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Character Development Worksheet

Use this worksheet to assist you in the development of your fiction characters!

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Time Period:
Story Title:
Takes place in what Locale/Time of day:
Character Name:
Character Age:
Character Race:
Character Sex:
Inhuman? Y/N What human qualities?
Why is this character worth writing about?:

Animal, human, fantasy, etc.?

Main Character? Y / N
Most Important Thing To Know About The Character:
A One Line Description:
Present Problem or Crisis: :

Description of Home/Apartment (physical, mental, and emotional atmosphere):


Describe Environment.:

The best thing that ever happened to the C?


The worst thing that ever happened to the C?

CHARACTER
Best character trait?
Outstanding Qualities:
Worst character trait/ flaw?
What kind of person do other people think character is?
What is MCs opinion of self?
Sense of humor/ what kind?
Is C capable of lying Y / N, cheating Y / N, stealing Y / N
Why?
How does character react in extreme circumstances?:
How does character see his/her own faults?:
Why is MC different from other characters?
Why do I like/dislike this character?
Why will this MC be remembered?
Habitual Expressions:
Habitual Mannerisms:
Fears:
Frustrations:
Temperament style:
Emotions:
Leader? Y / N
Follower? Y / N
Dropout? Y / N

Enemies and Why:


Characteristics of enemy:
Enemies significant contributions to current situation:

Physical Appearance
Height:
Weight:
Type of Body:
Appearance:
Any Birthmarks or scars?
Posture:
Unique Mannerisms, gestures, expressions, sound of voice:
Scars or Handicaps (physical, mental, emotional)
Complexion:
Hair Color:
Eye Color:
Jawline:
Lips:
Mouth:
Eyebrows:
Face:
Ears:
Nose:
Neck:
Teeth:
Hands:
Fingers:
Shoulders:
Hips:
Waist:

Begin sketching Possible physical characteristics.


Character Development Worksheet

Characters Full Name __________________________


Characters Nickname(s) __________________________
Significance of the name and/or nickname
_____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Physical Characteristics:
Describe each physical characteristic and, on the line below each, tell
how the character
feels about the characteristic (self-perception).
Age _____________
______________________________________________________________________
Age character actually appears and the reason
why______________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Hair color and style
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Eye color ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Height ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Weight
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Body type/Build
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Shape of Face and Distinguishing Features
___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Coloring _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Cleanliness
_____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Noticeable handicaps
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Sense of style
____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Thing the character would most like to change about him/herself and
why-
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

1
Anne Olwin Copyright 2007
Intelligences and Attitudes:
Circle the ones that apply: Mechanical Analytical Physical (sports)
Technical Social Artistic Mathematical Musical
Introspective Optimistic Pessimistic Rational Irrational
Kindhearted Hardhearted Calculating Sneaky Integrity
Honorable Downtrodden Strong Weak Careless
Punctual Thoughtful Fastidious Authentic Brave
Barbaric Gentle Thoughtless Melodramatic Phlegmatic
Choleric Sanguine Melancholy Introvert Extrovert
Others personal attributes
__________________________________________________
Talents
_________________________________________________________________
Drive and Motivators in Characters Life
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Likes
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Dislikes
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Pet peeves
________________________________________________________________________
Value Character places on Things and Why
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Spirituality
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Habits:
Common Expressions
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Mannerisms, peculiarities and quirks
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Fun Pursuits/ Favorite pastimes


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Hobbies
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2
Anne Olwin Copyright 2007
Relationships:
Family (Who and describe the relationship)
Mother
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Father____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Siblings
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Spouse/Lover______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Children
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Friendships (Who and describe the relationships)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Other significant relationships to characters in the story
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Pets
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
General behavior toward others
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Describe how others perceive the character and note any disparity
between views
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Significant Personal History:


Birthplace _____________________________________
Upbringingwhere and how
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3
Anne Olwin Copyright 2007
Educationwhere and what
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Significant Events
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Biggest Success
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Current Situation
Describe each and tell how the character feels about them.
Residence
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Vehicles
________________________________________________________________________
Stuff (Belongings)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Job/ Employment
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Relationships
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Hardships that linger
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Delights that linger
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Biggest Regret
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Secrets and who knows about them
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

4
Anne Olwin Copyright 2007
5
Secret Hopes and Dreams
Places character would like to visit
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Things character would like to do
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
People character would like to meet
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Who character would most like to emulate and why
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Long-range goals
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Short-range goals
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Author Analysis of Character


This character makes a good:
Hero, because _____________________________________________________
Villain, because ____________________________________________________
Supporting Character, because
_________________________________________

Im intrigued by this character because:


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Time-period that best fits this character:


_______________________________________

Setting that best fits this character:


___________________________________________

Other characters needed to make this character work:


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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