Mini-Lesson: Create a Character

Here is the list of questions I used with the Provo group to help them create a character.  We didn't make it through the list so I told them I would post it here!

Step 1- Create a fictional character and answer the following questions about him/her.

1. What is the character's name?
2. Where was s/he born and raised?
3. What is his/her religion and ethnicity?
4. Briefly (though don't get bogged down with cosmetics), what does s/he look like? Fat, thin, tall, short, muscular, flabby, gray, bald?
5. What does s/he believe in?
6. Where has s/he failed or triumphed?
7. Is s/he married, single, divorced?
8. What kind of work does s/he do? Is s/he happy or discontented with it?
9. What are his/her hobbies? Sports? TV?
10. Is s/he neat or is s/he a slob? In order to establish this on paper, you might wish to describe clothing, closet, a drawer of his/her desk, or the trunk of his/her car.
11. Can your mind picture your character making something? Can you see him/her using a simple tool, perhaps, to shape the hull of a mode clipper ship?
12. How do his/her hands behave? Relate them to the tangible things that surround him/her?
13. Is s/he musical? Is there one special instrument that s/he plays well or badly? Does s/he play it alone, for him/herself, or can s/he jam it up for an audience of friends or strangers?
14. What was his/her school and schooling like? Who was the teacher s/he respected and why?
15. What are the events, items, pets, pals that s/he remembers for years?
16. What are his/her idiosyncrasies? Odd habits? Quirks? Pet Peeves?
17. Other than memories, what are the tangible trinkets s/he saves and treasures from his/her past?
18. Is s/he witty? If so, you cannot tell your readers that s/he is instead, you must let the character show that s/he is witty.
19. How does s/he drive a car, tie a tie, gargle? Does s/he cough often, snore, hum, whistle?
20. Read the editorial page of your newspaper and choose which opinions s/he agrees with or disputes? Does s/he argue bitterly, silently, or to anyone who will listen?
21. What is his/her goals? Whom does s/he dream about, yearn for, hate?

Step 2- Once you have answered these questions, create a character sketch which incorporates answers to each of these questions. The answers need not appear in the order of the questions.

Step 3- Read your character sketch to someone. Have the person who is listening jot down unanswered questions and inconsistencies in the character as sketched.

Step 4- Use your character sketch to write a short scenario which focuses on one portion or segment of the character's life.  The vignette must contain narration and dialogue. It must include showing details which bring to life the chosen scene.  It must also convey a sense of the character by using a gesture or mannerism symbolizing one aspect of his/her personality.