how to write a compelling character?
related: visual character design
basic
- establish motivations and goals - what is a character’s driving force? what are their values?
- reference real people’s personalities - consider key traits and quirks
- for every trait a character has, ask “why”?
- why are they shy? → recurse
- determine core traits, consider contradictions in their personalities, and what influenced their development + backstory
guiding questions
core
- “why”?
- where are they most comfortable?
- what habits do they have?
- what do they care the most about?
- greatest hopes and fears?
- what motivates them? greatest aspiration?
- biggest fear?
- moral alignment?
- what would it take for the character to compromise their morals?
- what would they never do or say?
- how forgiving are they?
- what is their backstory?
- worst memory?
- best memory?
- relationship with family?
- what secrets do they have?
- key life moments?
- strengths and weaknesses?
- unique skills or talents?
- what would they say is their greatest strength? how does that differ from what other people perceive?
- how do they handle criticism?
secondary
- how self-aware are they?
- what is their ideal life?
- what do they think about before falling asleep?
- what does their voice sound like?
- if they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be?
- what is their favorite song?
- what do they eat for breakfast? what is their morning routine?
- how do they drive?
- if they could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why? how would they treat it?