Creating Characters

The first thing you have to do when writing the first draft of a novel is creating your characters. I put together this questionnaire that I do for all my main characters. Feel free to use it, edit it, whatever! It's a lot of work to do but pays off when you're writing. The characters drive the plot, or else you're in trouble. So, in light of the nanowrimo coundown, start hashing out those characters!

Characterisation Work-up

Full Name, nickname and preferred name
DOB/Age/sign
Sex/Gender/Sexuality
Temperament/ personality type
Strengths/Abilities/ skills
Negative Traits
Quirks/eccentricities
Insecurities/Fears
Upset/embarrassed/ irritated by
Opinionated about
Made happy by
Amused by
Fight style
What others think of them
Philosophy is...
Bedroom is...
Carries with them...
Theme
Challenges to face
Career/ dreams goals/desires
Motivations/values/ vows/promises
Ethnicity/Nationality
Current abode

Physicality
Height/Weight
Hair
Eyes
Distinguishing Ft.s
Clothing style/ make-up/ careful?/ cost/ fashionable/ comfort/ accessories
Movements/walk/ hands/greetings/ posture/nervous habit
Dis/Likes about appearance
Health
Smell/scent
Voice/pitch/pauses/ fav. words/ greetings/ grammar/accent

Habits and Behaviour
Daily/weekly routine
Bad habits
Eating habits
Exercise habits
Relational habits
Neuroses
Desired behaviour

Preferences and Favourites
Music
Movies/TV
Sports/games
Colours
Political groups
Religious groups
Holiday activities
Time of year/season/ weather -best &worst
Decor/environment
Animals
Books
Foods/drinks
Pet Peeves
Hobbies/interests/ obsessions
Keeps/throws away

Relationships
Closest friend/s
Closest family members
Lover/s
People they dislike
Friendships they'd like to invest in
Relationships they'd like to limit/end
Views of kids/marriage, etc.

History
Fondest memory
Family
Secrets
Relationships/sexual history
Socio-economic bg.
Education
Employment
Past abodes
Worst memory/ regrets
Greatest sin
Rebel against
Aspire to be like...
Major events in life