Character Outline Questions

Basic Character Questions

• First name?

• Surname?

• Middle names?

• Nicknames?

• Date of birth?

• Age?

 

Physical / Appearance

• Height?

• Weight?

• Build?

• Hair colour?

• Hair style?

• Eye colour?

• Eye Shape?

• Glasses or contact lenses?

• Distinguishing facial features? 

• Which facial feature is most prominent?

• Which bodily feature is most prominent?

• Other distinguishing features?

• Skin?

• Hands?

• Make up?

• Scars?

• Birthmarks?

• Tattoos?

• Physical handicaps?

• Type of clothes?

• How do they wear their clothes?

• What are their feet like? (type of shoes, state of shoes, socks, feet, pristine, dirty, worn, etc)

• Race / Ethnicity?

• Mannerisms?

• Are they in good health?

• Do they have any disabilities?

 

Personality

• What words or phrases do they overuse?

• Do they have a catchphrase?

• Are they more optimistic or pessimistic?

• Are they introverted or extroverted?

• Do they ever put on airs?

• What bad habits do they have?

• What makes them laugh out loud?

• How do they display affection?

• Mental handicaps?

• How do they want to be seen by others?

• How do they see themselves?

• How are they seen by others?

• Strongest character trait?

• Weakest character trait?

• How competitive are they?

• Do they make snap judgements or take time to consider?

• How do they react to praise?

• How do they react to criticism?

• What is their greatest fear?

• What are their biggest secrets?

• What is their philosophy of life?

• When was the last time they cried?

• What haunts them?

• What are their political views?

• What will they stand up for?

• Who do they quote?

• Are they indoorsy or outdoorsy?

• What is their sinful little habit?

• What sense do they most rely on?

• How do they treat people better than them?

• How do they treat people worse than them?

• What quality do they most value in a friend?

• What do they consider an overrated virtue?

• If they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be?

• What is their obsession?

• What are their pet peeves?

• What are their idiosyncrasies?

 

Friends and Family

• Is their family big or small? Who does it consist of?

• What is their perception of family?

• Do they have siblings? Older or younger?

• Describe their best friend.

• Ideal best friend?

• Describe their other friends.

• Describe their acquaintances.

• Do they have any pets?

• Who are their natural allies?

• Who are their surprising allies?

 

Past and Future

• What was your character like as a baby? As a child?

• Did they grow up rich or poor?

• Did they grow up nurtured or neglected?

• What is the most offensive thing they ever said?

• What is their greatest achievement?

• What was their first kiss like?

• What is the worst thing they did to someone they loved?

• What are their ambitions?

• What advice would they give their younger self?

• What smells remind them of their childhood?

• What was their childhood ambition?

• What is their best childhood memory?

• What is their worst childhood memory?

• Did they have an imaginary childhood friend?

• When was the last time they were crushed with disappointment?

• What past act are they most ashamed of?

• What past act are they most proud of?

• Has anyone ever saved their life?

• Strongest childhood memory?

 

Love

• Do they believe in love at first sight?

• Are they in a relationship?

• How do they behave in a relationship?

• When did you character last have sex?

• What sort of sex do they have?

• Has your character ever been in love?

• Have they ever had their heart broken?

 

Conflict

• How do they respond to a threat?

• Are they most likely to fight with their fists or their tongue?

• What is your character’s kryptonite?

• If your character could only save one thing from their burning house, what would it be?

• How do they perceive strangers?

• What do they love to hate?

• What are their phobias?

• What is their choice of weapon?

• What living person do they most despise?

• Have they ever been bullied or teased?

• Where do they go when they’re angry?

• Who are their enemies and why?

 

Work, Education and Hobbies

• What is their current job?

• What do they think about their current job?

• What are some of their past jobs?

• What are their hobbies?

• Educational background?

• Intelligence level?

• Do they have any specialist training?

• Do they have a natural talent for something?

• Do they play a sport? Are they any good?

• What is their socioeconomic status? 

 

Favourites

• What is their favourite animal?

• Which animal to they dislike the most?

• What place would they most like to visit?

• What is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen?

• What is their favourite song?

• Music, art, reading preferred?

• What is their favourite colour?

• What is their password?

• Favourite food:

• What is their favourite work of art?

• Who is their favourite artist?

• What is their favourite day of the week?

 

Possessions

• What is in their fridge:

• What is on their bedside table?

• What is in their car?

• What is in their bin?

• What is in their purse or wallet?

• What is in their pockets?

• What is their most treasured possession?

 

Spirituality

• Who or what is your character’s guardian angel?

• Do they believe in the afterlife?

• What are their religious views?

• What do they think heaven is?

• What do they think hell is?

• Are they superstitious?

• What would they like to be reincarnated as?

• How would they like to die?

• What is your character’s spirit animal?

• What is their zodiac sign?

 

Values

• What do they think is the worst thing that can be done to a person?

• What is their view of ‘freedom’?

• When did they last lie?

• What’s their view of lying?

• When did they last make a promise?

• Did they keep or break their last promise?

 

Daily life

• What are their eating habits?

• Do they have any allergies?

• Describe their home.

• Are they minimalist or a clutter hoarder?

• What do they do first thing on a weekday morning?

• What do they do on a Sunday afternoon?

• What do they do on a Friday night?

• What is the soft drink of choice?

• What is their alcoholic drink of choice?

 

Miscellaneous

• What is their character archetype? 

• Who is their hero?

• What or who would your character dress up as for Halloween?

• Are they comfortable with technology?

• If they could save one person, who would it be?

• If they could call one person for help, who would it be?

• What is their favourite proverb?

• What is their greatest extravagance?

• What is their greatest regret?

• What is their perception of redemption?

• What would they do if they won the lottery?

• What is their favourite fairytale?

• What fairytale do they hate?

• Do they believe in happy endings?

• What is their idea of perfect happiness?

• What would they ask a fortune teller?

• If your character could travel through time, where would they go?

• What sport do they excel at?

• What sport do they suck at?

• If they could have a superpower, what would they choose?