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Writing Technique: Character Interview |
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There's a technique that some writers use when it comes to development of their character. Which is to engage their character in an interview like one would read in a magazine. The most important goal of this exercise is to get to know your character more than writing your novel or story would allow.
It's a great way to challenge yourself into thinking and getting an insight into your characters and putting depth into their fantasy world. There are many writers that sometimes have problems in fleshing out a character whether it be for one of their original stories or a fanfiction, dealing with a original character or whatnot.
Either way, I have found that doing an interview helps me really get into their heads and helps going into depth with their fantasy word/lives and the characters themselves. It's pretty easy and all you have to do is pretend you are an interviewer and your character for what ever reason is being interviewed. Ask them what you yourself would want to know about them. Be it their favorite color…or maybe their relationship with their parents or how they would react in certain situations. The key is to not think to hard on the answer and let them answer for themselves.
Plus it's a fun thing to do when you're facing a writer's block. So not only are you taking a break from writing the story, you can still work on it by getting a better understand of your characters and the world they are in. Questioning things makes it more believable and realistic for them and for the readers.
Skip over any questions that you don't feel ready to answer or those that don't seem to be relevant or important to you or your character/story.
What is your full name? Nickname(s)? Why were you named that?
How old are you?
When is your birthday?
Where were you born?
Where do you live now?
What race/nationally are you?
What is your occupation?
What is your boss or employer like?
What are your co-workers like? Do you get along with them? Any in particular? Which ones don't you get along with?
Marital status (married, single, separated, in a relationship, divorced)?
If married, to who?
If divorced, under what terms and why?
If separated, why?
Do you have children? How many and what gender? Do you get along with them?
Who are/were your parents (names, occupations, personalities, etc)?
How well do/did you get along with them?
Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
How tall are you? How much do you weight?
What color is your hair and your eyes?
Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Or other unique physical features?
What is your style of dress?
What do you wear when you go to sleep?
Do you wear any jewelry?
What social class do you belong?
What language do you speak? Do you know any other one?
Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weakness?
Are you right or left handed?
What does your voice sound like?
What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (devious grin, wry smile, cheerfulness, etc.)?
Does your face reflect the 'inner you' or are looks deceiving?
What is your favorite pastime?
What is you favorite food? Drink?
What is your least favorite food? Drink?
What is your favorite treat (desert)?
Are you allergic to any food?
What is your favorite color?
Is there any color that you dislike?
If you have a favorite scent, what is it?
Do you have a favorite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument?
What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
What is your most cherished fantasy?
How long is your attention span?
Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
Is there anything that shocks or offends you?
How do you deal with stress?
How much athletic ability do you have?
Do you like animals? Do you like children?
Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
Are you a morning person?
What are your hobbies or interests?
What are your pet peeves?
What would be the perfect gift for you?
What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?
What time of day is your favorite?
What kind of weather is your favorite?
What would you do if someone shot at (attacked) you?
What would you do if something were stolen from you?
What would you do if you were badly insulted publicly?
What would you do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death?
What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do?
What is your earliest memory?
What is your favorite toy?
What was your favorite game?
Who was your best friend when you were growing up?
What is your worst childhood memory?
How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
How would you describe your childhood in general?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When and with whom was your first kiss?
How old were you when you went on your first date?
When your character thinks of her childhood kitchen, what smell does she associate with it? Sauerkraut? Oatmeal cookies? Paint? Why is that smell so resonant for her?
Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
What were you like in high school? What "clique" did you best fit in with?
What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
What is your greatest regret?
What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing that ever happen to you?
Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
When was the time you were the most frightened?
Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, where?
Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor?
If so, what did this person do to become famous or infamous?
What do people assume about you once your ancestry is revealed? Do you try to live up to the reputation of their ancestor, try to live it down, or ignore it?
What is your alignment (good or evil)?
Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
Do you believe in an afterlife?
What is your greatest fear? Do you think there is anything out there that's scarier than that? What do you think that would be?
Do you, or did you, have any role models? Do you have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend?
If so, have you ever met them?
Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?
What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
What are your views on politics? Religion? Sex?
What are your views on gambling, theft, and killing?
Do you sometimes lie (white lies or significant lies)? Can people usually tell when you're lying or are you a really accomplished liar?
How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
How much do you value money?
In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
Are you superstitious?
How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Who is the person you respect the most? Despite the most? Why?
Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
How do you show affection/love?
Have you ever been in love?
Do you have a significant other?
What do you look for in a potential lover?
How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period?
How close are you to your family?
Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Are you a listener or a talker?
Are you a leader or a follower?
Do you hold grudges?
Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
How well do you express yourself?
How quickly do you judge others?
Do you care what other think of you?
Do you have any enemies?
How does the character show handle grief? Can the character cry?
How does the character handle pain?
How long does it usually take for you to trust others? How do you decide if you can trust someone? First impressions? Intuition? Do you test the person somehow? Or are you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Do you like yourself?
Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
If you could choose, how would you want to die?
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
What three words would other use to best describe your personality?
What three words would others probably used to describe you?
How do you handle anger? Are you slow to anger or easy to annoy? Are people afraid of you, and if so is this justified?
How do you react to confrontation? Would you give anything for a quiet life or do you enjoy winning an argument or a fight?
Has anyone or anything you've ever cared about died? How did you feel about it? What happened?
What was the worst injury you've ever received? How did it happen?
Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they, and do you plan to get rid of them?
If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inheritance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it?
What would you wish for if you found a genie?
What do you do when you are bored?
If you are a fighter, you must have some minimal training with a weapon— why are you a fighter, where did you get the weapon and how did you learn to use it (friend, a job, parent, military)?
Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where is she going? What does she wear? Who will she be with?
If you were sick how would you react? What would you do?
If someone was hurt and bleeding what would you do? What is your reaction to it?
If you were to be marooned on an island with one person of your choice, who would it be?
Which is your favorite curse word?
What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or that you do not love them back?
It is a dark night, you are alone, it is raining outside, you hear someone walking around outside your window. Who do you call and/or what do you do?
If you are lost in a forest, what do you do?
How do animals act around you (are they terrified, friendly, aggressive etc..)?
What king of weather do you prefer?
Are you able to sleep during the day? Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Do you drool, sleeptalk, snore, sleepwalk, have nightmares or dreams?
Note: I'm come back to this once in a while to add on more questions. If you think up any questions feel free to let me know and add them on too. Hopefully, over time this can be the ultimate character interview/questionnaire that writers can use.
 DamnBlackHeart · Thu Feb 24, 2011 @ 08:25am · 0 Comments |
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