Any tools/worksheets/etc...?

[Puddle Jumper]

In a class I took in college we were given a sheet to help us develop our characters in which we had to answer a whole bunch of simple questions about them, likes, dislikes, personality questions, etc...

I was wondering if anyone has anything like this for developing characters or any other aspect of story writing, or if anyone knows any good resources for such things.

Thanks. :)

[GPatten]

If you ever find that info, I sure wish you would post it. I would like it. Characters can be quite confusing using only names, but you have to pick something of them to include the descriptive ID so your readers can identify each one of them.
I would say the color of their heir- eyes, (If they have a beard, or mustache) their height, weight, (Thin, stocky) age, and their likes and their dislikes. Also their personality, any qualities, peculiarities, traits you can mention in order to describe them as you progress along the way to set them apart from each other.

Such as one of my characters in one of my books in work:

Harvey Scofield was reading a guns and ammo magazine as one of the other detectives was reading over his shoulder.

Kiki overheard Harvey ask the other detective, “How do you make brass for an Ackley Improved action?”

Kiki stepped up to him, stretched her neck out towards him, and replied, “First ya have to capture a bunch of trumpet players, Harvey. Ya beat em up and steal their instruments. Then, ya start a very hot fire and melt down their brass trumpets. Now comes the tricky part - - making the molds. You know how to make a led mold for a bullet, don’t you?”

Though Kiki’s suggestion was meant to be funny, there was no reply, no snickers, nothing. Kiki could only see the whites of their wide eye’s and open mouths. That was not what they expected from a tiny young 26-year-old woman resembling a quiet, klutzy librarian.

I’m getting tired of describing big, long leg blond, drop dead gorgeous brunet. Give me that little plain Jane who is a lovable klutz and a hell of a hero.

I’d say make up your own list, give them some personality, and go for it.

[BlueTexas]

I made up my own...stuff like physical traits, but I list all their past jobs, siblings, parents, schools, what color clothes they wear most, and then events that happen in any life, like graduations, birthdays, weddings, funerals, etc.

Some of the genealogy sites have worksheets like that, for biographies and research. Can't recall exactly where just now, but try rootsweb.com.

[Inspired]

How about this one?

http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html

[NeuroFizz]

Hi, Guys

If you go to the Inspiration for Writers site, you will find a series of short lessons listed on the right side of the main page (Elements of Craft, Tips and Techniques):
http://tritt.wirefire.com/

A few down on the list is the "Character Trait Chart." It provides what you want, I think. There is good advice throughout this list.

Cheers, Rich

[cwfgal]

I have a page on my web site that deals with character development. It's based on a workshop I've presented a number of times (The ABCs of Character Development) and it works better and is a bit more dynamic when used in that setting, but I think the info may be helpful even if it's just read and used.

Here's the site: http://www.bethamos.com/abcs.htm

Beth

[Jamesaritchie]

Not me. One of the main reasons I hate outlining is because of the characters. I detest character charts with a passion usually reserved for such things TV commercials and dentist appointments.

I want characters who grow and develop within a story, not a story that's wrapped around a character I've alread burdened with a background, a list of habits, likes, dislikes, etc. Such characters almost always make me want to stop reading.

[NeuroFizz]

Not me. One of the main reasons I hate outlining is because of the characters. I detest character charts with a passion usually reserved for such things TV commercials and dentist appointments.

I want characters who grow and develop within a story, not a story that's wrapped around a character I've alread burdened with a background, a list of habits, likes, dislikes, etc. Such characters almost always make me want to stop reading.

Hi, James, and others

If used properly, character trait charts do not limit character development in any way you've suggested. They are useful for beginning writers in particular, so they can avoid inconsistencies in their characters' actions and words. In fact, the charts may be most useful when the writer wants their characters to do someting totally out of character, such as in stressful situations. Many writers can keep all of these things straight in their heads and hate the structure. Some writers need the structure. This is another of those "whatever works best for you" things.

If I may rephrase your comments, James, in a little more beginner-friendly way--character trait charts are useful for those who like the structure, but they should be approached with very general limits, with the allowance, even the expectation, that the characters will grow beyond what's listed as the story develops.

Whether one writes all this out on paper or not, a basic character framework is somewhere in the writers stored information (on computer, on the backs of envelopes, or just in his/her mind). One shouldn't be shamed away from the structure if that structure is useful. But again, it holds the danger of limiting the natural growth of the characters. Do what works.

[AdamH]

I'm working on a novel where I felt the need to write an outline for each of my characters just so I'd have all their likes/dislikes, what they're wearing, ect...all in one place so I wouldn't end up changing a character with green eyes and a chronic limp in his left leg into brown eyes and limpy right leg.

But at the same time, even though I keep these lists, I just sort of fill things in as I go when the character develops. I use it more as a tool for my memory instead of a guide to my character.

[Azure Skye]

I made my own. The Personal Profile as I like to call it consists mainly of birthdate, interests, physical characteristics, relatives and favorites. I haven't filled them out fully yet as my characters are growing, my writing is improving and the story is progressing. Once the first draft is done, shortly I hope, I'll go back and fill in some of the other stuff. To me, it's just a guideline that is not set in stone. I'll change it when it seems appropriate.

[tjwriter]

Two of my favorite places for character info are

Holly Lisle's site (http://www.hollylisle.com) - Here you can find some useful information in For Writers section or you can download a free book title Mugging the Muse. It has some of the same information as the articles, but overall is an interesting read.

An article by Crawford Killian (http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/#13) - It has some useful stuff for what he calls a character resume so that you can understand your characters better. I mixed and mingled this with some of own ideas and found it sort of helpful.

[NicoleJLeBoeuf]

Holly Lisle's site (http://www.hollylisle.com) - Here you can find some useful information in For Writers section or you can download a free book title Mugging the Muse. It has some of the same information as the articles, but overall is an interesting read.Thanks for the pointer! I love Holly's site, but hadn't found my way to the eBook. I've downloaded it now and am printing bits of it out!

[sunandshadow]

Champagne books recently held a free workshop on characterization (http://www.champagnebooks.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53), there are several interesting links in the thread. Of course I recommend the link to the article I wrote ;) but there's other good stuff too.

Personally I don't use character charts because I've spent years studying pesonality type theories: Keirsey, Dramatica's character system, Jungian archetypes, Vogler, a range of mental disorder types, child-mother attachment, the western zodiac, the Chinese zodiac, Japanese blood types, enneagrams, the 7 deadly sins, the 4 elements, the 4 humors, etc. I believe that none of these is a clear, complete range of human personality types, although the Keirsey aka Myers/Briggs comes closest, and the Dramatica one has some interesting concepts and helpful lists and reports.

[Puddle Jumper]

Thanks for all the info!

Not me. One of the main reasons I hate outlining is because of the characters. I detest character charts with a passion usually reserved for such things TV commercials and dentist appointments.

I want characters who grow and develop within a story, not a story that's wrapped around a character I've alread burdened with a background, a list of habits, likes, dislikes, etc. Such characters almost always make me want to stop reading.
Are you talking about putting all that information into a story? I don't use charts like that to then put all such information into the story. It helps me, the writer, to know everything about the character I'm writing about up to the point that I start the story. I know his or her background, likes and dislikes, and personality traits and characteristics. I don't think the readers need to know all that information, but I feel as the creator of the character that I do or else my character may end up being too flat and one dimensional.

[l.stormgaye]

"Write Your Novel in 30 Days" by Karen S. Wiesner?

I think it's a good book.

[azbikergirl]

I tend to resist using other people's character trait charts because so far I haven't seen one that truly helps me get to know my character. His place of birth, relationship with his parents, how many siblings -- that sort of thing doesn't tell me who he is, what he wants for this story, and those are the kinds of things I won't think of until I get to know him. The first questions I ask myself about my characters are:

Male or female?
What's the character's name?
What does he/she want?
What is the most significant event in his/her past that makes him/her want it? (i.e. why does he/she want it?)
Did he/she do anything to bring on that event?
Was another character involved in that event?
Does that character have a role in the attainment of the MC's goal?
What must the MC learn or do in order to attain his goal?
What is the largest thing standing in his way?
Then I start writing. I decide the rest of the details much later.

[victoriastrauss]

In a class I took in college we were given a sheet to help us develop our characters in which we had to answer a whole bunch of simple questions about them, likes, dislikes, personality questions, etc...I never use these kinds of charts or questionnaires. IMO, they produce a lot of irrelevant information that doesn't really add any depth to a character. What does it really tell you about a person that their favorite color is orange or the name of their childhood pet was Sparky? Do you know these things about your friends? (I don't, except as a fluke.) If not, does that mean you know them less well? (I don't think so.) A sense of character comes from things much deeper than these peripheral details. You need to know your characters from the inside, not the outside.

Most of this sort of info is stuff you can invent on the fly as you write. If you do want to use a chart or set of questions, I think azbikergirl's come closer to the kind of thing you really need to know.

- Victoria

[Jamesaritchie]

Thanks for all the info!


Are you talking about putting all that information into a story? I don't use charts like that to then put all such information into the story. It helps me, the writer, to know everything about the character I'm writing about up to the point that I start the story. I know his or her background, likes and dislikes, and personality traits and characteristics. I don't think the readers need to know all that information, but I feel as the creator of the character that I do or else my character may end up being too flat and one dimensional.

The question is, does it help the story? In my experience, it has the reverse effect. Flat, one dimensional character have zero to do with such charats and such information.

Are the people you meet in daily life flat and one dimensional because you don't know all these things about them? You learn them gradually, as you get to know the person, and as the information become relevant. I think the best character evolve just this way.

Let the story dictate a character's likes, dislikes, and personality traits. When the writer does it, it may help him, but it's unlikely to help the story.

[scribbler1382]

What James and Victoria said. Anytime I've sat down and laboriously sketched out characters and what music they like, why their dog is named Arsenio or how they got that birthmark in the shape of Pauly Shore, the story has never left the gate.

Now, I think of characters (not counting my main protag/antag) as that character-shaped thing that popped out of the pod on the pool table in Invasion of the Body Snatchers....so much potential, but no destiny quite yet.

[GPatten]

I don’t know if I develop my characters, if that is what it is called. If I have a need for a new character, I pretty well know what he, or she is going to look and act like. I may try to add something of interest that they may do, such as a nervous cough, touching their hair, or something that is different than the others.

If it is one of my main characters, I write up a good one below where I have written so far and let it wait there until I arrive at the point of using it. I also collect descriptions of my characters and the last of my MS word document. I will always try to include something about them, some quirky thing they do throughout my ms as I bring them out to play.

If I may include this on my post, here is one of my favorite characters descriptions I have used when I first brought him into play. I start out playing him along for a few paragraphs (Unnamed] and then introduce him as soon as I can.

The detective’s name was Commander Louis Sanchez, assigned to the Orlando Florida Police Departments Investigative Division. Louis Sanchez was responsible for the Investigative Division. He was Cuban, in his late 50s, and was once originally from the Havana Cuba Police Department and had worked there as a detective. He had fled to Miami in the 60s when Castro took over control of Cuba and soon after that, he came to work for the Orlando Florida Police Departments Investigative Division. He was almost as proficient in English as he was with the Cuban Spanish language, though he would sometimes laps into mumbling Cuban when he was frustrated, or angered.

Black hair, brown eyes, Louie had that Cuban tanned complexion. He was a short and an overweight man with an elongated pudgy face; his chin stuck out further than his nose and he wore a mustache, always combed...always clean.

Suspenders, white shirt, with a black bowtie, a dark suit, with spit shined black shoes, and wearing a black felt hat was the dress code Louie always followed. Using his two forefingers and a thumb from both hands, the hat always went on last. He generally discarded the hat and jacket while inside, baring his red suspenders stretched over his white shirt and black tie. He never loosened that black tie. Louie never expected the men working under him to dress the same as he did though.

Louie had a rough and commanding look about him with nary a smile, but Louie was usually as gentile as a kitten to those that were honest and decent. Once one of his neighbors, a lady in her 60s had said, “What more could one ask in a man, but to be gentle, kind, and jolly? That’s my Louie.”

Louie was not always gentle when it came to politics though. Louie had came from Cuba with Guillermo Sanchez who was a skinny and tiny mouse of a man. They would sometimes laps into mumbling Cuban when they were fighting the Cuban politics; with their fist flying, they would have to be pulled off from each other. Bloody noses and black eyes were the norm with them. They had to be separated at opposite ends of the building. We would often find one, or the other outside the others office door singing the opposing political song to entice each other. They were not related to each other. Earlier, Guillermo Sanchez developed a heart problem and had too move back to Miami and retire.

Louies neighbor lady added, “Louie’s living with that young Kim girl, she’s probably into kickboxing and mistreats him. I told him to never ever get mixed up with a woman who is into kickboxing. All the young ones are that way now days.”

Of course this was not the way it was for Louie at all, Kim was also as gentle as Louie was. She was kind and she was not into kickboxing.

I hope this helps someone, but don’t take me for someone who would know. I still know so little of writing. So much to learn.