Developing your character - worksheet

[OttoVann]

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 “One”

 

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/8corh71vsa3gd8p/Character%20Worksheet.docx?dl=0