29 Essential Questions for Character Development

I love creating fictional people. That's what pulled me into storytelling in the first place: grabbing someone imaginary and throwing them into an awful imaginary conflict. Seeing how they roll with it. Seeing what, perhaps who, they lost or gained. And, being an actor, it's become my job to search for new ways to delve into a new character.

The process, for me, is always grueling but exciting.

Here is a comprehensive list of the process I go through when I am handed a new character for a staged play or musical, and which I also use when creating new literary characters.

29 Essential Questions on Character Development

1. Does your MC prefer to go by his or her full name, a nickname, or a pseudonym?
2. Are they a leader or a follower?
3. Explain one thing your MC feels very strongly about.
4. Are they respectful to others beliefs, be it religious, political, etc.?
5. Is your MC in a relationship? What is the nature of their relationship? Why are they in a relationship with this person?
6. Describe your MC's relationship with his or her parental guardians.
7. Describe your MC's family life and how it has affected them physically, mentally, and socially.
8. Who does your MC most want to impress?
9. What kind of education did they have? Are they satisfied with where it's gotten them?
10. What are they best at? Is it what they love to do most?
11. Do they like their job? Their living situation? Would they rather be somewhere else? (If so, where?)
12. What are their pet peeves?
13. How do they feel about surprises?
14. What was your MC's childhood dream job?
15. What does your MC smell like?
16. What kind of man or woman are they attracted to? (Or "boy or girl" for the young MCs out there.)
17. Describe your MC's ideal date: where, when, and with whom?
18. First kisses. Do they think back on it with embarrassment or nostalgia? Describe your MC's ideal first kiss if they haven't experienced theirs yet.
19. What is your MC's greatest source of shame? Source of pride?
20. In what era would your character rather be born, if given the choice?
21. Are they proud of their physical scars? Do they hide them or show them off?
22. How has their diet, exercise habits, family history, and medical history affected their weight and height?
23. Describe your MC's go-to grocery list.
24. Your character finds a magical lamp, from which a genie appears and tells your MC that he or she has been granted one wish. What is the first thing that comes to his or her mind? Would they wish for it after all? Why or why not?
25. Do the ends justify the means to your MC?
26. What terrifies them?
27. What does your MC feel about the death penalty?
28. Describe your MC as an elderly man or woman.
29. How would they like to die?

You still alive over there? Good.

I do hope this list helps someone out there who's having trouble with character development. If it does, make sure to drop a comment! I love discussing these kind of things with fellow writers.

Have a great start to your week!