Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zetta Brown on March 9, 2011 at 4:51am

I have a character fact sheet template that I created. It's pretty detailed because I've taken bits and pieces from other forms I've seen authors use. I may not complete the entire form, but a good deal of it will be complete. But I don't just use a form, I'll write out details and even bits of dialogue.

 

I know my characters pretty well before I start writing, but not so much that they don't surprise me over the course of writing the story. :)

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Golden Malmgren on March 13, 2011 at 10:21am

Zetta, could you share your character fact sheet with us? I have one that I've been using but I feel like I need to try a new one.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly R. Perdue-Sims on March 9, 2011 at 6:09am

Hi Michelle! Thanks for inviting me this group! Love it! Character development is one of the most time consuming aspects of writing for me. I have to knowmy characters intimately! From birth on and even before sometimes. I have character templates too,but I use a poster board for my main characters once I get down tothe business of writing. Its bigger,I scribble notes on it.I'm a very visual person so it helps me to truly see me people! LOL Thanks again!

 

Peace

Kim

Permalink Reply by Skylar Kade on March 9, 2011 at 12:05pm

I keep character sheets not only as reference, but as part of my brainstorming. I've patched together a pre-writing workbook for myself from author resources, reference books, etc that helps me develop character-driven plots.

Permalink Reply by Candy Fite on March 9, 2011 at 2:01pm

I keep a notebook for each book / story idea. Inside, I jot down notes, ideas, plot happenings, conflicts and yes, character pages. I probably should devise some kind of fact sheet like Zetta mentioned...you wouldn't be up for sharing your template would you, Zetta? It may help someone, like me--a writer who has total ADD. My character sheets are scribbled and very unorganized. They look more like a child wrote them.

Some of my stories are birthed out of an idea or premise, instead the characters themselves. Then, I find I have to go back and create characters to fit the bill. Does that make sense? Then I fall in love with them once they're created.

There have been dozens, like now, when a character comes to life all by themselves and sit in the back of my brain, knocking until I answer. Usually when that happens, the story comes second. It's as if when I open the mental door to let the character out, his or her story flows out with them.

My problem then is writing it all down in an organized fashion instead of trying to remember all the facts about each character.

Maybe that is one reason I have ADD! Too many voices floating around in my brain. At least I don't think I'm a lunatic anymore! As a child, I often wondered if I had multiple personalities. lol.

 

Great group by the way, Michelle. Thanks for the invite!

Permalink Reply by Zetta Brown on March 10, 2011 at 5:12am

Hi Candy!

I've attached my character worksheet as requested. It's pretty detailed (5 pages), and I don't necessarily answer all questions. Plus, I may add/delete things as appropriate taking account what works for me and what doesn't.

 

I referenced the books where I got some of the questions from and started a new discussion thread (Character References) where I suggest other books I like on the subject :)

 

Attachments:

• Character Sketch Worksheet.doc, 35 KB

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Golden Malmgren on March 13, 2011 at 10:21am

Ah perfect! I just asked for this in another post...:)

Permalink Reply by L. A. Howard on March 13, 2011 at 11:03am

Hey, this is a pretty handy thing!  Mind if I use it?

Permalink Reply by Zetta Brown on March 13, 2011 at 5:30pm

Help yourself! Like I said, I cobbled this from what other people use so I can hardly be proprietary about it LOL

Permalink Reply by Terri L. Atkins Febuary on February 20, 2012 at 8:34pm

Just joined this group and saw this list. Thanks, it helps in writing scripts too.

Permalink Reply by Eleni Zoe Papaioannou on March 17, 2011 at 2:40am

Oo, thanks for this! I will definitely include some of these in my character worksheets!

Permalink Reply by Patricia A. McGoldrick on March 30, 2011 at 8:37am

Thanks for the worksheet, Zetta!

This will be a great help!

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