I know I have seen a lot of people complain about one-sided, flat characters with no depth. *cough myself included cough
So, I scoured the internet and took bits and pieces from a few different character sheets to give writers a starting point for developing their characters.
Long List. Be prepared!
Full Name: (Self-explanatory)
Pronunciation: (Self-explanatory)
Nickname/Alias: (Does your character have a pet name, fake identity, or any other thing they like to go by? Put it here.)
Meaning: ([Ex: Emily means âadmiringâ and William means âprotectorâ] If you arenât sure your characterâs name has a meaning look it up, Iâm sure youâll find something. If itâs a fantasy name you made yourself, give it a meaning.)
Origin: (How did you come up with your characterâs name?)
Title: (Do have a title along with their name? [Ex: Sir, Captain, Ms.])
Pet Name: (What do other people call your character? [kid, squirt, babe, ect] May be insulting, endearing, or a combination of both. May have more than one if other characters call them different things.)
Signature: (What is their handwriting like?)
Gender: (Self-explanatory)
Gender Role: (Does your character generally act more feminine or masculine?)
Orientation: (Ex: Straight, Bisexual, Homosexual)
Real Age: (How old your character is in years)
Age Appearance: (How old does your character look? This is mostly for immortal creatures such as deities, but can be used with anybody. [if someone looks older or younger than their age)
Birthday: (Self-explanatory)
Deathday: (May not have one yet)
Birthplace: (Where was your character born?)
Astrological Sign: (Western)
Zodiac Sign: (Eastern)
Immediate Family: (Who was your character raised by?)
Distant Family: (The ones they donât see every day)
Parenting: (Were their parents strict or fun-loving?)
Upbringing: (What morals and ideals were your characters raised with?)
Infancy: ([0-2] What was it like when your character was a baby?)
Childhood: ([3-12] What was it like for your character growing as a kid ?)
Adolescence: ([13-17] Teen years)
Coming of Age: (When and how did your character âgrow upâ?)
Evolution: (How has your character changed since they were younger?)
Species: (Human, animal, or a fantasy race)
Ethnicity: (Self-explanatory)
Preferred Hand: (Right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous?)
Facial Type: (Ex: Oval, heart, square, round, )
Eye Color: (Self-explanatory)
Hair Color (Self Explanatory)
Hairstyle: (Self-explanatory)
Skin Tone: (Self-explanatory)
Complexion: (Self-explanatory)
Body Type:
Build: (Long legs, chubby cheeks, or muscular arms?)
Height: (In inches)
Weight: (In pounds)
Facial Hair: (If applicable)
Birthmarks/scars: (Self-explanatory)
Distinguishing Features: (Something unique that stands out)
Health: (How healthy is your character?)
Energy: (How much energy does your character have daily?)
Memory: (How well does your character remember things, and what do they remember?)
Senses: (Are any of your characterâs senses better or worse than others?)
Handicaps: ([Ex: A limp, deafness, missing an eye] May be optional.)
Phobias: (Things that simply terrify your character. May be trivial or debilitating. Try to have at least one.)
Addictions: (Drugs, alcohol, gambling, or bad teen romance)
Mental Disorders: ([Ex: Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Paranoia.] May be optional.)
Style: (The overall style your character shows, not just limited to clothing. Ex: Punk, Goth, Nerd)
Grooming: (Well-kept or messy?)
Coordination: (How physically fit is your character? Also add things like reflexes, etc.)
Habits and Mannerisms: (Any nervous ticks or unconscious habits your character might have. Ex: Nail biting, crosses arms, or twirls hair)
Mood: (What mood are you most likely to catch your character in?)
Attitude: (How does your character interact with others?)
Stability: (How emotionally consistent are they?)
Expressiveness: (Do they hide emotion or let it out openly?)
When Happy: (Ex: Whistles, sings, skips)
When Depressed: (Ex: locks themself in their room, listens to music, hugs a stuffed animal)
When Angry: (Ex: Punches walls, screams at people, trolls online)
Note: These are generalizations. Different situations will create different reactions.
Current Residence: (Where does your character live right now? May or may not include a geographical location)
Community: (What does the general population act like where your character lives?)
Family: ([Ex: Parents, children, siblings] Include stepfamilies if it applies, and label as such.)
Friends: (Who does your character like to hang out with?)
Enemies: (Who does your character despise?)
Bosses: (Who does your character answer to)
Followers: (Who answers to your character?)
Heroes: (Who does your character look up to?)
Rivals: (Who are they competing with?)
Relates to: (Who is similar to your character?)
Wardrobe: (Describe your characterâs closet. What is their formal, casual, or other kinds of wear?)
Equipment: (Refers to tools or weapons your character may use. [Ex: A sword for a warrior]
Accessories: (Tattoos, piercing, jewelry, glasses, etc.)
Trinkets: (Applies to but not limited to good luck charms, purses, watches, or any other items they carry with them almost all the time.)
Funds: (How much cash does your character have on hand, and how much at home/in the bank?)
Home: (What is your characterâs house like? Describe itâs overall appearance, [Ex: Shabby, fancy] type of house, [Trailer, mansion] and describe things such as the yard, wallpaper, or any other information.)
Neighborhood: (What are the people and places near your character like?)
Transportation: (How does your character get around? [Ex: Car, bus, bike])
Collections: (Does your character like to hoard or collect anything?)
Most valuable possession: (worth money)
Prized Possession: (What object does your character value above all else?)
Lovers: (From childhood crushes to exes, to a married partner, who does your character love?)
Marital Status: (Ex: Single, Taken, Dating, Available)
Turn-Ons: (What does your character want to see in their ideal mate?)
Turn Offs: (What tends to make them back off)
Occupation: (Self-explanatory)
Work Ethnic: (How hard does your character work? How do they feel about their job?)
Rank: (How high up are they on the corporate ladder?)
Income: (How much money do they make?)
Wealth Status: (How well-financed is your character? Ex: Upper, middle, or lower class)
Experience: (Include things like pasts jobs, or things that contributed to current occupation.)
Organizations/Affiliations: (Who does your character side with?)
IQ: (Self-explanatory)
Education: (How good is their education?)
School: (What was their school like?)
Grade: (What grade are you in?)
Social Stereotype: (ex: nerd, goth, punk)
Degrees: (What degrees did/would they earn in school?)
Intelligence: (Linguistic/logical/spatial/kinesthetic/musical/interpersonal/intrapersonal/naturalist)
Religion: (Self-explanatory)
Morals: (What does your character find morally right or wrong?)
Crime Record: (Relationship with authority, laws broken, and crimes committed.)
Motivation: (What moves your character? [Ex: Power, money, love)]
Priorities: (What does your character place first, second, and third?)
Philosophy: (Your characterâs outlook on life)
Etiquette: (How good our your characters manners? Do they bow or chew with their mouth open?)
Culture: (Any things your character may do specifically to a certain culture. [Ex: Bowing in Japan] Do your research on this one or you could offend people. )
Influences: (Who or what inspires your character to change? Do they influence anyone else?)
Relates to: (Who can your character relate to?)
Traditions: (Does your character sit around the table with their family? What holidays do they celebrate?)
Superstitions: (spilling salt, knocking on wood)
Main Goal: (Driving force in the story. May be subject to change.)
Minor Goals/Ambitions: (What is your character trying to accomplish?)
Career: (What would be your characterâs dream job?)
Desires: (What does your character want?)
Greatest Achievement: (Self-explanatory)
Biggest Failure: (Self-explanatory)
Secrets: (Everyone has at least one)
Regrets: (Self-explanatory)
Worries: (What do they worry about?)
Best Dream: (What would be the best thing that could possibly happen to your character?)
Worst Nightmare: (The worst thing that could ever happen?)
Best Memories: (A few stand out memories from the past. [keep it short and sweet])
Worst Memories: (A few stand out memories from the past. [keep it short and sweet])
Hobbies/Interests: (What does your character like to do for fun?)
Skills/Talents: (Similar to hobbies, but refers to the level of skill a character has. For example, a character could like playing violin but isnât very good at it or vice versa.)
Likes: (What does your character like?)
Dislikes: (What canât they stand?)
Sense of Humor: (Dark/dry/witty/sarcastic/dirty/childish/sophisticated/ironic)
Pet Peeves: (Similar to dislikes, only more relating to human behavior than specific objects.)
Superstitions/Beliefs: (Does your character believe in conspiracy theories or aliens? Do they throw salt over their shoulder or knock on wood?)
Dreams/Nightmares: (What do they dream about? [at night])
Quirks: (The strange little things that your character does to make them unique. Ex: Sleeps with their feet on the pillow or runs their hand along a pole as they walk beside it.)
Savvy: (What is your character particularly well-informed of? [Ex: Politically, nature)
Closet Hobby: (Something that your character likes but isnât too obvious.)
Strengths: (What makes them stand a bit above the crowd? [Ex: Courageous, good listener, calm under pressure] Not supernatural abilities.)
Flaws: (Refers to negative personality traits, not a weakness. Make sure itâs a deep flaw that could actually affect your character, not something trivial like âShe canât danceâ. [Ex: Lies constantly, socially backward, hot-tempered])
Perception: (How does your character generally see the world?)
Conflicts: (What issues make your character want two things, but they canât have both?)
Instincts: (What they are unconsciously driven to do)
Lures: (What are they inexplicably drawn to be near? Ex: Power, money, the helpless)
Soft Spot: (Their vulnerability, what they feel sorry for or have particularly good feelings toward)
Cruel Streak: (What makes a character act against their usual morals, and act especially mean? (everyone has something that can do this to them))
Favorite Colors:
Favorite Foods:
Favorite Drinks:
Favorite Genre:
Favorite Books:
Favorite Music:
Favorite Bands:
Favorite Sports:
Favorite Subjects:
Favorite Words:
Favorite Quotations: (Can be lengthy and philosophical or just simple clichés such as "Every dog has his day)
Least Favorite Foods:
Least Favorite Drinks:
Least Favorite Genre:
Least Favorite Books:
Least Favorite Movies:
Least Favorite Music:
Least Favorite Sports:
Least Favorite Subjects:
Least Favorite Quotations: (Can be lengthy and philosophical or just simple clichés such as "Every dog has his day)
Languages: (What languages does your character speak and how fluently?)
Accent: (Self-explanatory)
Voice: (High pitched, low pitched)
Speech Impediments: (Stutters, slurs, or whistles)
Greetings and Farewells: (How does your character say hello and goodbye?)
State of Mind: (Ask your character âhow are youâ and see how they respond)
Compliment: (Have your character say something nice)
Insult: (Have your character insult someone)
Expletive: (Can be an actual cuss (Ex: Dammit) or some kind of substitute. (Ex: Darn it!)
Tag Line: (Something your character says a lot in everyday sentences. Can often be filled with a sound or vocalization. Ex: Lol, dude, uh)
Signature Quote: (Something significant your character says. Doesnât have to be meaningful, just make it memorable.)
Reputation: (What does the general population think of your character?)
First Impressions: (What would you first think of this character upon meeting them?)
Stranger Impressions: (If someone was told about the character but didnât know them, what would they think?)
Friendly Impressions: (What do people who are friends or acquaintances of your character think of them?)
Enemy Impressions: (What do people who canât stand your character think? If you canât think of anyone who hates your character, we have a problem.)
Familiar Impressions: (What do people very close to your character think of them? Ex: Family, lovers)
Compliments: (What are some good things other people would say of your character? [heroic, good listener])
Insults: (Would anyone like to call your character a whore, jerk, or stupid?)
Self-Impression: (What does your character really think of themselves deep down?)
Enneagram: (The Reformer/The Helper/The Achiever/The Individualist/The Investigator/The Loyalist/The Enthusiast/The Challenger/The Peacemaker)
The Self: (The center/core of your character)
The Shadow: (The opposite qualities your character themselves does not believe they possess, but do subconsciously)
Role: (What purpose does your character serve? [mentor, leader])
Fulfillment: (How well do they serve that role?)
Significance: (Why does your character matter?)
Alignment: (Good/Evil/Neutral/Lawful/Chaotic)
Song: (A song you think best suits your character)
Vice: (Pride/Greed/Gluttony/Lust/Envy/Sloth/Wrath)
Virtue: (Patience/Diligence/Chastity/Temperance/Charity/Kindness/Humility)
One Word: (Use a single adjective to sum up your character in a nutshell)
Really hope that this helps people. 
!
That will be good for all readers!
Didnât think there were so many questions that could better shape characters and there they are haha. Thank you for sharing!
I usually go with my own, but I still donât feel like the questions âclickâ enough. Hopefully thisâll help me not get confused about charactersâ decisions.
These surpass even my own though. Nice⊠
lol