CHARACTER TWENTY QUESTIONS

Whether you're starting fresh or have been working on a story for a while, you'll be amazed at how many hidden dimensions these quick questions will reveal about your characters.

WHAT YOU DO: Write phrases or adjectives to describe each of your major characters (and some of your minor ones). If the questions lead you to more details, feel free to write more. You may even discover scenes you didn't know you wanted to write, or back-story that will make your characters come alive. Not all questions can be answered for all characters, so interpret them any way that makes sense for your story and let them lead you where they will. That's one of the joys of creative writing!

  1. Name
  2. Age
  3. Gender
  4. Nationality, race or other "group" affiliation
  5. Mother
    • Describe, plus current whereabouts, circumstances
  6. Father
    • Describe, plus current whereabouts, circumstances
  7. Siblings/offspring
    • Describe, plus current whereabouts, circumstances
  8. Physical features
    • Hair
    • Eyes
    • Height
    • Weight
    • Body type (i.e., thick boned, rail thin, stocky, soft, wiry, really should exercise more...)
    • Dress
    • A physical or mental limitation
    • A physical or mental strength
  9. Place where they live(d)
  10. A favorite activity
  11. Best friend
  12. Worst Enemy
  13. A wish or dream
  14. One thing that makes your character laugh
  15. A fear
  16. Something they’d like to learn
  17. Something they’d like to forget
  18. Something they’d never do
  19. A quirky habit
  20. A secret

    Additional:

    • Does your character have a mentor, great teacher or example?
    • Does your character have a love interest?
    • Does your character have a pet?

    HAVE MORE CHARACTER QUESTIONS?
    LET US KNOW!