Have you ever considered interviewing your character to get to know them better? By asking "them" some questions, you can delve into different angles of their personality and story.
This process allows you to better understand traits, such as background, interests, and values. Being a writer/worldbuilder involves bringing your imagination to life on pen and paper, why not try a pretend interview?
Furthermore, this strategy can help you overcome creative block. There's no need to write the answers, simply having them in your mind is valuable. Try the questions below and breathe some life into your character!
About their appearance
When asking appearance-related questions, consider how these traits influence your character's identity and self-perception. For instance, think about distinctive features, fashion choices, and grooming habits.
1. Do you prefer comfort or looks?
2. Someone is describing your appearance. What words do they use?
3. There's something unique about you (e.g. scars or tattoos). What does it mean to you?
4. You looked different when you were younger. What changed the most?
5. Our hair and nails grow, our skin gets dirty. How much care do you put into them?
6. What does wearing jewelry mean to you?
7. Everybody has an irk or a pet peeve about fashion/looks. What's yours?
8. Is there something about your appearance that you want and can change?
9. How about something outside of your control, i.e. you can't change?
10. Finally, most importantly, what's something you won't change?
Ask about their story
Exploring a character's past helps uncover achievements, motivations, and regrets that define who they are. Also, it provides a foundation for understanding their complexities to create depth and relatability.
11. Would you say that you had a good childhood?
12. Who had the biggest impact on shaping you?
13. Tell me the happiest memory you can think of.
14. If you could change your past, would you? What would you change?
15. Did you give up on any of your goals or dreams?
16. Tell me the earliest memory you can think of.
17. Is there someone from your past that you miss? What happened?
18. Tell me about the hardest moment of your life.
19. Your younger self is in front of you. What do you say to them?
20. What's your greatest achievement?
An interview on personality
Asking about personality not only reveals the inner workings of your character but also delves into aspects such as their self-image and how they navigate relationships and challenges. Additionally, their reactions and resilience serve to highlight their core values and emotional strength.
21. In your life, what's something that had you disappointed in yourself?
22. How would you describe your attractiveness?
23. Do you act differently than you would like to? What needs to change?
24. How important is money?
25. Life is tough, but what keeps you going?
26. How do you chat with someone with a very different personality?
27. Most topics you can debate, but there's one that you'll never discuss. What is it?
28. Someone is annoying you to the extreme. What are they doing?
29. Name someone that you'll never going to give up?
30. What makes someone a strong person?
What about relationships?
Relationships shape and reveal a character's humanity. Moreover, you can add layers to their interactions by understanding how they form bonds, handle conflicts, and express love.
31. How do you show someone that you care about them?
32. What’s something that makes you instantly like someone?
33. Tell me about the toughest betrayal you've ever faced.
34. What are the qualities that you admire the most?
35. Is it difficult for you to trust someone? Why?
36. What's your view on abandonment and loneliness?
37. How do you handle conflict?
38. What is love to you?
39. Is there someone from your past you wish you could reconnect with?
40. Tell me about a person that you forgave after a lot of effort?
An interview on views
Worldviews provide the philosophical foundation of your character, ultimately driving their actions and decisions. For example, whether it’s their stance on authority, change, or humanity, these insights significantly enrich your story's thematic depth.
41. What’s a personal belief of yours that most would disagree?
42. How do you define success?
43. What’s a cause that you’re passionate about?
44. Is it more important to follow logic or emotion?
45. Can you handle change easily?
46. What role does spirituality play in your life?
47. What is your stance on authority and rules?
48. How do you view humanity as a whole?
49. What would you say is the purpose of life?
50. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Final notes
Finally, by thoughtfully blending all these aspects together, you create a multidimensional character that feels real and compelling.
Also, you can use different methods for interviewing your character, such as pretending to be their therapist or journalist, or even setting up a scene where they interact with other characters.
Additionally, answer as many or as few questions as you want; it all depends on the depth you're seeking for your character. Have fun writing!
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