Robin Miller begins her characterization process with a 7-section outline, which will be presented in this post, for each main character. After covering the basics in her outline, she goes into depth in her character development. Future posts in this series will cover more of Robin’s process and include characterization tips from other sources, too. You can use whatever wordprocessing, spreadsheet, or desktop publishing program you prefer to design your own character profile worksheet using Robin’s suggestions and adding your own ideas.
As you fill in these blanks, thoughts of how various characteristics can be used in your story may pop into your mind. Jot those ideas down in your writer’s notebook and then keep them together with your character’s profile, once you complete it.
Section 1 consists of the character’s physical description:
birthday/age
height
weight
color/style of hair
eye color;
scars/body markings, etc.
Section 2 delves a bit deeper and is titled “Personal traits & characteristics.” Keep your character profile worksheet handy, as these characteristics can come into play when you begin plotting the story. In this section, she includes:
Sense of humor & type
Basic nature
Ambitions
Philosophy of life
Hobbies (can be used as special skills the character may need in the story)
Music/Reading preferred
Style of dress
Favorite colors
Strongest character trait
Weakest character trait
Section 3 explores the character’s background, kind of a “character resume”:
Educational background
Current occupation
Work experience
Section 4 is where Robin lists her character’s personal possessions:
Description of home
Vehicles
Special belongings
Section 5 digs deeper, looking at plot complications:
Present problem
How it will get worse
Deepest fear
Goal
Motivation
Conflict
How the character will change (often referred to as “character arc”)
Section 6 introduces your character’s relationships:
Parents
Siblings and/or children
Best Friend
Significant Other
Enemies (and why)
Pets
Section 7 gets specific in a few more areas:
Habits
Likes
Dislikes
Annoying traits
Sees self as…
Seen by other as…
