Here are some exercises I've created to help you develop your characters. You don't have to use all of them, and you can either print them out of just copy and paste what you want. Just some ideas to help you!
1. Surveys completed from your character's point of view may sound strange, but you'd be surprised what you can learn with just these simple things. Watch how your character responds, too (wordy, to-the-point, sarcastic, etc.), not just what they say.
What does your name mean?
~SLEEP~
~SCHOOL/WORK~
~FRIENDS~
~FAMILY~
~RELATIONSHIPS~
~Sex (Very important development to some stories)~
~RELIGION~
~MORALS~
~MEDIA~
~MUSIC~
~SPORT~
~PERSONALITY~
~LOOKS~
~MONEY~
~EMBARRASSING MOMENTS~
~MEMORIES~
~THOUGHTS~
How old are you?
How old are you mentally (as in are you maturity)?
Describe yourself in 5 words.
What are your worst qualities
What are your best qualities
How long does it take you get get ready in the morning
Do you remember your dreams?
Describe one.
What time do you go to bed usually?
What time do you wake up normally?
What time do you wake on weekends?
Do youfind waking late nice or annoying?
do you sleep with one pillow or two?
Do you like school/work?
Why/why not?
Whats ur fave subject/job?
Most hated subject/job?
Do you have a fave teacher/co-worker/boss?
Ever had a crush ona teacher/co-worker/boss?
Are you a maths/science person or an english/drama person?
Do you have heaps of friends?
Do you have a best friend?
Do you have more guy friends or more girl friends?
Do you ever get annoyed at any friend?
Have you ever lied to a friend?
Have you ever stolen a friend's boyfriend/girlfriend?
Do you like your parents?
Ever run away from home?
Ever thought about it?
Do you have any siblings?
If so, do you like or get annoyed with them?
How old are they?
If not, do you mind being an only child?
Do you feel your parents spoil you?
Do you not get along with any of your family?
Do you have big family get togethers ever?
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
If so, are you in love with them?
Do they love you?
How long have you been together?
Most romantic thing theyve ever done for you?
Do you have a crush?
If so, are you in love?
Do they know you like them?
Is it serious or playful?
How long have you liked them?
Ever done something stupid to impress them?
Have you ever experienced unrequited love?
Do u find it romantic or hurtful?
Even know what it is?
Ever had sex?
believe that a person shouldnt have sex before marriage?
Believe in casual sex?
When do you plan/when did you lose your virginity?
Did you regret it?
Do you have a religion?
Do you practice it; i.e go to church?
Do you believe in God?
Jesus?
Satan?
Heaven?
Hell?
If you died tomorrow what do you beleive will happen to you?
Does death scare you?
Have you ever been drunk?
taken drugs?
stolen?
shoplifted?
tried to commit suicide?
Lied to a boyfriend or girlfriend?
gotten into a fight?
are you more innocent or guilty?
Would you date a drug addict?
have you ever had to look after someone who was a drug addict?
Are you racist?
Are you discriminatory to anyone?
Have you been a hypocrite in the past?
Do you have an open or closed mind to other peoples beliefs and feelings?
Do you watch tons of tv?
How many times have you been to the movies in the past 6 months?
Do you listne to the radio often?
Do you read the newspaper?
Do you read magazines?
Are you a couch potato?
Do you use the internet too much?
Whats your fave style of music?
Do you play an instrument?
Do you sing?
Whats your fave band?
Why?
Have you met them before?
Name 3 cds that youve bought in that last year.
Why did you buy them?
Whats your fave sport?
Whats your fave sport to watch?
Do you have a fave team of any sort?
Do you play a lot of sport?
ever won anything for sport?
Are you funny or serious?
Creative or not?
Logical thinker or lateral thinker?
Are you outgoing or shy?
Are you lazy or active?
Have you ever been hyperactive?
Are you a naturally hyperactive person?
Are you happy with the way you look?
What would you change?
Do you wear makeup regularly?
Do you have a large wardrobe?
Do you have a job?
Do you like it?
Are you a saver or a spender?
Do you work hard or slack off?
Have you ever been fired?
In trouble at work?
Made a major mistake?
Ever had money stolen from you?
Are you always broke?
Your all time most embarassing moment?
Ever snorted drink out your nose?
Ever giggled like an idiot?
Ever embarassed yourself and pretended nothing happened?
Ever tripped in front of someone you liked?
Ever said soemthing really stupid?
Ever snorted while laughing?
Ever fallen off a bed?
Ever sleepwalked?
Ever sleeptalked?
Whats your best memory?
Worst?
Whats the wierdest memory you have?
Do you have a good memory?
Whats the coolest holiday you remember having?
Ever had funny thoughts and laughed and no one understood you?
Whats the firs thtoughts that come to your head while hearing these words?
cheese
rubber
clothes
big
dress
jacket
polyester
kite
washing
2. Complete a character bio (I *always* do these). Here are two different forms --one long, one short. Definitely add your own questions --these are just basics.
Short::
Longer (answer in complete thoughts; usually paragraphs)::
3. Interview them. Create a set of questions, then sit down and ask your character and have them respond. If you don't like the idea of interviewing them (perhaps for a tv special or a magazine), stick them on a psychiatrist's couch.
4. This is very important and deals with developing your story as well: if you get a sudden scene in your head --say I'm writing about Delia learning to drive but then get a sudden plot bunny (see that section) about her getting ready for graduation-- write it! It doesn't matter that it won't happen for years in the story, and, who knows, it may never even get used at all! But the more you write about your character, the better you know them, so write about them every chance you get!
5. That said, intentionally stick your character in some situations. Make Delia stand in a long line in the grocery store and see what she does. Even if you don't need that little scene for your story, you never know; it might come in handy later, or even in another story.
Name: .
Birthday: .
Nicknames: .
Home: .
Family: .
Personality: .
Hobbies: .
Full name:
Nickname:
Age/Birthday:
Background:
Family & history:
Personality:
Appearance:
Why is your character in the story?: