Character+Development

How much about your characters do you really know? Small details might seem superfluous even irrelevant to the story you intend to write, but the smallest detail informs the bigger picture. The more you know about your characters, the better you’ll create believable characters who live and breathe on the page and in their own fictional world.  Take time to answer each of these questions candidly and deeply. Expand your responses to include other questions that may arise.
 * 1) What do you know about this character now that s/he doesn’t yet know? That his mistake will lead to the death of many people.
 * 2) What is this character’s greatest flaw? His lack of ability to make decisions.
 * 3) What do you know about this character that s/he would never admit? That they have little courage.
 * 4) What is this character’s greatest asset? Power is his greatest asset.
 * 5) If this character could choose a different identity, who would s/he be? Someone young with their whole life ahead of them.
 * 6) What music does this character sing to when no one else is around? Military songs.
 * 7) In what or whom does this character have the greatest faith?  His soldiers.
 * 8) What is this character’s favorite movie? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> N/A.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Does this character have a favorite article of clothing? Favorite shoes? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His military uniform.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Does this character have a vice? Name it. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Lack of confidence.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Name this character’s favorite person (living or dead). <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Hannibal.
 * 12) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s secret wish? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The ability to go back in time and change his life.
 * 13) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s proudest achievement? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His military decorations.
 * 14) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s most embarrassing moment. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Leading many of his men to their deaths.
 * 15) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s deepest regret? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">The path he chose in life.
 * 16) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s greatest fear? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Dying a man without love.
 * 17) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s most devastating moment. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His realization that becoming young again would lead to him making the same mistakes, and possibly his death.
 * 18) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s greatest achievement? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Becoming a high ranking general in the confederate army.
 * 19) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s greatest hope? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">That he can die a truly happy man.
 * 20) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Does this character have an obsession? Name it. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The "Fountain of Youth".
 * 21) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s greatest disappointment? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The fact that his search for the Fountain of Youth brought only death.
 * 22) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s worst nightmare? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Being captured and executed by the Union Army.
 * 23) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Whom does this character most wish to please? Why? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Himself, because throughout his life he has only tried to please other people.
 * 24) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s mother. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">A naive woman saddened by the loss of her husband; somewhat over-loving towards her son.
 * 25) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s father. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> A soldier w ho died in the war of 1812, shortly after leaving his pregnant wife.
 * 26) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">If s/he had to choose, with whom would this character prefer to live? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His soul mate.
 * 27) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Where does this character fall in birth order? What effect does this have? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> He is an only child, leaving him without a father or older brother to guide him.
 * 28) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s siblings or other close relatives. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Only family is mother.
 * 29) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe this character’s bedroom. Include three cherished items. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">An Indian peace-pipe given to him by an Apache chief, his case of war medals, his father's wedding ring.
 * 30) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s birth date? How does this character manifest traits of his/her astrological sign? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> March 16th, born under Aries, which is ruled by the planet Mars. Mars is named after the Greek god of war.
 * 31) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">If this character had to live in seclusion for six months, what six items would s/he bring? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Only a pistol to end his life.
 * 32) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Why is this character angry? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Because he has never found love in all his life.
 * 33) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What calms this character? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The presence of others.
 * 34) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Describe a recurring dream or nightmare this character might have. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Death knocking on his doors when he is an engaged young man with his whole life ahead of him.
 * 35) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">List the choices (not circumstances) that led this character to his/her current predicament. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The decision to join the military and follow in his father's footsteps.
 * 36) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">List the circumstances over which this character has no control.
 * 37) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What wakes this character in the middle of the night? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The sound of gunshots.
 * 38) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">How would a stranger describe this character? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Quiet, but confident.
 * 39) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What does this character resolve to do differently every morning?
 * 40) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Who depends on this character? Why? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> The men under his command, because he leads them into battle.
 * 41) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">If this character knew s/he had exactly one month to live, what would s/he do? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Frantically go on a search for love.
 * 42) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">How would a dear friend or relative describe this character? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Unsure about life, disappointed with himself.
 * 43) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character’s most noticeable physical attribute? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His striking deep brown, almost red eyes.
 * 44) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">What is this character hiding from him/herself? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> His fate.
 * 45) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;">Write one additional thing about your character. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em;"> Tends to promote his men with families more often than men without, so they will have less a chance of dying in battle.