Creating characters for my story?

Question

What can I do to get to know my characters better? Are there any tips that have helped you?

Answer 1

Base the characters on real-life people you know.

Answer 2

Sometimes I base my characters on real people that I know. I change the names, ages, and location of the character but the appearance and personality relates to somebody that I know. If I really can't think of someone that I know, but I have a character in my head I tend to write out character sheets listing just about everything I can think of about the character. Sometimes I don't do anything. I just write, and write, and write, and their personality grows throughout the novel. I like this method the most. I honestly hate planning, it makes me feel as if the character is not exactly real. When I just write without planning or anything, my characters come to life, and are more vibrant. But it's different for everyone, so this might not work for you. Hope this helps! Happy writing. ☺

Answer 3

Here's a tip I used a few times, and it always helped.
Write an interview with you character. Ask questions, then write your character's answer, just the way he/she would respond. Ask what your character thinks of the other characters. Ask about events in the character's life. Ask moral/ethical questions.
As you get answers, think about how your character got these attitudes, what experiences led to this personality, and add those to the character's profile to develop a backstory.

Answer 4

I tend to write complete histories for them.. similar to what I used to do for D&D..

I'd spend a week or so writing history.. Mostly on them, but I'd spend a page or so on any friends/relatives that may peak into the story.. I make it so that I cannot seperate my character from the history.. and then I start the story.. now, ALL of the history may not be written in the story, but it seems to leave a mark on it..

Answer 5

Base then off you or other people, forge them from bits and pieces of you. Like small details that make you, you. For instance I'm witty, and creative, and my family calls me the shade because I have a problem of appearing randomly, and walking past people without them noticeing... I'm a ninja! Sorry off topic, just you could make characters from people you know, just tweek the character a little bit so its not an exact copy of the person.

Answer 6

I created characters based upon the personalities of people I have met and everything they have gone through. The personalities determine the names for me and what they do in life.

Answer 7

What I always did was forget about the actual story you are writing, because chances are, it isn't going to be about the entire life of your character(s). Once you have a plain person without a background, create his life story! Then you can know what kind of things make him/her angry, happy, etc. and how they react to things.

HOPE I HELPED! [=

Answer 8

I do a layout of my characters like this (ex.):

JANE WINTERFIELD
Age: 18
Interests: Drawing
Family: James Winterfield, Father; Leslie Winterfield, Mother
Friends: Katie Manchester

Short Bio:
As an only child I was spoiled when I was young...however, through Father's discipline and Mother's teaching, I became a proper young lady. (etc.)

Answer 9

Try making a profile of their personality and get a god idea of how each one would react in an anyday situation. Ive always tried to visualize my characters as real people and tried to imagine everything from appearance to how their voice would sound.

Answer 10

Think of people in your own life, think of how they could be changed to fit in this story. Think of the story as your life, then change characters around to make them fit in the particular story. It will make it easier to write about characters and make your connection to the story stronger.