character questionnaire nano

Character Questionnaire 1



Queen Anne



This questionnaire is found in Gotham Writers’ Workshop’s Writing Fiction.

You might start with questions that address the basics about a character:

• What is your character’s name? Does the character have a nickname?

Queen Anne The children call her Queen Mother.

• What is your character’s hair color? Eye color?

She had green eyes and dark hair that is nearly to her knees when it was down

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

She always shows a smile. You could not see worry in her eyes.

• Does your character have a birthmark? Where is it? What about scars? How did he get them?

A mark shaped like a star constellation on her right shoulder. The center star was larger than the rest. Later in the story we find that she was taken by the aliens as a child. They took some of her young eggs, marked her, and sent her back to her kingdom. 

This mark was to mark her as Thomas' mother.

Who are your character’s friends and family?

Her family was all killed. Her parents, husband, and two children.

Who does she surround herself with?

She loves to have children around her. Jade her governess, maid, and best friend is always by her side. She is secretly in love with William that is always guarding her and the kingdom.

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Jade and William

Who does he wish he were closest to?

Arabella her daughter in law

• Where was your character born?

    She was born princess of her kingdom.



Where has she lived since then?

Jade was her governess that helped raise Anne in the castle.



Where does she call home?

Kingdom of Salaamamata

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

         Queen goes to the tower where she get inspiration by the sight of her kingdom and the people in it.

What is her biggest fear?

Not have an heir

Who has she told this to?

She has told both Jade, and  William suspects this.

Who would she never tell this to?

She has not told William.





Why?

He is her general that she is in secretly in love with. She does not want this to be a scandal for her Kingdom.

• Does she have a secret?

         Her love for William, and the appearance of her          grandson.

• What makes your character laugh out loud?

         Playing with children, and watching Thomas          play with William.

• When has your character been in love?

         Queen Anne was married to King Mur. It was an arranged marriage from her childhood.

Had a broken heart?

She was beginning to fall in love with him when he and her family was killed.

Then dig deeper by asking more unconventional questions:



What is in your character’s refrigerator right now?

She has anything that she needs. Her meals are prepared and served by her trusted maid and friend Jade.

On her bedroom floor?

It is gold and black marble. She has a hand woven white and gold area rug given to her by the children of the kingdom.

On her nightstand?

Her crown

A gold handled hair brush

Water basin

Royal seal

her room?

Painting of her parents on the opposite side wall from her bed

Painting of her husband beside her bed

gold marble fireplace beneath the painting of her parents

one entire wall was windows with window seats and curtains

In her garbage can?

Wadded pieces of parchment with her poetry on it

Look at your character’s feet. Describe what you see there. Does he wear dress shoes, gym shoes, or none at all?

Queen Anne's shoes are black with gold soles laced up until they disappear beneath her royal robes

Is he in socks that are ratty and full of holes?

Unable to see socks

Or is she wearing a pair  gold earrings given to her by her grandmother?

Queen wears those earrings that are given to her by her father.

On her right hand she wears the royal rings that was passed down for many generations of royalty On her left hand she wears only a band made of shells given to her by the children that she had lost.

Around her neck was a locket with a picture of King Thomas her father.

When your character thinks of her childhood kitchen, what smell does she associate with it?

         When Anne smells wild flowers she          remembers her mother.



         She loves to bathe in the peddles of wild flowers          and roses.

Why is that smell so resonant for her?

Her mother would take her to the fields, followed by Jade and the royal guard, to pick flowers.

Your character is doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for her to throw out?

         She can give our treasures before she can          throw out the least of gifts from her people.

What is difficult for her to part with?

I think that it is hard for queen Anne to throw anything sentimental.

Why?

She loved her kingdom and her people. She was serous about protecting and guiding them.



It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing?

Queen can be found in the courtyard either attending to the needs of the people or playing with the pheasant children.

Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat?

Anne would chose from many things for her meals. She did not have a special meal that she ate regular.

hens eggs

pulses, onions, garlic and olives

fish

bread (made from barley or, if you could afford it, wheat)

goats cheese

roasted hare, peacocks eggs or iris bulbs in vinegar.

fruit such as raisins, apricots, figs, apples, pears and pomegranates.

Wine was also a popular drink



What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood?

When she first met Jade.

Why is it so powerful and lasting?

Jade was a slave that was taken in battle. She dressed differently, looked differently, and spoke differently. But she fast became Anne's second mother.

Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where is she going?

When Anne goes out it takes a group of six women to help her dress. She has to dress in so many layers.

What does she wear?

Many layers of girdle, petty coats, dress, gloves, royal robes, crown, and laced shoes.

Who will she be with?

She is always accompanied by Jade and William with his royal guard.

Character Questionnaire 1

William

• What is your character’s name?

Royal General William

Does the character have a nickname?

Sir William

• What is your character’s hair color?

Dirty blond

Eye color?

Bright Blue

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

His eyes are unusually sky blue

• Does your character have a birthmark?

A group of freckles that resemble a cluster of stars

Where is it?

On his right hip



What about scars?

Scare through his beard and lips

How did he get them?

Battle to save the Royal family, but lost the queens mother, father King Thomas, her husband, and her children.

He was only able to save Queen Anne and Jade

Who are your character’s friends and family?

Queen Anne, Jade, Arabelle,

Who does he surround herself with?

Queen Anne, young King Thomas, soilders

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Queen Anne and Young Thomas

Who does he wish he were closest to?

He wishes that he could have a relationship with the Queen that is more than just general



• Where was your character born?

Kingdom of Salaamamata

Where has he lived since then?

His life was the castle

Where does she call home?

Kingdom of Salaamamata

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

He goes to the village to drink

         What is her biggest fear?

That Queen Anne falls in love and marries

Who has he told this to?

He has told no one

Who would he never tell this to?

Queen Anne

Why?

He was afraid of rejection and he felt that he was not noble enough for her. Royalty was to marry Royalty.

• Does he have a secret?

He is in love with queen Anne since she became a woman.

         • What makes your character laugh out loud?

Watching the queen play with the children of the kingdom

         • When has your character been in love?

About the time queen Anne turned 26

         Had a broken heart?

No he had never fallen in love with anyone but Anne

Then dig deeper by asking more unconventional questions:

What is in your character’s refrigerator right now?

He eats either at the castle or with his solders. When he eats on the field he eats what he kills.

On her bedroom floor?

There is a animal skin rug

On her nightstand?

A dagger, glass of water, and a parchment

his room?

His room is modest. There is a modest bed, water basin, large window with seat, a desk, and a locked cabinet with his weapons.

Look at your character’s feet. Describe what you see there. Does he wear dress shoes, gym shoes, or none at all?

with a flat one-piece sole and rounded toes. Later shoes tied with a ribbon over the instep.

Is he in socks that are ratty and full of holes?

He wore tights under his clothes

Or is he wearing a pair  gold earrings given to his by her grandmother?

He wore a silk scarf that Queen Anne's father King Thomas gave him as he was dying to take care of Anne

When your character thinks of his childhood kitchen, what smell does he associate with it?

The smell of animal stew that his mother cooked from the kills that General John had made. The peppers and onions filled the kitchen.

         Why is that smell so resonant for him?

         It brings his admiration that everyone had in his          father as a general and a hunter.

Your character is doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for her to throw out?

William is not sentimental at all. He would have no issues with throwing out past communications with others.

          What is difficult for her to part with?

The silk scarf that King Thomas had given him from Anne

Why?

Because William knew no one as family more than the royal family. His family became servents with the royal family while Anne's father King Thomas was only a child Prince.

It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing?

William is either training in warfare, or hiding out secretly writing love sonnets about queen Anne

Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat?

hens eggs

fish

bread

goats cheese

fruit such as raisins, apricots, figs, apples, pears and pomegranates.

Wine

What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood?

Jade telling stories to Anne and him. Stories about her homeland.

Why is it so powerful and lasting?

He admired Jade for the love she was able to generate to those who stole her a way from her life and made her a slave.

Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where is he going?

He is going to the village to drink

What does she wear?

His cloak and sword is a must for him

Who will he be with?

William like to be alone. He would not have a companion with him





Character Questionnaire 1



• What is your character’s name?

Thomas

Does the character have a nickname?

Thomas the strange

• What is your character’s hair color?

He could not grow any hair anywhere on his body

Eye color?

Bright sky blue

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

Eyes are bright and quite large.

• Does your character have a birthmark?

Pale skin, a collection of “freckles”

Where is it?

on his back



What about scars?

none

How did he get them?

N/A

Who are your character’s friends and family?

Queen Anne

William

Jade

Arabelle

Who does he surround herself with?

The queen and William

Who are the people your character is closest to?

same

Who does he wish he were closest to?

His wife



• Where was your character born?

Planet Zora V

Where has she lived since then?

Since he was five he lived with Queen Anne

Where does she call home?

Castle at Kingdom of Salaamamata

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

He shows no anger, when he needs time to himself he goes to the spot where he first came to earth

         What is her biggest fear?

That Arabelle will kill his son

Who has he told this to?

Jade and the Queen

Who would he never tell this to?

Arabelle

Why?

Because he wants her to stay away from their son



• Does he have a secret?

Where he is from

         • What makes your character laugh out loud?

He can not speak

         • When has your character been in love?

No true love he was married through arrangement to Arabelle

         Had a broken heart?

When he saw his wife trying to kill their new born

Then dig deeper by asking more unconventional questions:

What is in your character’s refrigerator right now?

No mention of him eating

On her bedroom floor?

Royal crest

his room?

Wall of windows with black curtains

window seat

large bed with feather mattresses

a painting of King Thomas (queen Anne's father)

Or is he wearing a pair  gold earrings given to him by his grandmother?

Thomas has a strange amulet around his neck given to him by the aliens

         Why is that smell so resonant for her?

         The smell of the flowers that he smelled on          Queen when she asked him to be her son

It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing?

As a child he is in the courtyard playing with Queen Anne and the children of the village

Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat?

Eating is not mentioned in the novel about Thomas





What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood?

The Queen's smile when they first met.

Why is it so powerful and lasting?

It was the first time that he was excepted by beings like himself

Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where is she going?

Thomas visits the area outside the mote to mentally communicate with the aliens

Who will she be with?

He goes alone



Character Questionnaire 1

Aliens

• What is your character’s name?

Otec

Does the character have a nickname?

Commander

• What is your character’s hair color?

No hair

Eye color?

Black

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

His face is triangular shaped, large bulging black eyes, no lips just a slit to speak, two little holes in the area that the nose should be, little holes where we have ears

• Does your character have a birthmark?

No

Where is it? n/a

What about scars?

no

How did he get them?

N/A

Who are your character’s friends and family?

William and Thomas and his ship crew

Who does she surround herself with?

His ship crew

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Ship crew

Who does he wish he were closest to?

Human race

• Where was your character born?

zora

Where has she lived since then?

After he was grown he was in a space ship observing Earth

Where does he call home?

Above Kingdom of Salaamamata

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

Not known

         What is her biggest fear?

That humans will go extinct

Who has he told this to?

William

Who would he never tell this to?

Human race

Why?

Would be afraid of him and his kind

• Does she have a secret?

He knows how man will destroy himself in time

                   • When has your character been in love?

unknown

         

Then dig deeper by asking more unconventional questions:

disscribe the ship?

Discribe his home planet?

Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat? 

unknown

What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood?

Seeing Earth for the first time from a far.

Why is it so powerful and lasting?

HE THOUGHT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL





Character Questionnaire 1



• What is your character’s name?

Jade

• What is your character’s hair color?

Long straight black hair

Eye color?

Dark brown

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

High cheek bones

• Does your character have a birthmark?

None

What about scars?

Round wrists

How did he get them?

Rope burn when she was first captured

Who are your character’s friends and family?

Queen Anne, William, Thomas, Arabella, and son

Who does she surround herself with?

Queen Anne and servants

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Queen Anne

Who does he wish he were closest to?

Arabelle

• Where was your character born?

Tamara Village

Where has she lived since then?

Queen Anne's castle

Where does she call home?

Queen Anne's Castle

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

Cent agog



         What is her biggest fear?

Loosing queen Anne

Who has she told this to?

No one

         





Character Questionnaire 1



• What is your character’s name?

Princess Arebella

Does the character have a nickname?

Princess

• What is your character’s hair color? Sandy always worn up and covered

Eye color? hazel

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

Beauty mole

• Does your character have a birthmark?

none

Who are your character’s friends and family?

King Sed of

Who does she surround herself with?

servants

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Was Thomas and Queen Anne

Who does she wish she were closest to?

Queen Anne

• Where was your character born?

Kingdom Leynitice

Where has she lived since then?

Queen Anne's castle

Where does she call home?

Kingdom of Salaamamata

• Where does your character go when he’s angry?

Her room to write in her journal

         What is her biggest fear?

Is of what her son maybe

Who has she told this to?

Thomas and Anne



  • Does she have a secret?

She plans the death of her son

                   • When has your character been in love?

Thomas

         Had a broken heart?

When King Thomas stopped her from killing her son

Then dig deeper by asking more unconventional questions:

her room?

An extravagant bed, windows around the room, a journal under her bed

When your character thinks of her childhood kitchen, what smell does she associate with it?

Peach pie

         Why is that smell so resonant for her?

         She used to sit in the kitchen playing while they          were being made          

         

Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat?

hens eggs

pulses, onions, garlic and olives

fish

bread (made from barley or, if you could afford it, wheat)

goats cheese

roasted hare, peacocks eggs or iris bulbs in vinegar.

fruit such as raisins, apricots, figs, apples, pears and pomegranates.

Wine was also a popular drink



Character Questionnaire 1



• What is your character’s name?

Prince Yechiel

Does the character have a nickname?

Royal monster

• What is your character’s hair color?

Red

Eye color?

Bulging black piercing oval eyes

• What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?

His face is triangular shaped, large bulging black eyes, no lips just a slit to speak, two little holes in the area that the nose should be, little holes where we have ears

• Does your character have a birthmark?

Collection of freckles like Thomas'



Where is it?

On his forehead

Who are your character’s friends and family?

Queen Anne, Jade, Thomas

Who does she surround herself with?

He is a loner

Who are the people your character is closest to?

Queen Anne, King Thomas, Jade

Who does he wish he were closest to?

Arabella

• Where was your character born?

The castle

Where has she lived since then?

The castle walls

Where does she call home?

Kingdom of Salaamamata

         What is her biggest fear?

         His mother will kill him

Who has he told this to?

Jade

Who would she never tell this to?

Arabella

Why?

He doesn't want to know that it is true

• Does she have a secret?

He hides his looks and powers from everyone

         • What makes your character laugh out loud?

Playing with Jade and Anne

         • When has your character been in love?

Too young

          Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat?

Princess Arabella is made to nurse him





What does she wear?

Cloak and mask