Want to help support the author?
Are you having trouble pinning down your characters? Feel like you don’t know them all as fully as you’d like? Struggling to keep track of eye colors and heights? I’ve got you covered.
I believe it’s vital to know details about every single character you write. Major and minor. If they appear in more than one scene, they get a column in my character charts. At the very least, all of your major players should have backgrounds, goals, and motivations. The more carefully you fill this chart out – taking the time to think about conflicts, the emotional implications of your choices, etc. – the stronger your characters will be for it in the end.
Flaws make characters relatable. Soft spots make them endearing. Their identity and motivations make them real. Tweak as desired. And as always, feel free to ask questions in the comments!
PS- Like my fake info? Feel free to take it. I don’t write romance, and I certainly wouldn’t write romance about a man who owns a Greek restaurant. It’s all yours. To clear my example information, simply highlight the cells you want to empty and push “delete” (not “backspace”).
View the full list of available organizational documents.
All documents are © Annie Neugebauer. These documents are intended for personal use only. Copyright applies. Please ask permission for anything other than personal record-keeping. If you’d like to share these with writers you know, please send them the link so they come visit me here. Thank you all so much for your support!
Share this:
Thank you for the Templates. I’m sure they will be put to good use. Leora
You’re welcome! Thanks Leora.
thnk u thnk u thnk u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kindly thank you for the template. Hopefully this will rejuvinate my Characters as well as the story. Thank you, again.
My pleasure! Best of luck!
I really like the details of the template it helps to put words to many of my chaotic ideas.
These are great templates. I made a file for each of my characters, but I’m going to get this to put them in and print out so I can have it handy as I write. Thanks
Awesome! I like to do that too. 🙂 Good luck!
Pingback: How to Start Writing | ECooperWriter.com
Pingback: Whats In A Name | ECooperWriter.com
I love this template! The one I used when writing my book was overwhelming. This template has everything I need.
I’m happy to hear it! Thanks for letting me know, and good luck with your book!
great help in keeping my story straight. thanks alot for your help
Pingback: Whats In A Name - Intentional Family Life
Pingback: How to Start Writing - Intentional Family Life
Thank u Annie. it will be better if u add a picture in this template
Than you so very much! I have an idea stuck in my head and I think your templates will be a great help…
Thanks a lot Annie. These worksheets are more than helpful.
My pleasure! I’m so glad.
Thank you for the templates. I’ve started a memoir about my journey with my husband and his brain surgery. I want to write other on other subjects as well. So your templates will really help. Thanks again! Cheryl (Sherry)
It’s my pleasure! Good luck with your memoir!
Thanks so much!
Thanks. One of the main reasons I have failed to continue my novel beyond 30 pages in 15 years is my fear of character development. How do I write characters that are compelling and interesting enough to draw the reader into the story? Why do they even care about my characters? I’m hoping your template will help me to overcome this fear and I can finish my first great American novel. If I’m able to use your template as an inspiration to complete my novel – you will be handsomely rewarded by me. That is a promise. Thanks again, William Pratt, 11/05/2015.
I hope it helps; good luck!
This really helps in understanding the way to express the ideas in a very systematical approach.
Pingback: Building 3-dimensional characters - Patty Wiseman
Thanks for this and another worksheet i downloaded. I have a feeling they are going to really help. Sasha
Pingback: Ultimate Cheat Sheet of Writing Worksheets & Templates - Literary Jam & Toast
Pingback: Ultimate Cheat Sheet of Writing Worksheets & Templates – Mia Hayson