We love to read fascinating characters but how on earth does one consistently write intriguing personalities?

Here are tips I have picked up:

• Keep a character journal
• Use a character worksheet
• Interview your characters
• Character archetypes
• Read daily

Keep a character journal
Make it a habit to keep a notebook with you and write about the people you encounter. It’s a great way to create fascinating characters. You may even pick up a savory piece of dialog or two. I like to sit at an sidewalk café to people watch and to scribble notes. Using a notebook is less obvious then using a camera but hey, if you are inconspicuous with your cellphone, take a snap shot. Unable to visit the local coffeeshop? Try checking webcams for places like Venice beach.

I make no bones about writing down my favorite author character descriptions. I don’t steal them, I use them to learn and improve my writing. Sometimes a succulent phrase may come in handy for one of my characters. Robert Ludlum wrote great character descriptions as well as many other authors.

Use a character worksheet
Google “Character Worksheet” to find online. I use my ones I have developed after over time and will share them. I start with the basic information (Name, age, address, hair color, sex, job, etc.) in a WORD document and I look for an actor who could play the role and attach their photo. I like to look at a photo when describing my characters whenever possible, and if the book is adapted to film, studios often ask author who they envisioned playing their role.

Download my free Character Worksheet below:

Now what about using software for creating characters? There are some really good programs as well as not so good one. Two I have seen recently are The Novel Factory at https://www.novel-software.com/ and Dabble at https://www.dabblewriter.com, which have decent character worksheets. I plan to do a whole blog just on them later.

Interview your characters
Character questionnaires help cover everything from favorite music to the type of quirks they have. I usually like to write their history covering the key life events up to the time the novel begins. I find myself writing 10-15 pages for each of my main characters and often 5-10 pages for supporting characters. I specifically cover their fears, fantasies, hopes and dreams. Again, Google “Character Questionnaire” to find dozens of examples. Use what suits you.

Character archetypes
Character archetypes can be tricky. While it seems straightforward, you have to make sure you are not creating cliché characters. As explained in Dabble’s article, “How to Create Characters Your Reader’s Simp for” (https://www.dabblewriter.com/articles/how-to-create-characters-your-readers-simp-for) list the following archetypes:

• Hero – rises up to every challenge.
• Magician – seeks power.
• Lover – driven by emotion and things that make the heart happy.
• Jester- sidekick or comic relief.
• Explorer – seeks adventure and break from the humdrum.
• Sage – similar to magician but serves others.

There are more archetypes. To avoid creating cliché characters with the archetypes, think of what first comes to mind, then try writing the exact opposite. For example, when you think of a wizard, Gandalf may come to mind. Now instead of an old man with a long beard, what if your wizard is a young girl? Think of the movie Shrek. The hero of the story was a fat, ugly, green ogre, the exact opposite of a cliché hero. Take the archetypes and turn them on their head.

Read daily
My final advice is to read the best writers and the debut authors in your genre everyday. Read wide and read often to stay abreast of what is being published, and keep a journal of their characters.

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