Mini Character-Development Sheet

A Pen In Each Hand

By Baker

Name:

  • Purpose in story*:
  • Protagonist
  • Antagonist
  • Friend
  • Rival
  • Mentor
  • Love interest
  • Symbol
  • Other

If one asks the character, s/he would give these answers:

  • Best physical feature?
  • Worst physical feature?
  • Best trait?
  • Worst trait?
  • Proudest moment(s)?
  • Darkest moments(s)?
  • I am most ashamed of…
  • … makes me happier than anything else
  • Biggest vice?
  • Best gift to give myself?
  • Best gift to give someone else?
  • Best advice received?
  • Best or most often given advice?
  • Skill I have that no one knows about?
  • The secret(s) I would never tell anyone…
  • The secret someone knows… (and who knows it and how I feel about them knowing)
  • If I could get away with it, I would…
  • Best surprise?
  • Worst surprise?
  • Illnesses, allergies, phobias, etc.?
  • I am ashamed of…
  • I am proud of…
  • I am right about…
  • I may be wrong about…
  • … makes me angry enough to lose control
  • If I feel myself overwhelmed by emotion, I…
  • When I am alone, I…
  • When I am surrounded by others, I…
  • … knows my true nature, which is…
  • Traits I admire in others?
  • Traits I despise in others?
  • Nothing could be worse than being seen as…
  • Nothing could be better than being seen as…
  • My relationship with my mother is/was…
  • My relationship with my father is/was…
  • My first romantic relationship was…
  • Most influential relationship?
  • Worst decision?
  • Best decision?
  • … is typical of me (a decision, trait, circumstance, etc.)
  • Anything else I would want people to know (or not know) about me?

As the author, you would give these answers about this character:

  • Best physical feature?
  • Worst physical feature?
  • Best trait?
  • Worst trait?
  • Proudest moment(s)?
  • Darkest moments(s)?
  • He/she is most ashamed of…
  • … makes him/her happier than anything else
  • Biggest vice?
  • Best gift to give self?
  • Best gift to give someone else?
  • Best advice received?
  • Best or most often given advice?
  • Skill s/he has that no one knows about?
  • The secret(s) s/he would never tell anyone…
  • The secret someone knows… (and who knows it and how s/he feels about them knowing)
  • If s/he could get away with it, s/he would…
  • Best surprise?
  • Worst surprise?
  • Illnesses, allergies, phobias, etc.?
  • S/he is ashamed of…
  • S/he is proud of…
  • S/he is right about…
  • S/he is wrong about…
  • … makes him/her angry enough to lose control
  • If s/he feels overwhelmed by emotion…
  • When alone, s/he…
  • When surrounded by others, s/he…
  • … knows his/her true nature, which is…
  • Traits admired in others?
  • Traits despised in others?
  • Nothing could be worse than being seen as…
  • Nothing could be better than being seen as…
  • Relationship with mother is/was…
  • Relationship with father is/was…
  • First romantic relationship was…
  • Most influential relationship?
  • Best decision?
  • Worst decision?
  • … is typical of him/her

My opinion of this character is…

  • I like… (about the character)
  • I dislike…
  • What did the character determine about him/herself?
  • What have I imposed on this character?
  • The character is unique because…
  • The character’s greatest attribute is…
  • The character’s greatest flaw in terms of the story and/or effect on other characters is…
  • Other notes about my the character

*Elaborate on any of these; feel free to fill in names of other characters and how they relate to this one. For example, this sheet may be about the protagonist’s best friend, Kelly. Kelly may have a rival, maybe a common rival w/ the protagonist. Go ahead and fill in that info if it helps you determine Kelly’s character.

Character Development Worksheet

Jam & Judicious Advice

Create a Character

NAME:

Nickname:

Meaning/History:

Notes:

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Gender:

Age:

Age claimed:

Birthday:

Astrological sign:

Hair color:

Shape/style/length:

Eye color:

Vision:

Skin tone:

Marks (freckles, birthmarks, tattoos, scars):

Height:

Weight:

Build/Body shape:

Mannerisms:

Parents & Siblings:

RESIDENCE:

Country:

State:

County:

City:

Street:

Type of Home:

Condition of Home:

Reason/History of Home:

Time in this Home:

Roommates/Housemates/Guests/Family In Home:

Grounds:

Outside Upkeep Habits:

Interior Design:

Furnishings:

Inside Upkeep Habits:

PERSONALITY:

Character’s Best Trait (to character):

Character’s Actual Best Trait:

Character’s Worst Trait (to character):

Character’s Actual Worst Trait:

Character’s Motto (to character):

Character’s Actual Motto:

Hopes/Dreams/Desires:

Religion/Philosophy:

Politics:

Temperament:

Actions while Angry:

Actions while Happy:

Hates:

Reaction when presented with above:

Loves:

Reaction when above are threatened:

Vices:

Type of Self Rewards and When:

Type of Self Punishments and When:

Biggest Regret & Why:

Reaction to Adversity:

Reaction to Triumph:

Manners Alone:

Manners Around Same Gender:

Manners Around Opposite Gender:

CURRENT INFORMATION:

Time of Story (past, present, future, era):

Occupation:

Occupational goals:

Occupational “lingo”:

Awards/Recognition:

Emotional reaction to work:

Notes on “Work Personality”:

Skills:

Income:

Income goals:

Saves or spends:

Favorite thing to purchase:

Wants to purchase:

Hobbies/Leisure pursuits

Biggest accomplished achievement in life:

Awards/Recognition (non-work):

Current Relationship:

Relevant Friends:

How the character relates to each:

Current relationship with family members:

Politics:

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Birthplace:

Religion:

Feeling About Childhood:

Childhood Trauma:

How trauma affects character today:

Education:

Best/Worst/Favorite subject:

After school activities:

Biggest influence/Mentor:

Friends/Teachers/Relatives/Pets from past that could influence plot (includes invisible friends/dolls/bears):

Childhood habit hardest to break and how it affects character today:

What did they want to be when they grew up?

Special childhood abilities:

Childhood hideout:

Event that will affect plot:

Past relationships that affect plot:

Last relationship:

How did it end & why:

ETCETERA:

The most bizarre thing about your character:

The very best thing about your character:

The very worst thing about your character:

NOTES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Background Image: Tod McQuillin/Flickr (CC-by-nc-sa)


Basic Astrological Information

Aries
March 21st to April 21st
Keyword: “I AM”
Fire
Energetic, optimistic, courageous, impulsive, and open-minded.

Taurus
April 21st to May 21st
Keyword: “I HAVE”
Earth
Patient, stubborn, practical, dependable, and affectionate.

Gemini
May 21st to June 21st
Keyword: “I THINK”
Air
Responsive, lively, adaptable, versatile, and intellectual.

Cancer
June 21st to July 21st
Keyword: “I FEEL”
Water
Kind, loyal, imaginative, sensitive, and sympathetic.

Leo
July 21st to August 21st
Keyword: “I WILL”
Fire
Powerful, extravagant, exuberant, creative, and expansive.

Virgo
August 21st to September 21st
Keyword: “I ANALYZE”
Earth
Modest, industrious, organized, curious, and conscientious.

Libra
September 21st to October 21st
Keyword: “I BALANCE”
Air
Artistic, charming, peaceful, diplomatic, and harmonious.

Scorpio
October 21st to November 21st
Keyword: “I CREATE”
Water
Magnetic, intense, obstinate, passionate, and persistent.

Sagittarius
November 21st to December 21st
Keyword: “I PERCEIVE”
Fire
Generous, ambitious, adventurous, optimistic, and freedom loving.

Capricorn
December 21st to January 21st
Keyword: “I USE”
Earth
Prudent, steadfast, cunning, determined, and disciplined.

Aquarius
January 21st to February 21st
Keyword: “I KNOW”
Air
Assertive, friendly, original, inventive, and independent.

Pisces
February 21st to March 21st
Keyword: “I BELIEVE”
Water
Intuitive, emotional, romantic, compassionate, and mystical.