Character Study for fiction writers

Here is a comprehensive chart to use when creating a character's profile.

CHARACTER CHART: based on Colleen Reece, Writer’s Digest 11/81

Followed by a list by Randy Ingermanson

1. Name –

2. Age and time period –

3. Birthdate, birthplace –

4. Height and build –

5. Color of hair–

6. Of eyes

7. Places lived and reasons –

8. Scars or handicaps (physical, mental, emotional)

9. Educational background

10. Work experience

11. Basic nature, sense of humor –

12. Best friend –

13. Men/women friends

14. Enemies/antagonists and why –

15. Social class –

16. Parents –

17. Siblings –

18. Children –

19. Ambitions & goals –

20. Religious beliefs, philosophy of life, values

21. Attitude toward death –

22. Hobbies –

23. Music, art, reading preferred –

24. Dress, favorite colors –

25. Description of home (physical, emotional, atmosphere) –

26. What does she have in purse; what does he have in pocket or glove compartment

27. Present problem–

28. How will it get worse?

29. How will he/she change, learn, or grow?

30. Strongest character trait –

31. Weakest character trait –

32. Sees self as

33. What do they like/dislike about themselves?

34. As seen by others –

35. One-line characterization

36. Props

addendum from Randy Ingermanson’s snowflake fractal

For each major character, take an hour and write a one-page summary sheet:

a) name

b) 1-sentence summary of character’s storyline

c) character’s motivation (what does he/she want abstractly?)

d) character’s goal (what does he/she want concretely?)

e) character’s conflict (what prevents him/her from reaching the goal?)

f) character’s epiphany (what will he/she learn, how will he/she change?)

g) 1-paragraph summary of character’s story line