Character Development Worksheet

Character's Full Name:
Date:

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Name origin:
Nickname, if any:
Does s/he like the nickname:
Birth date:
Place of birth:
Ethnic backgrounds:
Religion:
Degree of religious practice, if any:
Current address:
Does s/he rent or own - apartment/home/trailer:
Brief description of home:
Does s/he live with anyone?
Describe the area where s/he lives - big city, town, rural, other:
Home decor - expensive? inexpensive? carefully planned? comfortable? neat? cluttered?
When someone walks in, what's his/her first impression?
Does s/he have pets? What kind? How many?
How important are the pets to this person?
Current occupation:
Income level: paycheck-to-paycheck, deep in debt, criminal activity?
Education:
What type of car do they drive? Make/model/color/age/etc..
Marital status: with whom, how long?
Faithful?
Pet names for current spouse/partner?
How did they meet?
Any children?
Relationship with child/ren?
Likes / dislikes? Food, drink, color, book, films?
Goals: Short term? Long term?
What or who is stopping him/her from attaining their goals?

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:
Height:
Weight:
What is his/her body type?
Eye color:
Does s/he wear contacts? Glasses? Hearing aid?
Skin tone:
Any prominent features: freckles/moles/scars/tattoos:
Face shape:
General health: any chronic conditions or health problems?
Style of clothing: expensive, average, shabby
Any special jewelry: meaning of piece?
Hair style: long/short/crewcut/bangs? Thick, thin, wiry, smooth, wavy, curly?
Grooming: average, clean but sloppy, unkempt, every hair in place?
Hair color:
Addictions: Smoker? Drugs? Gambling habit?
Skills or talents?
Hobbies?

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE:
Pace - fast, average, slow?
Voice tone: shrill, deep, squeaky, hoarse?
Favorite words, phrases, or curse words?
Speech pattern: educated, precise, pretentious, average, childish, etc?
Mannerisms/demeanor: cool/confident, volatile/moody, nervous/fidgety/shy?
Typical posture:
Gestures: clenched fists, finger drumming, hands in pockets, etc?

EVERYDAY BEHAVIOR / HABITS:
Morning routine:
Afternoon / workday routine:
Evening routine:
Where do they have their meals? With whom?
Bedtime routine:

THE PAST:
Home town (grew up):
Childhood friends?
Type of childhood: happy, troubled, dull, abusive?
Most significant childhood memory?
Happiest memories / Saddest memories?
How much schooling did they get: finish high school / college?
Significant past jobs:
Police record? For what?
Convicted? Time served?
Major accidents / trauma?
Major secrets?

FAMILY ORIGIN:
Mother's maiden name:
Mother's current status: living/deceased?
Mother's occupation:
Mother's relationship with character:
Same questions for Father:
Siblings? Natural, or foster/step?
Step-parents / Foster parents?
Nieces/Nephews?
In-Laws? Relationship?
Grandparents? Relationship?