We all know we have to learn about our characters before we can properly write them. And what better way to do that than to create a character profile you can look back on? Mine usually include name, physique, eye color, hair color, role, motivation, goal, epiphany, and loads of questions I ask my character (see below). This helps me to understand my characters better and be able to write them correctly. There are definitely writers who don't do this, but I highly recommend it.
Here are the questions I mentioned!
Name:
Age:
Height:
Eye color:
Physical appearance:
Strange or unique physical attributes:
Favorite clothing style/outfit:
Where does he or she live?
What is it like there?
Defining gestures/movements (i.e., curling his or her lip when he or she speaks, always keeping his or
her eyes on the ground, etc.):
Things about his or her appearance he or she would most like to change:
Speaking style (fast, talkative, monotone, etc.):
Pet peeves:
Fondest memory:
Hobbies/interests:
Special skills/abilities:
Insecurities:
Quirks/eccentricities:
Temperament (easygoing, easily angered, etc.):
Negative traits:
Things that upset him or her:
Things that embarrass him or her:
This character is highly opinionated about:
Any phobias?
Things that make him or her happy:
Family (describe):
Deepest, darkest secret:
Reason he or she kept this secret for so long:
