Tips for Aspiring Writers

Character Profile

Name: ________________________________
Height: _______
Age in story: _________
Birthplace: ____________________
Hair color, length, style: ________________________________
Race/nationality: _______________________________________
Regional influences: _____________________________________
Accent: (include voice, style of speech, slang, signature phrases or words) __________________
Religion: __________________________________________________
Marital status: _____________________________________
Scars or other notable physical attributes: _________________________________________________
Handicaps: (emotional, physical, mental) ____________________________________________________________
Athletic? Inactive? Overall health? ___________________________________
Style of dress: _____________________________________________________________
Favorite colors: _____________________________________________
How does the character feel about his/her appearance? ____________________________________________________________
Brothers/sisters: _____________________________________________________________
Relationship with parents: _____________________________________________________________
Memories about childhood: ____________________________________________________________
Educational background: (street smart? Formal? Does he/she read?) _______________________________________________________________________
Work experience: _____________________________________________________________________
Occupation: _________________________________________________
Where does the character live now? Describe home (emotional atmosphere as well as physical) ________________________________________________________________________
Neat or messy? _____________________________________
Women friends/men friends: ______________________________________________________________
Pets? _______________________________________________________
Enemies? Why? _____________________________________________________________________
Basic nature: ________________________________________________________
Personality traits (shy, outgoing, domineering, doormat, honest, kind, sense of humor): ______________________________________________________________________
Strongest trait: _____________________________________________
Weakest trait: _____________________________________________
What does the character fear? __________________________________________________________
What is the character proud of? _________________________________________________________
What is the character ashamed of? ______________________________________________________
Outlook on life (optimistic, pessimistic, cynic, idealist) _____________________________________________________________
Ambitions: __________________________________________________
Politics: _____________________________________________________
How does the character see himself/herself? ____________________________________________________________
How is the character seen by others? _______________________________________________________
Do you like this person? Why or why not? ___________________________________________________
Will readers like or dislike? __________________________________
Most important thing to know about this character: _____________________________________________________________
Present problem: ___________________________________________
How it will get worse: _____________________________________________________________
What is the character’s goal in the story? ___________________________________________________
What traits will help/hurt the character in achieving this goal? _____________________________________________________________
What makes the character different from similar characters? _____________________________________________________________
Why will readers remember this character vividly? _____________________________________________________________