Creating Characters

 

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How do you create characters for your stories?

This question is for the writers who read my blog. What do you do when you create your characters? At the end of this blog post you’ll find a character chart that I use to help me to create my people. I have no idea where this chart originated. I believe I gleaned some of it from a Writers’ Digest book about creating characters. It’s also possible that I got some of the questions from another author. I’m creating a novel now, and I had to pull this out to create the people that go along with my story.

What method do you use for creating characters? Leave a comment!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Questions that should be answered when creating characters for novels:

Character Name:

 

Age:

 

Physical Characteristics:

 

Best Feature:

 

Feelings about their own looks:

 

Clothes:

 

Ethnic Background:

 

Siblings/Relatives:

 

Neighborhood of Youth:

 

Education:

 

Church affiliation:

 

What they believe about God:

 

Parent’s Attitudes about:

 

Money/Getting Ahead:

 

Discipline received:

 

Friends:

 

Spouse/Children:

 

Job:

 

Neighborhood:

 

Attitude about:

 

Money/Getting Ahead:

 

Sex:

 

Hobbies:

 

Favorite Foods:

 

Favorite Music:

 

Favorite Movie/Book:
Friends:

 

Fears/Inhibitions:

 

Guilt:

 

Longings/Goals:

 

Weaknesses:

 

Strong Points:

 

Habits:

 

Pet Peeves:

 

RULING TRAIT:

 

A character question: Does your character MAKE things happen or REACT to what happens?

 

What is the most significant/emotional things that have happened in your character’s life?

2 thoughts on “Creating Characters

  1. Sandy (Belle Calhoune)

    Hi Cecelia,
    My name is Sandy and I’m a new writer for Love Inspired. I think I’ve seen your name on the LI loops. I like your character chart. I use something like that when I’m creating characters for a WIP. I think it’s important to know what your character is afraid of..their worst fear. GMC is tied up in that. Goal. Motivation. Conflict. Great topic.
    Sandy

    Reply
    1. Cecelia Dowdy

      Sandy, it’s so great that you stopped by! Congrats on your new contract with Love Inspired! Yes, I agree it’s best to know your characters’ worse fear – tied into GMC. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful New Year!

      Reply

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