Below is a charcter Analysis form. Believe me, Writing a fictional work, especially a long one, involes a great deal of planning. Here is one tool to help flesh out characters. In addition, as you get deeper into your work, you tend to forget details, and this will help you keep track.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTER CHART
Novel Title___________________________________
MAJOR /MINOR CHARACTERS
Character Name_________________________ Sex___________Age___
Birth Date__________________________________________
Birthplace___________________Nationality____________
Religion______________________________
Languages spoken__________________________________________________
Political persuasion__________________________________________________
Class in Society: Lower_____________Middle______________Upper__________
Morals___________________________________________________________
Ambitions_________________________________________________________
Education
High school______________________Where____________________________
College__________________________Where____________________________
Major____________________________
Post-Graduate Work___________________________Where_________________
Degrees__________________________________________________________
FAMILY:
Married___________Divorced___________Single__________________
Father_________________Profession__________________
Living _________ Dead_________________
Mother_________________Profession__________________
Living_________ Dead________________
Parents: Divorced___________________________________________________
Parents Happily Married______________________________________________
Brothers(#&Names)_________________________________________________
Sisters____________________________________________________________
Home Life_________________________________________________________
Interesting Information Regarding Family_________________________________
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Height_______Weight_________Eyes_____________Hair________________
Forehead________Jawline________________Lips______________
Mouth___________Eyebrows___________Hands______________________
Fingers___________________Shoulders____________________
Limbs_________________________
Complexion___________________Face________________
Breasts/Chest_________________________Waist____________________
Hips___________________Neck____________________Ears_______________
Nose__________________________Teeth__________________________
Type of Body______________________________________________________
Any Birthmarks or Scars______________________________________________
Posture_____________________________________
Appearance________________________________________________________
OCCUPATION/PROFESSION
Profession____________________________Union Worker__________________
Quality of Work Performed____________________________
Reputation__________________________Hours Worked___________________
Income_______________________________
Other Type Work___________________________________________________
MILITARY SERVICE
Branch__________________________
Enlisted Rank_________________Highest Rank Achieved__________________
Service Dates______________________________________________________
Unit or Region______________________________________________________
Served under what Commander_________________________________________
Campaigns_________________________________________________________
Decorations if Applicable_____________________________________________
Official Opinion of Protagonist as soldier__________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER-TRAIT ANALYSIS
Major Traits_____________________________________________________ __
Minor Traits _______________________________________________________
Outstanding Qualities________________________________________________
Inferior Qualities____________________________________________________
Other Qualities______________________________________________________
Habitual Expressions_________________________________________________
Other Expressions___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Habitual Mannerisms________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Fears__________________________________________
Frustrations_______________________________________________________
Temperament_______________________________________________________
Emotions__________________________________________________________
Attitude Toward Life_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Leader__________________________Follower___________________________
Dropout_____________________________
Notes:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hobbies or favorite Pastimes___________________________________________
Favorite Books_____________________________________________________
Favorite Magazines__________________________________________________
Favorite Newspapers________________________________________________
_
Favorite CD’s______________________________________________________
Taste in Jewelry____________________________________________________
Favorite Colors_____________________________________________________
Selection of men ____________________________________________________
Selection of Women_________________________________________________
Favorite Entertainment_______________________________________________
Favorite Foods: ____________________________________________________
Favorite Drinks_____________________________________________________
Favorite Clothes____________________________________________________
House(type)_______________________________________________________
Background:
City_____________________________________________________________
Country __________________________________________________________
Describe Home furnishings (use colors & Materials)_________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Mother Vehicles____________________________________________________
Public Life_________________________________________________________
Private Life________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Secret Life_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
NOTES AND COMMENTS:
