Character Development and Questionnaires - Taken from the NaNo Prep 101 - Week 2 - Character Questionnaire google doc provided by NaNoWriMo. Check it out by following the link in the comments.

When you've got something going and want to share, or simply want to discuss the process, click through to the next chapter and let us know! We'd love to share your journey.

Complete this section for all your important characters, starting with the protagonist. You may want to copy and paste the questions for as many characters as you answer them for, or just add the character's name next to their answers.

Name

Age

Height

Eye Color

Physical Appearance

Strange or unique physical attributes

Favorite clothing style/outfit?

Where do they live? What is it like there?

Defining gestures/movements (i.e., curling their lip when they speak, always keeping their eyes on the ground, etc.):

Things about their appearance they would most like to change:

Speaking style (fast, talkative, monotone, etc.):

Pet peeves:

Fondest memory:

Hobbies/interests:

Special skills/abilities:

Insecurities:

Quirks/eccentricities:

Temperament (easy-going, easily angered, etc.):

Negative traits:

Things that upset them:

Things that embarrass them:

This character is highly opinionated about:

Any phobias?

Things that make them happy:

Family (describe):

Deepest, darkest secret:

Reason they kept this secret for so long:

Other people's opinions of this character (What do people like about this character? What do they dislike about this character?):

Favorite bands/songs/type of music:

Favorite movies:

Favorite TV shows:

Favorite books:

Favorite foods:

Favorite sports/sports teams:

Political views:

Religion/philosophy of life:

Physical health:

Dream vacation:

Description of their home:

Description of where they sleep:

Any pets?

Best thing that has ever happened to this character:

Worst thing that has ever happened to this character:

Superstitions:

Three words to describe this character:

If a song played every time this character walked into the room, what song would it be?

Complete this just for your supporting characters.

How do they know the protagonist?

What do they love about the protagonist?

Do they disagree with the protagonist about anything?

Similarities to protagonist:

Differences from protagonist:

Complete this just for your antagonist. If you don't have a physical antagonist, make up four other questions to answer about the challenge your hero is facing.

Why are they getting in the way of your protagonist?

How do they feel about the protagonist? Why?

Do they have any likable qualities, or are they just plain evil?

Do they have any secret weaknesses?

Abstract antagonists.

What is your abstract antagonist? Is it a disease like cancer, a social illness like poverty, or something larger than life, like grief?

How is this antagonist affecting the protagonist?

Do other characters notice? How does this antagonist affect the other people in your novel?

And don't forget: The Three Big Character Questions

What does your main character want more than anything in the world?

What do they need to grow as a person (not necessarily the same thing as what they want)?

What major flaws (internal problems) and obstacles (external problems) will stand in their way?

Also, just a note: It's totally normal to not have a sense of who the heck your characters are until after you finish writing your first draft. So don't worry if you feel like you don't have a hold of your characters yet, or if they start changing on you as you write. That's part of the process!

More Support! If you want more character development help, try watching:

https://youtu.be/vs4uhPDEA7s