A character created by the author should be known by the author better than anyone. He or she should ever detail of that character down to scars, moles and whether or not they have spinach in their teeth. Every minor thing that will make a character come alive to the reader must be taken accounted for. If the reader does not identify somehow with the character, the reader won't care what happens, and thus won't read...this is bad. Below is a suggested character worksheet in which an author can discover how much about their character they know or need to discover.
Another suggestion is to set up a mock interview with the character. Pretend you are a reporter doing a personal interview with your character. What questions would you ask your character for your newspaper or magazine for interested readers to learn more about that character?
NAME: AGE:
HEIGHT: WEIGHT:
BIRTH DATE: HAIR:
EYES: BIRTHPLACE:
OTHER FACIAL FEATURES/OTHER APPEARANCE DETAILS:
DRESS (Style, colors):
DESCRIPTION OF HOME:
DOMINANT CHARACTER TRAIT
SECONDARY CHARACTER TRAIT
(contrast with dominant) BEST FRIEND
OTHER FRIENDS
ENEMIES and WHY
FAMILY
What kind of person is character with others (name persons and describe interaction):
Sees self as:
Is seen by others as:
Sense of humor:
What makes this character angry:
Basic nature:
Ambitions & Goals:
Educational background:
Work experience:
Philosophy of life:
Habits:
Talents &/or Special Abilities:
Hobbies/pasttimes:
What trait will make character come alive?:
What will make this character likeable?
Why is character loveable?