Name: -There used to be this really awesome site that was perfect for finding good character names, but they took it down. If I ever figure out how to program that sort of thing myself, I will be sure to put it up. For now, just search the internet for some good names. For example, if your character is an archer, look up "names meaning arrow" or something like that.
Age: If you don't know a specific age, you should probably at least put down an age range. Like teen, young adult, elderly, etc.
Birth date: Not necessary, but readers tend to like this sort of extra info sometimes.
Back story: This is the story that happened before the story begins. You know, this what you'll refer to when your character is having all those flash backs to their horrifying past when their parents were killed... well at least, that's how most stories do it anyway.
Personality: This can be just a list of words- (patient, kind, etc.) or specific actions they might take in certain situations (laughs like crazy whenever someone accidentally slips or whatnot and ends up ridiculous- no self-restraint). Here's some helpful websites:
Hobbies: If you're writing a comedy, you can make your characters really funny by giving them weird hobbies:
Fears: Readers will sympathize with your character more if they have a similar fear- or you could give them an absolutely ridiculous fear that makes them hilarious like a person with the fear of numbers sitting any a math class (no offense to anyone who has Arithmophobia).
I suppose diseases work here too:
Faults: Humans aren't perfect, so unless your character isn't human, you should give them a couple of faults. Unfortunately, this isn't really my area of expertise, so I only have a list of some bad habbits/annoying mannerisms.
Looks: Looks are important. If you have any drawing capability whatsoever, I would suggest you at least make a quick sketch of what you want them to look like. If not, go online and look for some images with certain aspects that you want, and then write down exactly what they look like. You might also add what their voice sounds like here too.
Race/Species: Sometimes you just gotta add an elf. But then is it a Night Elf, a Shadow Elf? A little elf that lives in a tree and bakes cookies? Mmmm.... cookies....
Occupation: Perhaps a boring businessman, or a lively blacksmith, or a pirate, a librarian, a waitress, a school teacher, a student, unemployed, etc. Whatever they do to make money - or not.
Special abilities/talents: If you're writing fantasy or sci-fi, you should use special abilities. This is where you say if they can shoot a ball of flame or swing a sword or shoot really far. If it's a genre that doesn't require magical capabilities, then use talents. Sings really well, skates really fast, can write a bestseller in one week, etc.
Home: This is more important when your character isn't on earth, or if he travels around a lot. Otherwise, it isn't really necessary.
Other: This is where anything that doesn't really fall into any of the other categories goes.
And to make it easier if you want to just copy and past it and fill it in without having to delete all of my writing, here you go!
Name:
Age:
Birth date:
Back story:
Personality:
Hobbies:
Fears:
Faults:
Looks:
Race/Species:
Occupation:
Special abilities/Talents:
Home:
Other:
Also, as a side note, I am not the one in charge of the listed websites. If any of the links stop working, let me know and I will gladly figure out a knew one. Though, hopefully by then I'll have my own lists anyway.
Happy writing!
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