“When writing a novel (or short story), a writer should create living people, not characters,” Ernest Hemingway famously said.
But what does that mean in practice? How do you craft a character that breathes, a person your readers feel they could meet on the street? How do you fill them with passion, quirks, and dreams that attract readers? It all begins with truly getting to know them.
Start with the basics:
- Character’s Name
- Age
- Birthplace
- Current Home
- Ethnicity
- Occupation or School
Once you have this foundational information, it’s time to dig deeper. Answer as many questions as possible to uncover the hidden layers that make your character feel real and relatable.
21 Deep Questions to Understand Your Character Better
- What is something about your character that no one else knows?
- What’s their favorite time of day, and why?
- Who is their closest confidant?
- Is there something they collect? If so, what and why?
- Describe their most recent nightmare.
- What’s the first thing they think about upon waking?
- What’s something that endlessly fascinates them?
- What’s an experience or topic that embarrasses them?
- How do they prefer to celebrate their birthday? Alone or with others? Big or small?
- What was the last book they read, and what did they think of it?
- What type of weather brings them the most peace?
- Describe their best habit. What about their worst?
- What’s their earliest memory?
- What makes them feel nervous, jealous, angry, resentful, or sad?
- How would you rate their self-confidence on a scale from 1-10? What influences this?
- What does their voice sound like? When are they thoughtful? When do they get crass?
- What structures their day? Is it their job, children, responsibilities—or avoiding responsibilities?
- What does “health” mean to them?
- How do they view spirituality or religion?
- What’s their primary source of intimacy? If not romance, where else do they find it?
- Describe their educational background and intellectual interests.
Bringing Your Character to Life on the Page
Now that you’ve crafted a detailed profile of your character, it’s time to let these insights shine through in your story. Here are a few ways to bring these answers to life:
- Dialogue and Inner Thoughts
Use your character’s voice and inner monologue to reveal unique details you’ve uncovered. For example, if they speak crassly only when stressed, create a tense scene where their tone shifts, giving readers insight into their emotions.
- Physical Mannerisms and Body Language
Body language shows a person's self-confidence level or nervous tendencies. When anxious, perhaps they run their fingers along a favorite charm on a bracelet or habitually check their watch to keep their day structured.
- Scene Choice and Setting
Craft scenes that let their preferences or quirks shine. For example, if they love rainy weather, place them in a rainstorm to showcase how they react compared to others, highlighting their distinct personality.
- Character Relationships
Use their relationships to develop depth. If they have a close confidant, include moments of vulnerability or shared humor that reveal sides of your character they wouldn’t show to others.
- Personal Items and Environment
What someone keeps around them says a lot. Show details of their home, collections, or work environment to give readers a fuller sense of who they are beyond dialogue and actions.
Putting It All Together
Taking the time to ask these questions and integrate the answers allows you to write characters who resonate with readers. These aren’t just people on a page—they’re complex, memorable individuals who stay with readers long after they finish the story.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you'll start to see a pattern, revealing who your character truly is beyond the story. Perhaps they become that shy person who hides a world of curiosity, or maybe they're the confident extrovert with a hidden fear of abandonment. By uncovering these details, you’ll give readers a character they’re eager to understand, root for, and remember long after the story ends.
So, get started—your character’s waiting to be discovered!