World Building

 Is it real or fictional or both? Physical or spiritual or both?

 Where and when is this world? Another time? Another place? Another planet?

 Is this world in another dimension? Is there magic here?

 What are the rules of physics here? How do you move about in this world?

 Why are you here? Why this place in particular?

 What sort of terrain does this world have? Is it dangerous? Safe?

 What is the weather like?

 How does the terrain and weather affect who lives here?

 Does the terrain and weather reflect/emphasize anything about the people here?

 What does the physical landscape uncover and reveal about what is beneath the surface?

 How does the physical landscape affect the behavior of the people who live here?

 Who lives here?

 List how people make a living.

 Is there conflict in work choice or lack thereof?

 Are there haves and have-nots?

 Are there class disputes?

 What is the social landscape?

 Are there cultural disputes? Are these disputes obvious? Subtle? To the boiling point?

 What are the values held? Are there opposing moral values? Who has them?

 What is the religion? What is an opposite or opposing religion? Branches of religions?

 Is there a choice and religious freedom?

 Is there a sense of right and wrong?

  Are there rituals in this world? What are they for? What do they mean?

 Do they have meaning beyond the obvious?

 Who is idolized? Who has admired social status?

 Who is disdained?

 Who is ignored? Who has no voice?

 How does social status affect the behavior of the people who live here?

Pull in closer.

 Look around. Where are you?

 What is the housing like here? How does it tie in with who lives here?

 How does the housing between groups or places differ and why?

 What do you smell? What do you hear?

 What do you feel—is there a texture to the air? Is it easy to breathe?

 Are you warm? Cold?

 Do you feel heavy? Light? Physically, mentally or spiritually?

 Are you comfortable? Safe?

 Are you in danger? Threatened? From who or what?

 Who do you see? Who is here?

 Is there an object here? Is it important? To who?

 Does it have meaning? What?

 What is wrong here? What is at stake in this place?

Character Development Worksheet

Character’s Full Name __________________________

Character’s Nickname(s) __________________________

Significance of the name and/or nickname _____________________________________

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Physical Characteristics:

Describe each physical characteristic and, on the line below each, tell how the character

feels about the characteristic (self-perception).

Age _____________

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Age character actually appears and the reason why______________________________

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Hair color and style ______________________________________________________

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Eye color ______________________________________________________________

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Height ________________________________________________________________

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Weight _________________________________________________________________

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Body type/Build ________________________________________________________

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Shape of Face and Distinguishing Features ___________________________________

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Coloring _______________________________________________________________

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Cleanliness _____________________________________________________________

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Noticeable handicaps _____________________________________________________

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Sense of style ____________________________________________________________

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Thing the character would most like to change about him/herself and why-

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Intelligences and Attitudes: (circle those that apply)

Circle the ones that apply: Mechanical Analytical Physical (sports)

Technical Social Artistic Mathematical Musical Introspective

Optimistic/Pessimistic Rational/Irrational Kindhearted/Hardhearted Calculating Sneaky

Integrity Honorable Downtrodden Strong/Weak Careless Punctual Thoughtful

Fastidious Authentic Brave Barbaric Gentle Thoughtless Melodramatic Phlegmatic

Choleric Sanguine Melancholy Introvert/Extrovert

Others personal attributes __________________________________________________

Talents _________________________________________________________________

Drive and Motivators in Character’s Life

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Likes

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Dislikes

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Pet peeves

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Value Character places on Things and Why

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Spirituality

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Habits:

Common Expressions

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Mannerisms, peculiarities and quirks

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Fun Pursuits/ Favorite pastimes

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Hobbies

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Relationships:

Family (Who and describe the relationship)

• Mother

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• Father____________________________________________________________

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• Siblings

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• Spouse/Lover______________________________________________________

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• Children

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Friendships (Who and describe the relationships)

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Other significant relationships to characters in the story

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Pets

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General behavior toward others

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Describe how others perceive the character and note any disparity between views

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Significant Personal History:

Birthplace _____________________________________
Upbringing—where and how

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Education—where and what

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Significant Events

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Biggest Success

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Current Situation

Describe each and tell how the character feels about them.

Residence

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Vehicles
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Stuff (Belongings)

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Job/ Employment

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Relationships

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Hardships that linger

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Delights that linger

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Biggest Regret

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Secrets and who knows about them

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Secret Hopes and Dreams

Places character would like to visit

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Things character would like to do

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People character would like to meet

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Who character would most like to emulate and why

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Long-range goals

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Short-range goals

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Author Analysis of Character

This character makes a good:

• Hero, because _____________________________________________________

• Villain, because ____________________________________________________

• Supporting Character, because _________________________________________

I’m intrigued by this character because:

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Time-period that best fits this character: _______________________________________

Setting that best fits this character: ___________________________________________

Other characters needed to make this character work:

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