I got this from a Creative Writing class I am taking at the college I work at, and figured I'd pass it along here as well. It's got interesting ways to help develop characters, and I like it.
Developing Your Character
1. Write ten 'factual' statements (short hand) about your character, then ten lies:
2. Back-Story - very important
Your character should have a back-story, because this can help you decide how s/he might behave in present situations. Here are some questions to answer about your character:
Background: Present circumstances:
Gender Age
Race Marital status
Social class How many (if any) children
How many siblings Sexuality
Parents' relationship Political views
Neighborhood Appearance
Health/disability Habits
Religion Fears/ phobias
Level of education What s/he gets upset about/dislikes in people
IQ
Special abilities What s/he gets excited about/admires in people
3. Give your character a few contradictory traits by creating a line of dialogue for each “Oneâ€
The Benevolent One - here, have this. I don't normally give so you know it means a lot.
The Thoughtful One - see, I remembered you said you liked this.
The Attentive One - I want to spend quality time with you - see how I notice your presence/want to be close.
The Humble One - I hear your criticism and I will take it on board.
The Boastful One - look at me, I've achieved something, I want praise.
The Bad-Tempered One - I haven't eaten / haven't got any money / haven't had sex.
The Self-Pitying One - I wish I knew where I went wrong. Why doesn't anyone love me?
4. How would your character behave when interacting with:
Mother-
Boss-
Friend-
Neighbor-
Lover-
I will be providing a link here as well for this in word document form, since I don't think it will copy/paste well.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8corh71vsa3gd8....docx?dl=0
Developing Your Character
1. Write ten 'factual' statements (short hand) about your character, then ten lies:
2. Back-Story - very important
Your character should have a back-story, because this can help you decide how s/he might behave in present situations. Here are some questions to answer about your character:
Background: Present circumstances:
Gender Age
Race Marital status
Social class How many (if any) children
How many siblings Sexuality
Parents' relationship Political views
Neighborhood Appearance
Health/disability Habits
Religion Fears/ phobias
Level of education What s/he gets upset about/dislikes in people
IQ
Special abilities What s/he gets excited about/admires in people
3. Give your character a few contradictory traits by creating a line of dialogue for each “Oneâ€
The Benevolent One - here, have this. I don't normally give so you know it means a lot.
The Thoughtful One - see, I remembered you said you liked this.
The Attentive One - I want to spend quality time with you - see how I notice your presence/want to be close.
The Humble One - I hear your criticism and I will take it on board.
The Boastful One - look at me, I've achieved something, I want praise.
The Bad-Tempered One - I haven't eaten / haven't got any money / haven't had sex.
The Self-Pitying One - I wish I knew where I went wrong. Why doesn't anyone love me?
4. How would your character behave when interacting with:
Mother-
Boss-
Friend-
Neighbor-
Lover-
I will be providing a link here as well for this in word document form, since I don't think it will copy/paste well.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8corh71vsa3gd8....docx?dl=0
