Character Sheets

Character sheets are very handy to use when planning a story. They help establish a foundation on which to build. Since I occasionally do characterization sessions for schools and groups, I thought I’d share the points I cover when designing a character.

1 - Name and gender

2 - Background:

• Race or culture
• Nationality
• Religion
• Upbringing - how they were raised, positive or negative?
• Siblings
• Parents & other relatives
• Economic status

3 - Personality:

• Type - Choleric (oldest, leader, worker, persuasive, extroverted, unemotional), Phlegmatic (middle, peaceful, friendly, indecisive, introverted, unemotional), Sanguine (youngest, playful, unorganized, talkative, extroverted, emotional), or Melancholy (only, perfect, artistic, sensitive, introverted, emotional).
• Strengths - what are they good at?
• Weaknesses - impulses, issues, etc.
• Interests
• Goals - this can be what propels the story.

4 - Physical attributes:

• Build
• Height
• Weight
• Eye/hair color
• Intelligence

5 - Misc.:

• Birthday
• Friends
• Spouse/GF/BF
• Children
• Other - any other details not covered above.

Anything else you add when designing your characters?

And if anyone would like a copy of my characterization sheet, just email me!