18. “Earl Grey, hot”: Craft characters you can believe in

Homework

If you’ve paid any attention to this lesson, you know the importance of characters’ richness and depth. Clear some space in your day, ‘cause the homework for this lesson is . . . shall we say, comprehensive. When it comes to character, there’s no such thing as too much detail.

Who is your protagonist?

Open your trusty notebook or note-taking software and delineate the following about your main character:

First and last names
Precise age
Height
Hair color / straight or curly / long or short / stylish or ordinary
Always go to same barber, or cut it him/herself?
Middle name – embarrassed about it? Does it mean something?
Eye color
Foot size
Fat, thin or in-between? How so?
Confident looking in the mirror?
Care about his/her looks?
Secret physical thing proud of & ashamed of
Slob or tidy?
Clothing fashion/style? Common clothing color(s)?
Hat?
Footwear
Hand description
Personal hygiene
Parents alive?
Mother’s maiden name
Mother’s & father’s occupations
Social class
Wealth level & changes over lifetime & family’s before birth
Happy or unhappy childhood?
Favorite childhood toy
Birthplace, childhood location
Own room, or share?
Childhood bedroom wall decorations
Favorite place in the childhood home
Backyard, frontyard? Describe.
Any pets? Pet deaths?
Favorite childhood/comfort food
Successful at school academically, or struggle?
Single-sex school or mixed?
Mainly female or male friends?
Any siblings? What ages? How were the relationships?
Parents’ favorite sibling
Prefer one parent to the other?
Family: calm or lively? Creative?
Strict parents?
Suffered any abuse?
Attractive as a teenager?
Popular at school?
Best / worst subject?
Name of best friend
Age when met this friend?
Still friends?
First kiss: first & last name
Age at first kiss
Still know first kiss partner?
Age when virginity lost? Great / comic / letdown?
Age left parents’ home, destination
Any higher education?
Close to family as an adult?
Changed much since childhood?
Feelings about sex now
Political leanings
Capital punishment pro/con?
Vote history
Favorite books
Passions / hobbies
First album purchased
Social media use
First job
Spiritual beliefs & practices
Fears & phobias
Residential location & type
Own/rent?
Kitchen appearance
Culinary skills
Typical breakfast
Favorite food
Favorite drink (hot/cold)
5 things in fridge
Morning or evening person?
Fitness level & activities
Health? Diseases? Disabilities?
Medications
Sleep quality / amount
Favorite films & TV shows
Heroes
Typical evening activities
Own a car? Bike? Other vehicles?
Bed sheet color
3 adjectives a typical stranger would use to describe (first impression)
Areas lacking talent / skill
Desires for skills not possessed
Cunning or honest?
Situations for dishonesty
Punctuality / lateness
Concern level of others’ opinions (of character)
Diligence / laziness
What would this person’s recurring dream be about?
Travelled widely? Where? With family, friends, or alone?
Travel goals
Diet – vegetarian etc.
Alcohol, drug use?
Phone screensaver
Children / grandchildren / want children?
Romantic relationships: history, present
Romantic desires / goals / attitudes
Countryside or the city?
Worst failure
Greatest strength not aware of
Attitude toward money
Bank account? Amounts?
Other material wealth
Tend to live in the present, past, future?
Introvert or extrovert?
Sense of humor
Leader or follower?
Typical behavior at parties
Current friends
Sports? Play/watch? Competitive?
Musical aptitude: sing, play instrument?
Ambitious? How so?
Traits admired in others
Seasickness?
Worst habit
Quirky habits
Tan / pale / dark etc?
Attitude towards death
Ideal age of death
Shames
Attitude towards medicine, alternative medicine
Mismatch between self-perception & reality (intelligence, charm, ability, etc.)
Pajama description
Bath or shower?
Perfume / cologne / aftershave
Others’ behavior that triggers offense to be taken
Favorite charities?
Swimming ability
Wishes to be someone else?
Most embarrassing situation ever
Guilty pleasure song
Feel he/she deserves to be happy?
What causes him/her to feel vulnerable
What would you say to this character right now to make them believe in his/her future?