Character Development #2: Interview

Your character should be as real to you as possible. If he or she is not real to you, why would he or she be real to anyone else?

If you’re a writer, you’re part crazy. And that’s ok. You should be crazy enough to be able to see and talk to your characters as if they were real people. In that case, interview your characters. If you want to roleplay as both an interviewer and the character... well, you’re crazier than I am.

There are many questions you should ask your character, whether or not it comes into light within your story, plot, or gameplay. These questions that you ask your characters will shape who your character is, regardless of whether you tell your audience or not.

Here are some questions you should have the answers to for your characters:


Background
-->What were your parents like? Did you have a good relationship with them? Who did you like better? What was their relationship with each other like?
--> What about other family members? Do you have aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews? Cousins? Pets?
--> Did you like your childhood? What would have changed?
--> Where were you born? What was the neighborhood like that you grew up in?
--> Were you traumatized by anything as a child?


Personal
--> What ethnicity(s) are you? Where do you get those from?
--> What is your religion? Why are you that religion? What do you practice?
--> What is your philosophy towards life? Are you optimistic, pessimistic, or a realist?
--> What social class are you? What is your annual salary?
--> Which of the 7 Deadly Sins do you suffer the most from?
--> What is your highest education? Do you have any awards or degrees?
--> Do you have any illnesses? Physical or mental.


General
-->What do you do in your free time? What hobbies do you have?
--> What subjects interest you? History, Art, Literature, Music, Math, Technology, Philosophy, Medicine, Zoology, Dance, Language, Cuisine, etc...
--> What are you afraid of? Heights, spiders, enclosed spaces, dogs, UFOs, work, sex, being buried alive, germs, the world spinning backwards, dust, everything...
--> What is your biggest strength? What are some other strengths you have?
--> What is your biggest weakness? What are some other weaknesses you have?
--> What are your dreams?
--> What would you like see in the world? What changes would you make if you could?
--> What clothes style do you like? What clothes style do you think is really stupid?
--> What form of exercise do you like? What type do you hate?
--> What are foods you can’t live without? What are foods you wish never existed?
--> What are your pet peeves?
--> What turns you on? What turns you off? What do you think is romantic? Are you old fashioned or modern?
--> What are your best traits? What are your worst habits?
--> What skills do you have?


Personality Traits
--> How do you handle problems? Slow to anger? Quick to anger?
--> Shy or loud?
--> Quick witted or slow to process?
--> Sarcastic or sincere?
--> Show off, goof, or angel?
--> Rebellious or obedient?

The list can go on and on if you let it. And you should! The more you know about your character, the better! Characters have to be living, breathing people to you or else your story will be weak.

Remember: Stories are character driven, not plot driven. I can’t emphasize that enough. Your characters tell the story, you’re just there to put it on paper.

Helpful Tip: Look at my blog on character development with astrology here: http://thickorthingamewriting.blogspot.com/2008/12/character-development-type-1-astrology.html

Use it with the questions to create an awesome character!