Creating Detailed Characters!

Let's say you're creating a detailed character for one of your stories. You have the information, but don't know how to organize it! Face it, when you're dying to write something, it's easy to get all your details mixed up.

Or perhaps you're trying to come up with the information, but don't know what you should focus on. Detailed characters need to be DETAILED. Wherever do you start?

This is where a detailed character profile comes in. These useful outlines can help you easily keep track of your character's numerous traits and quirks. Just print one out, plug in the information, and you've got your very own detailed character bio. Presto!

For an example of a detailed character profile in progress, check here: "Damien Detailed Character Profile" 

For a complete list of traits without all the extraneous information, here you go!

(Some of this list was adapted from The Complete Guide To Writing Fiction & Nonfiction: & Getting It Published (2nd ed.) by Pat Kubis & Bob Howland.)

* * * * *

IN-DEPTH CHARACTER PROFILE

BASIC INFORMATION

Name:
Sex:
Birthdate:
Birthplace:
Height:
Weight:
Eyes:
Hair:
Ethnic Background:
Marital Status:
Address:
Phone Number:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Nickname:
Religion/Religious Background:
Political Affiliation:
Social Class:
Education:
Date Graduated:
Major:
Name Of School:
Where:
Residence (Type):
City/Country Background:
Describe Furnishings:
Children:
Health:
Physical Condition/Disabilities:
Friends:
Allies:
Enemies:
Most Significant Other(s):
Community Status:
Pets:
Languages Spoken:
Intelligence:
Sexual Orientation:
Sexual Habits:
Sexual Experience:
Type Of Friends Preferred:
Type Of Lovers Preferred:
What Hometown Was Like:
Smoker/Drinker:
Biggest Accomplishment/Best Known For:
Talents:
Hobbies/Pastimes:
Favorite Book:
Favorite Magazine:
Favorite Newspaper:
Favorite Music:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite TV Show:
Favorite Actor/Actress:
Favorite Place:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Entertainment:
Favorite Food/Diet:
Favorite Drink:
Favorite Sport:
Clothes/Accessories:
Personal Possessions/Toys:
Taste In Art, Literature, Decor:
Name Transmits First Impression To Reader:
Reason/Meaning Behind Name:

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Forehead:
Jawline:
Lips:
Mouth:
Eyebrows:
Hands:
Fingers:
Shoulders:
Limbs:
Complexion/Skin Tone:
Face:
Breasts/Chest:
Waist:
Hips:
Neck:
Ears:
Nose:
Teeth:
Feet:
Build:
Distinguishing Marks:
Posture:
Appearance:
Hair Texture:
Hairstyle:
Predominant Feature/What Noticed First:
Physical Aids?:
How They Walk:
Eye Shape:
Sensitivity To Others Demonstrated Through The Eyes:

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Father:
Profession:
Residence:
Living/Dead:
Mother:
Profession:
Residence:
Living/Dead:
Parents' Marital Status:
Brothers:
Sisters:
Home Life/Childhood Experience:
Family Relations:
Family History:

PROFESSION/OCCUPATION

Profession:
Union:
Education In Work:
Job-Related Skills:
Favorite Subjects (School):
Poorest Subjects:
Grades (School):
Quality Of Work Performed:
Reputation:
Hours Worked:
Income:
Vocation, Discover New Territories:

MILITARY SERVICE

Branch:
Nationality:
Enlisted Rank:
Highest Rank Achieved:
Service Dates:
Unit/Legion:
Served Under What Ruler:
Campaigns:
Decorations:

PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS/CHARACTER TRAITS

Morals:
Ambitions, Aspirations, Desires:
Major Traits:
Minor Traits:
Outstanding Qualities:
Character Flaws/Weaknesses:
Character Strengths:
Habitual/Favorite Expressions:
Habitual Mannerisms:
Fears, Anxieties, Hangups:
Frustrations:
Complexes:
Temperament:
Emotions:
Attitude Toward Life:
Attitude Toward Death:
Leader/Follower/Dropout:
Most Cherished Beliefs/Values:
Worst Habit:
Highest Hope:
Preoccupations, Worries:
Biggest Source Of Pride:
Biggest Source Of Shame Or Defeat:
Dialogue:
How They Talk/Speech Patterns (Diction, Tone, Speed, Pitch):
Direct Statement Of Thoughts:
Body Language/Posture:
Gestures:
Perception Of Others:
Evaluations Of Others:
Reactions To Others:
Involvement With Objects:
Attitude Toward Opposite Sex:
How They Handle Crisis:
Memories, Dreams:
How They Protect Themselves:
Public Persona:
Daily Habits:
How They Dance:
Pet Peeves:
Ways Of Dealing With Children Or Those In Inferior Positions:
Eating Habits (When, What, How):
Heroes:
Motivational Patterns/What Gets Them Going:
Landscape Observations--We Are A Product Of Where We Live:
Point Of View (Neurosis, Self-Absorbed, What Noticed First In A Room,
Perspective):
Degree Of Intensity = Pace Of Life:
Attention To Detail/Degree Of Concentration:
Confidence Factor:
Generosity:
Handicaps:
How They Treat People They Like:
How They Treat People They Dislike:
How They React When Angry/Upset:
Self-Value/How They See Themselves:
Personality Type:
How They'd Describe Themselves:
Do They See Themselves As Happy/Satisfied?:
Do They See Themselves As A Hero?:
Sense Of Humor:
Most Instructive/Meaningful Experience:
Attitude Toward Sex/Sexual Values:
Attitude Toward Religion:
Attitude Toward Politics:
Attitude Toward Authority:
Ethnic Considerations:
Attitude Toward Money:
Attitude Toward Work:
Attitude Toward Play:
Attitude Toward Their Looks:
Opinion As A Soldier/Fighter:
Feelings Toward Family:
Feelings Toward Friends:
Feelings Toward Enemies:
Secrets:
Philosophy Of Life (In A Phrase):

* * * * *

For additional help on coming up with original character names, try out this site!
http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

Or for you fantasy writers, here is a good fantasy name generator:
http://rinkworks.com/namegen/

I hope you enjoyed! :)

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