PLOTSTORM 5

Okay, we discussed with my last Plotstorm post that I needed to delve deeper into my characters in order to continue plotting the book. Yesterday, I filled out some of those character worksheets I mentioned. How I format my character worksheet is I have a list of questions, then a blank beside it so I can just fill it out. Below, I will put a few of the questions I have in my character worksheets. Only a few because I have literally HUNDREDS of questions for each character. I don't always fill out every blank, just what I think will help me round him/her out and tell their story.

Like this:

• Character's name______________
• Hair color____________________hair style___________________
• Eye color and shape______________________
• Body physique/type/height/approx weight_______________________
• Greatest dream______________________________________
• Greatest fear________________________________________
• Greatest accomplishment in their eyes_____________________
• Describe their relationship with God_______________________
• Current career________________________
• Education____________________________
• Personality type_______________________
• How their friends would describe them (three words)_________________
• How they'd describe themselves (three words)______________________
• Family history___________________________
• Relationship history_______________________
• Traumatic events that have shaped them_____________________
• etc, etc, etc.

These are only a few I thought of off top of my head. You can fill your character chart out as fully or as minimally as you want. Some people cannot use charts and that's fine. Each writer has to find what works for them.

This method works for me because I am a list person.

I would like to note that I also learn about my characters as the story goes along. Once I know them strong enough to kickstart their story, they usually take over and I'm constantly surprised at some of the things they do and how they react and decisions they make.

That said, you want to be sure to keep your character "in character." Meaning, if I have a hero who can be described as "generous" then put him in a scene where someone in his life is in dire need, not a con artist, leech, loser or user (lol!), and he has the means to help but hearltessly doesn't....that would be "out of character" for him.

Okay, more another day.

Squirrel

--
www.CherylWyatt.com Gal. 2:20 Pouring my vial of words over Him.

A SOLDIER'S PROMISE~ Steeple Hill Love Inspired~ Jan. 2008

www.Scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com