So I'm studying to get my bachelor's in Creative Writing, and with the class I'm in now we recently had to do this assignment where we filled out an incredibly comprehensive and detailed character planning sheet. Things you never thought to ask yourself about your character before, in some of these categories. So if you're developing your character for RP, this might help.
Bear in mind that if there are things that don't apply to your character, you can cross them out or leave them blank.
INCREDIBLY COMPLETE CHARACTER PLANNING SHEET
THE BASICS:
Character name:
Nickname:
Origin of Nickname:
Birthdate:
Place of Birth:
Ethnicity:
Religion:
Height:
Weight:
Body type:
Eye color:
Glasses or Vision Enhancements:
Skin tone (pale, tan, olive, brown, etc):
Face shape: (round, square, oval, chubby, heart-shaped):
Prominent features:
Tattoos or distinguishing marks:
Casting choice (what actor do they resemble?):
General health:
Disabilities, illnesses, or weaknesses:
Fashion and style (what do they wear, how do they wear it?):
Special jewelry:
Hair color:
Hairstyle:
Grooming:
Additional information:
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Languages spoken:
Accent or dialect:
Vocabulary/reading level:
Voice tone:
Favorite phrases:
Do they curse:
Demeanor:
Mannerisms:
Gestures:
Habitual behaviors (nail-biting, drumming fingers, hair fixing, etc.):
Posture:
PROFESSIONAL INFO:
Current occupation:
Level of job satisfaction:
Years at current occupation:
Income:
Professional skills:
Combat skills:
Additional information:
LIVING CONDITIONS:
Place of residence:
Type of residence:
Surrounding area (city, rural, etc):
Describe residence:
Who do they live with:
Pets:
Overall quality of living conditions:
Home décor:
Important features of home:
Type of vehicle:
Age of vehicle:
Defining characteristics of vehicle:
Quality of vehicle:
Describe vehicle:
Additional information:
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Marital status:
Significant partner(s):
How did they meet partner:
Nickname for partner:
Previous romantic partners:
Children:
Relationship with children:
Step-children:
Important family:
Mother:
Age:
Living or deceased:
Mother’s occupation:
Father:
Age:
Living or deceased:
Father’s occupation:
Siblings:
Describe the quality of relationship with any significant family members:
Extended family:
Friends:
Best Friend:
Describe relationship with friend(s):
Additional information:
How does the character relate to:
Spouse:
Lover:
Past lovers/spouses:
Children:
Friends:
Employer:
Underlings:
Minions:
Pets:
Strangers:
Opposite sex:
Same sex:
Family members:
Competitors:
Authority:
Enemies:
Additional information:
CHARACTER PERSONALITY AND PSYCHOLOGY:
Any psychological issues or illnesses:
Meyers Briggs Personality Type:
What do they love:
What is their passion:
What do they hate:
What would they die for:
What do they value:
Secret loves:
Sexual behavior:
Personal philosophies:
Politics:
Spirituality:
Prejudices:
Greatest strength:
Greatest weakness or flaw:
Their favorite attribute:
Least favorite attribute:
Biggest secret:
Biggest fear:
Most likeable trait:
Least likeable trait:
How are they perceived by others:
Proudest accomplishment:
Other accomplishments:
Biggest regret:
Most embarrassing moment:
Personality quirks:
Would they like to change anything about themselves:
Short term or long term goals:
Obstacles:
Heroes or role models:
Negative role models:
Biggest life influence:
Likes or dislikes:
Favorite book, movie, music, etc:
Additional information:
PAST HISTORY:
Hometown:
Past relationships:
First love:
First sexual experience:
Major childhood events:
Best memory:
Worst memory:
Saddest memory:
Quality of childhood:
Educational experience/level:
Significant school experiences:
Special skills or training:
Anything un-skilled, needs work:
Hobbies:
Major illnesses, accidents or traumas:
Police record/criminal record:
DAILY LIFE:
Morning routine:
Afternoon routine:
Evening routine:
Sleep habits:
Additional information:
BACKSTORY:
Please provide a 3-5 paragraph backstory for your character.
Bear in mind that if there are things that don't apply to your character, you can cross them out or leave them blank.
INCREDIBLY COMPLETE CHARACTER PLANNING SHEET
THE BASICS:
Character name:
Nickname:
Origin of Nickname:
Birthdate:
Place of Birth:
Ethnicity:
Religion:
Height:
Weight:
Body type:
Eye color:
Glasses or Vision Enhancements:
Skin tone (pale, tan, olive, brown, etc):
Face shape: (round, square, oval, chubby, heart-shaped):
Prominent features:
Tattoos or distinguishing marks:
Casting choice (what actor do they resemble?):
General health:
Disabilities, illnesses, or weaknesses:
Fashion and style (what do they wear, how do they wear it?):
Special jewelry:
Hair color:
Hairstyle:
Grooming:
Additional information:
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Languages spoken:
Accent or dialect:
Vocabulary/reading level:
Voice tone:
Favorite phrases:
Do they curse:
Demeanor:
Mannerisms:
Gestures:
Habitual behaviors (nail-biting, drumming fingers, hair fixing, etc.):
Posture:
PROFESSIONAL INFO:
Current occupation:
Level of job satisfaction:
Years at current occupation:
Income:
Professional skills:
Combat skills:
Additional information:
LIVING CONDITIONS:
Place of residence:
Type of residence:
Surrounding area (city, rural, etc):
Describe residence:
Who do they live with:
Pets:
Overall quality of living conditions:
Home décor:
Important features of home:
Type of vehicle:
Age of vehicle:
Defining characteristics of vehicle:
Quality of vehicle:
Describe vehicle:
Additional information:
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Marital status:
Significant partner(s):
How did they meet partner:
Nickname for partner:
Previous romantic partners:
Children:
Relationship with children:
Step-children:
Important family:
Mother:
Age:
Living or deceased:
Mother’s occupation:
Father:
Age:
Living or deceased:
Father’s occupation:
Siblings:
Describe the quality of relationship with any significant family members:
Extended family:
Friends:
Best Friend:
Describe relationship with friend(s):
Additional information:
How does the character relate to:
Spouse:
Lover:
Past lovers/spouses:
Children:
Friends:
Employer:
Underlings:
Minions:
Pets:
Strangers:
Opposite sex:
Same sex:
Family members:
Competitors:
Authority:
Enemies:
Additional information:
CHARACTER PERSONALITY AND PSYCHOLOGY:
Any psychological issues or illnesses:
Meyers Briggs Personality Type:
What do they love:
What is their passion:
What do they hate:
What would they die for:
What do they value:
Secret loves:
Sexual behavior:
Personal philosophies:
Politics:
Spirituality:
Prejudices:
Greatest strength:
Greatest weakness or flaw:
Their favorite attribute:
Least favorite attribute:
Biggest secret:
Biggest fear:
Most likeable trait:
Least likeable trait:
How are they perceived by others:
Proudest accomplishment:
Other accomplishments:
Biggest regret:
Most embarrassing moment:
Personality quirks:
Would they like to change anything about themselves:
Short term or long term goals:
Obstacles:
Heroes or role models:
Negative role models:
Biggest life influence:
Likes or dislikes:
Favorite book, movie, music, etc:
Additional information:
PAST HISTORY:
Hometown:
Past relationships:
First love:
First sexual experience:
Major childhood events:
Best memory:
Worst memory:
Saddest memory:
Quality of childhood:
Educational experience/level:
Significant school experiences:
Special skills or training:
Anything un-skilled, needs work:
Hobbies:
Major illnesses, accidents or traumas:
Police record/criminal record:
DAILY LIFE:
Morning routine:
Afternoon routine:
Evening routine:
Sleep habits:
Additional information:
BACKSTORY:
Please provide a 3-5 paragraph backstory for your character.