One of my biggest problems with writing was/is creating believable characters. I still suffer with it to this day, but something that has helped HEAPS is the following questionnaire.
If you want your characters to come across as believable, then you need to believe in them first. You need to know them as well as you know yourself. Answering these questions will help you in developing your characters personality. If you find yourself sitting there unable to answer the questions, try filling it out as yourself? Or ask a friend/family member to do it for you? If you’re too shy to ask, study real people, how they react in times of stress, or sadness. Watch how their faces change when they grow happy, or even aroused (if you can).
Basing your OC’s off real people can be dangerous, but it also makes it so much easier in understanding how to write characters.
Put yourself in your OC’s shoes, find out what what makes them tick. And I don’t just mean the basic, surface stuff anyone can know, I mean the deep stuff. Get down to the nitty gritty, even write up a back story for them. Know your OC, study your OC, love your OC. Your readers will love you for it.
Basic
1. What is your full birth name?
2. Any nicknames?
3. When were you born/how old are you?
4. If immortal or slow-ageing, what is your apparent age?
5. Where were you born?
6. Who were your parents?
7. Do you have any siblings?
8. Where do you live now?
9. Who do you live with?
10. Are you right or left-handed?
11. What words/phrases do you regularly use?
12. Name some habits or strange quirks you have?
Appearance
13. Height:
14. Weight:
15. Skin Tone:
16. Body Shape:
17. Hair:
18. Eyes:
19. Face Shape:
20. Everyday Dress Style:
21. Formal Dress Style:
22. Any Jewellery?
23. Any Scars?
24. Tattoos?
Growing Up
25. How would you describe your childhood in general?
26. What is your earliest memory?
27. How much schooling have you had?
28. Did you enjoy school?
29. Where did you learn most of your skills/abilities?
30. Any role models while growing up?
31. What did you want to be when you grew up?
32. What was your favourite thing to do?
33. Were you popular?
34. Who were your friends?
35. When and who was your first kiss?
Past Influences
36. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
37. Who has had the most influence on you?
38. What do you consider is your greatest achievement?
39. What is your greatest regret?
40. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
41. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
42. When was the time you were the most frightened?
43. The most embarrassing moment of your life so far?
44. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be and why?
45. What is your best memory?
46. What is your worst memory?
Beliefs and Opinions
47. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic?
48. What is your greatest fear?
49. What are your religious views?
50. Political views?
51. Views on Sex?
52. In your own opinion, what is the most evil thing someone could do?
53. Do you believe in Soul Mates/True love?
54. What do you base success on?
55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with yourself?
56. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with others?
57. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
58. Is there anything you would absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances?
59. Why would you refuse?
60. Who or what, if anything, would you die for?
61. What do you feel the most passionate about?
62. What one act are you most proud of?
63. What one act are you most ashamed of?
64. Are you a leader or follower?
Relationships
65. In general, how do you treat people you don’t know well?
66. How do you treat people you do know?
67. Who do you respect the most and why?
68. Who are your friends?
69. Who is your best friend?
70. Ever been in love?
71. Who do you consider family?
72. How close are you to your family?
73. Who do you turn to in desperate times and why?
74. Who do you trust to protect you and why?
75. Who do you despise the most and why?
76. Do you tend to argue or avoid conflict?
77. Do you care what others think of you?
Sex and Intimacy
78. Do you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, trans or something else?
79. Do you have a significant other?
80. Describe them:
81. What is the perfect romantic date?
82. Best sexual partner?
83. Worst sexual partner?
84. Worst thing you’ve done to someone you love?
Likes and Dislikes
85. What is/are your favourite hobbies/pastimes?
86. What is your most prized possession?
87. Favourite colour?
88. Favourite food?
89. Favourite movie?
90. Favourite TV show?
91. What, if anything, do you like to read?
92. What style of music do you like?
93. What is your idea of good entertainment?
94. Do you smoke?
95. Drink?
96. Drugs?
97. Typical Friday night?
98. What would be the perfect gift for you?
99. Rain or Sun and why?
100. Day or Night and why?
101. What makes you laugh?
102. What shocks/offends you?
103. How do you deal with stress?
104. Are you spontaneous, or do you feel you always need a plan?
105. Any pet peeves?
Occupation/Study
106. Do you have a job or are you studying?
107. If so, what is it/what course?
108. Do you like it?
109. If studying/not working, where does your money come from?
110. What is your boss/teacher(s)/agent/publisher ect like?
111. What are your co-workers/other students like?
112. Do you get along with them?
113. What is something you had to learn that you hated?
114. Do you tend to save or spend your money?
Misc.
115. Describe the routine of a normal day for you:
116. What is your greatest strength?
117. Greatest weakness?
118. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
119. Introvert or Extrovert?
120. Organised or messy?
121. Three things you’re good at:
122. Three things you’re bad at:
123. Do you like yourself?
124. What is your life goal?
125. Where do you see yourself in five years?
126. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
127. Three things you would do with 24 hours left to live?
128. What is one thing you’d like to be remembered for after your death?
129. Three words to describe your personality?
130. Three words others use to describe your personality?
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