The Character Questionnaire & How to Use It

I have compiled a list of traits that you need to consider when creating any important character in your story; The Character Questionnaire. Don't make things easy for your characters; uncover patterns of past problems that give clues to future behavior and story conflict. "As Good As It Gets" is a great example of how to look at your story; a story is often really about problems that the main characters have carried around with them their whole lives, and that they are finally dealing with them because of larger events.

The trick to effectively creating character information is to be as specific as possible. Don't just say their favorite food is pizza, say it's the garlic and clam sauce pizza made at a tiny joint on 52nd St. in New York by this ancient Italian guy named Frank, who never takes a cigar out of his mouth. Your character isn't simply scared of cats, but is specifically terrified of orange striped tabbies, but doesn't know why (although you should know the real reason). Specific information will create specific, unique characters.

Here are some examples of how to approach filling out the Questionnaire:

Name: Very important! Think of how Charles Dickens used names as clues to people's behavior or situation. A good name can often suggest entire personalities for your characters. If you have a problem developing a particular character, try changing their name; it may open up whole new possibilities. Does their name sound hard or soft? Does it suggest their ethnicity? Is their name incredibly incongruous for comic or ironic effect? How does the character feel about their own name? Do they have a nickname? Did the character change their name for personal or criminal reasons, perhaps to hide a dark past or escape relatives, debtors, or the law?

Appearance: It is essential that you are able to visualize your character. Also, often their looks are often keys to their behavior, and are definitely clues to how they will be treated and reacted to by others.

Some basic considerations: age, height, weight, hair color/style, eye color, makeup? (gaudy/tasteful), clothing style (fashionable/unfashionable).

Background: These are just the basic logistics of their early life. Where did they come from? Are they proud of their roots or ashamed? Does their cultural heritage suggest behavior or beliefs?

Some basic considerations: country/area/city of birth, class or status, race or ethnicity, parents' professions, education, religion.

Psychology: Here is where we begin to delve into specific aspects of their personality. Remember, everybody has problems -- nobody is perfect. These details will suggest many of your story elements, and essential dramatic elements such as goals.

Some basic considerations: hopes/desires (world peace, a good cup of coffee, sex, a cure for cancer, to be left alone), fears/phobias (public speaking, heights, hypochondria, nuclear war, accidental drowning, loss of dignity), sexuality (straight, gay, B&D, fish, green-eyed lesbian pastry chefs with plaid earmuffs), obsessions, hobbies, habits, favorites (music, food, vacation spots, colors, animals, flowers, etc.), hates (same as previous list).

Philosophy: It has been oft said that "character is point of view." A well-developed, unique philosophy will flesh your character out in the best, most dimensional ways possible. Philosophy relates to everything a character is or does, from goals, to actions, to habits, to arguments they have with the mailman. Arguments are an inevitability of drama, and they are caused by both differing goals and differing points of view. Throw two people in a room with deeply opposing philosophies and give them confrontational goals, and the two of them will soon verbally battle it out.

Your degree of thoroughness in this exercise will show on the screen. This is because when your character has a chance to speak or react, their behavior will be dictated by a psychology and history you have created -- and they will practically write themselves! This is the magic moment that every writer works for; when the characters begin to come alive on the page. This does not mean that they should wrest control of the story from you and take it in a new direction. It simply means that your story will become in a sense a collaboration between you and your creations. But don't forget who's boss -- you are still god of your tiny universe. But be open to what your characters tell you. They are, after all, a part of your own experience and personality, and can reveal things about yourself you never knew. This process fulfills the other goal of art beyond transmission of thought and emotion; that of personal insight and growth.

Related Links:

The Character Questionnaire
All of the basic information you need to construct a believable and dimensional character.