Wow, can’t believe it’s day 4 of the blogging challenge already. If you haven’t already, check out my other posts about what inspired me to become a writer, how to write when you don’t feel like it, and how a pantser outlines.
One of the most important things in any story is characterisation. So it’s always a good idea to write a profile for any character you write about whether it be in a short story, comic or novel. Your readers won’t connect to your characters if they don’t seem real.
I always find it helpful to write a profile for my character and it helps me get to know them and understand what motivates them. Character profiles are good for any genre you may write in but depending on which one you do write in you may want to add other things. For example, if you’re a fantasy author like me then you many want to add things like what powers and other abilities the character has.
Here’s a basic character outline that I use for my own characters:
Name:
Age:
Race:
Gender:
Occupation:
Eye Colour:
Hair Colour:
Height:
Build:
Relationship status:
Parents:
Siblings:
Best friend:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Hobbies:
What would you add to your character profiles?
Resources
How to write a highly detailed character profile
Amber Lea Easton
Unlike you, I don’t have a form for a character profile. I sit down and simply start writing a few paragraphs of back story for each of my main characters. I write more about who they are rather than what they look like–what do they dream about, what are their faults, what makes them afraid, what’s their favorite food, what’s their personality like, are they social or anti-social, do they like their family or not and why, that sort of thing.
Amber Lea Easton
I wanted to add–I’m glad you posted this. A lot of writers don’t take the time to get to know their characters in a fully fleshed out way. This is a good reminder to all to take the time to do something simple that gives some insight into our characters.
tiffanyshand
Thanks. I don’t always use the form. Sometimes I write out paragraphs too but if I’m struggling with a character then sometimes it helpd. Thanks for commenting!
Thoughtflask
Oh I like this! I aim to write a novel in my life and I wanted to get some serious skin to it this year, but with no mentor I was just kind of writing little bits here and there, but this is definitely something I can build a character out of, to then compare my characters and see what sub story lines I can build! Thank you!
tiffanyshand
Thanks, glad you found it helpful!