite TV-show
- Least favorite place
Other:
- Talents
- Political preference
- Strengths
- Flaws
- Prized possessions
- Special/favorite memories
- Time and date of birth
- What they love
- What they hate
- Social class
- Sports/clubs
- Blood type
- Posture
- Speech impediments
- Spending habits
