95 Questions to Ask a Character

I like to get to know my characters before I start inventing their lives and decisions. Here’s my ultimate list of what to ask a new character. It can also be a helpful exercise for renewing a relationship with a well-known character. Feel free to borrow from this and adapt it into something that works for you.

1. First name:

2. Story behind first name?

3. Middle name(s):

4. Story behind middle names?

5. Last name:

6. Nicknames?

7. Birthdate:

8. Birthplace:

9. Any family myths about birth?

10. Father’s full name:

11. What is their relationship like with their father?

12. Mother’s full name:

13. What is their relationship like with their mother?

14. What is their age in story?

15. How tall are they?

16. Describe their body type:

17. Describe their Hair color and style:

18. What is their Race/ethnicity?

19. What color eyes?

20. What is a distinguishing facial characteristic?

21. How do they dress for work/play/leisure?

22. Do they have any notable mannerisms?

23. Siblings? Older or younger?

24. Pets, past and present:

25. Do they have any chronic health issues?

26. What is their worst habit(s)?

27. What are they afraid of?

28. Do they have any superstitions?

29. What, if any, is their religion?

30. How would they describe their politics?

31. What is their most terrible memory?

32. What is their most treasured memory?

33. What is their most embarrassing moment?

34. Do they overuse any words or phrases?

35. How they express extroversion?

36. How they express introversion?

37. What is their greatest regret:

38. How do they lie and what do they lie about?

39. How do they want to be seen?

40. How do they see themselves?

41. Describe the last time they cried:

42. Describe the last time they drank too much (if ever):

43. What are they like when they're sick?

44. What gives them comfort?

45. What is their favorite food?

46. What food(s) do they hate?

47. What is their favorite drink (alcoholic/nonalcoholic): 

48. Who do they look up to?

49. Who do they look down on?

50. What qualities do they value in a friend?

51. What are their pet peeves?

52. First kiss (who/circumstances/emotions)?

53. First sex (who/circumstances/emotions)?

54. Number of serious relationships?

55. Number of sexual partners?

56. What is their favorite smell(s)?

57. What is their least favorite smell(s)?

58. How do they respond to threats?

59. What would they bring to a desert island?

60. What would they save from their burning house?

61. Who is their enemy?

62. How do they show anger?

63. How do they show love?

64. What is their sense of humor like?

65. What is their current job?

66. What was their first job?

67. What was their early education like? 

68. What was their higher education like?

69. Do they play a sport? 

70. Do they play an instrument?

71. Are they creative?

72. How smart are they?

73. What is their socioeconomic status (past and present)?

74. What is their favorite animal?

75. What is their favorite color:

76. Where do they like to travel?

77. Describe their ideal vacation:

78. What is their favorite song to dance to?

79. What is their favorite song to cry to?

80. Who is their favorite musician:

81. What was their first car and when did they learn to drive?

82. Describe their purse or wallet:

83. Do they have any allergies?

84. Last time they dressed up in costume, what were they?

85. What is their plan if they suddenly become rich?

86. If they could travel through time, where would they go?

87. If they could have a superpower, what would they choose?

88. What is their relationship with technology?

89. What do they think heaven is?

90. What do they think hell is?

91. What would they be famous for?

92. How do they end a telephone call?

93. How do they think they will die?

94. What do they think is too serious to be joked about?

95. If they knew they only had three months to live, how would they spend that time?