When creating an original character, the author will always have to know more about that 'person' than is ever revealed in the text. This information may be relevant for the character's attitude, how they speak or it could even spark an idea for future stories. The author can soon get into the habit of creating characters with memorable traits and personalities that readers will want to stick with until the end of the story.
This profile will form the foundation of your character. As a general rule, if you can't answer these questions about your character, then you need to go back and take another look.
Physical basics
Gender: Is your character male, female or transgendered?
Age: Here you could include birth date, place and perhaps astrological sign. Exact ages aren't always needed though, and approximations such as late forties are acceptable. Include how old your character feels as well. Are they a grumpy old man in their twenties or a childish pensioner?
Height: Exact or approximate heights.
Weight: Chances are you won't know the exact weight of all your characters, but an approximate weight can be useful.
Body shape: Is your character built like Mr. Universe, or are they more delicate? Wording is important as big and large can conjure up different mental images.
Face shape: Has your character go a chiseled jaw or even a weak one? Perhaps they have a rounded softer face, or are they perfectly symmetrical?
Skin tone: Don't just put the obvious--everyone's skin is different. Your character may be white, but are they pale and milky or more rosy cheeked?
Eyes: Here again wording is important. Hazel eyes and brown eyes are different and create a different character image.
Hair: Use specific hair colour and style. Long, straight chestnut hair creates a different image than a short, ebony bob.
Clothes: What style does your character have? Do they spend all their time in jeans, or do they prefer to be more formal?
Speaking style: Does your character have a particular accent which makes them stand out? How do they express themselves? Do they ramble on to the annoyance of others, or are they succinct?
Internal characteristics
Education: Include here any formal and informal training your character has undertaken. What school did they attend, and did they do well? Did they learn to play a musical instrument? Include skills here as well, such as painting, driving or if your character is particularly good at fixing things.
Hobbies: What does your character like to do? Are they a couch potato who plays games all weekend, or do they like to hike? Favourite things can be included here if you wish as well as dislikes.
Career: What does your character do? Is it what they wanted to be doing, or did they have other plans?
Home: Where does your character live? Do they like it, or is it temporary? Does your character have a place where they dream of living?
Best qualities: What are your characters strengths? These should be a mixture of things relevant to your plot and irrelevant. Try to include physical and emotional strengths.
Worst qualities: What are your characters flaws? include here weaknesses, both physical and emotional, as well as any fears or prejudices your character has. Everyone is afraid of something. Likewise, everyone has some form of prejudice. Try to pick things relevant to the plot for your character.
Demeanour: How does your character come across to others? Do they appear relaxed, or are they highly strung? How do the characters see themselves, and does this correspond to how others view them?
Using this character profile will go some way toward creating characters that are believable and well rounded, which readers will want to spend time with.
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