How to Create Characters from Thin Air (JuNoWriMo #3)

Characters are...well...essential to any story. Without the human factor there is no story so it's important to create unique but believable characters. Even if you don't quite have your plot figured out it's important to know your players.

So, your task for the next few days (the rest of the month really) is figure out who your main characters are going to be. They can change of course but have an outline ready.

Of course I'm not letting you go into this blind, what are you, crazy? I've provided a lot of questions that you should or could be answering about all of your main characters. You don't have to answer them all now (or ever) but the more you can answer the better you'll understand your character and the more you can play with them.

Ready?

1. Name (Full)
2. Who Named Them?
1. Why?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Do They Like It?
3. Nickname (what, why, who)
4. Age
5. Birth date
6. Hometown
7. Currently Location (how did they get there from 4.)
8. Living Space
9. Occupation
1. Finances
2. Health
3. Intelligence Level
4. Co-workers
5. Boss
6. Do they like their job?
7. What is their dream job?
10. Mode of Transportation
11. Education
12. Pets
13. Family
1. Mother
2. Mother's Occupation
3. Father
4. Father's Occupation
5. Sibling(s)
6. Birth Order
7. Close Relatives
8. Distant Relatives
14. Childhood
1. School (how were their grades)
2. Development
3. Family Finances
4. Social Skills
5. Best Friend
6. Enemies
7. Family Dynamic
8. Bedroom
9. Extra Curricular Activities
15. Any Trauma (physical or emotional)
1. Most Traumatic Event
2. How do they handle stress?
16. Worst Mistake They Ever Made
17. Past Relationships
1. Who
2. How Long
3. Who Ended It
4. How Did It End
5. How Do They Feel About It
6. Dream Date
7. What Is Their Idea Of Romance?
18. Past Careers
1. First Job
2. What Was Their Favourite Job
3. Random Skills Learned
4. List Other Jobs
19. Significant Other(s) or Love Interests
20. Best Friend
21. Enemies
22. Dominate Personality Traits
23. Weak Personality Traits
24. Introvert or Extrovert?
25. Optimist or Pessimist?
26. Emotional Responses
1. Angry
2. Happy
3. Sad
4. Frustrated
5. Scared
6. Tired
7. Silly
8. Confused
9. In Love
10. Hatred
11. Anticipation/Anxiousness
12. Grief
13. Embarrassment
14. Disgust
15. Pity
16. Excitement
27. Quirk(s)
1. Bad Habits
2. Good Habits
3. Pet Peeves
4. Day or Night Person?
28. Physical Traits
1. Nationality
2. Race
3. Hair Colour
4. Hair Length/Style
5. Do They Prefer Their Hair Up or Down?
6. Eye Colour
7. Glasses or Contacts?
8. Body Type
9. Height
10. Weight
11. Build
12. Speech Patterns
13. What does their voice sound like?
14. Physical Disabilities/Scars
15. Do They Bruise Easily?
29. Spiritual or Religious Beliefs
1. Why do they believe this?
2. Is it a family tradition?
3. Do they actively participate/practice?
30. Sexuality
1. Sexual Orientation
2. Turn Ons
3. Turn Offs
4. Views on Sex
5. Sex Life
6. Kinks (or lack of?)
7. First
8. Number
31. Guilty Pleasure
32. What relaxes them after a bad day?
33. Secret Passion
34. Clothing Style
35. Dream Vacation
36. Biggest Motivator (what drives them)
37. Biggest Fear
38. Most Prized Possession
39. 3 Favourite Things
40. 3 Least Favourite Things
41. Favourite Food
42. Favourite Drink
43. Favourite Music Style/Song
44. Favourite Movie/TV Show
45. Favourite Book/Story
46. Favourite Colour
47. What do they like about themselves?
48. What do they dislike about themselves?
49. How would they describe themselves
1. Their personality
2. Their looks
3. Their morals
4. Their success
5. Their vanity
6. In One Word
7. If they died tomorrow would they be happy with their life
50. Favourite Childhood Memory?
51. Biggest Accomplishment
52. Most Embarrassing Moment
53. Who means the most to them?
54. What would they do if that person died?
1. What if they were killed?
2. If they could bring anyone back from the dead for one day who would it be?
55. What Social/Political/Environmental Issues are they passionate about?
56. Short Term Goals/Dreams
57. Long Term Goals/Dreams
58. If they were at the beach and saw someone struggling in the water, what would they do?  
59. If someone who had been dating them for one month said "I love you!" how would they react?  
60. If their prize possession was stolen, how would they feel?
61. What would they do if they won three million dollars?
62. How do they feel in crowds of unfamiliar people?

Whew, that's a lot to go through and answer. That's why these questions are just for your main characters. Choose a few characters (or create some) and fill out as much as you can.

Right now I can't even do this for any of my characters so I'm doing this with you guys. It's definitely a challenge but imagine who well you'll know this character after filling this out.

When you have filled it out, print it off and keep it where you'll be writing so you always have it on hand. And remember that you don't necessarily have to share any of these details in the story, but it's important for you to know the type of person you're dealing with.

Share any other character sheets or questions in the comments below.

AND don't forget to enter the giveaway for a homemade care package from me! (Details here)

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