The following is a character profile worksheet. Before I set you loose on it, I need to give you a word of caution. This profile sheet is exhaustive. You don't really need to have all this information down, nor does it need to come across in the writing. There are some famous writers that never describe their characters' outward appearance, whereas with others, it's the first thing you "see".

Resist the urge to spill all the information you have at once in your story. As with getting to know real people, getting to know a character should be gradual. No one walks up to you and give you their life story immediately, at least they don't usually.  This is why we have character development, which is often best portrayed through the actions of the character and the interactions the have with other characters, and how these change over time. These changes don't need to be permanent or long lasting, but they need to be there in order to create a dynamic character.

The opposite of a dynamic character is a static character. A static character does not learn or change; they stay the same throughout the story. These characters have their place, but that's not usually what you'll be going for. A pitfall with these worksheets is to adhere to them strictly throughout the story. This can make characters woefully static when they shouldn't be.

Most of all, remember that the word of the worksheet is not law. It's a brainstorming tool or an organizer. Don't put yourself in a box.

Now a note on this particular worksheet: You don't need to fill out every box. Heck, delete half of them. I usually do. This is my own personal worksheet I've compiled over the years, so feel free to add or subtract anything you want.


Character Profile Worksheet for ________________
       
       How the Character is Involved in the Story
       Role in story:
       Scene where character first appears:
       Relationships with other characters:
       

       Basic Statistics
       
       Name:
       Age:
       Birth Date:
       Marital Status:
       Ethnicity:
       Languages spoken:
       Vocal Inflection or Accent:
       Socioeconomic Level as a child:
       Socioeconomic Level as an adult:
       Hometown:
       Current Residence:
       Occupation:
       Income:
       Preferred mode of transportation:
       Talents/Skills:
       Birth order:
       Siblings relationship:
       Spouse relationship:
       Children relationship:
       Relationship w/ parents:
       relationship w/ grandparents:
       relationship w/ grandchildren
       Relationship skills:
       
       
       Physical Characteristics:
       
       Height:
       Weight:
       Bone structure:
       Race:
       Eye Color:
          ---shape:
       Hair: color:
           ---Style:
       Glasses or contact lenses?:
       Skin color:
       Shape of Face:
       Shape of Nose:
       Shape of Mouth:
       Teeth Description:
       Distinguishing features:
       Manner of dress?
       Mannerisms:  
       Posture:
       Health:
       Fitness Level:
       Hobbies:
       Favorite Sayings:
       Speech patterns:
       Disabilities:
       Greatest flaw:
       Best quality :
       
       
       Intellectual/Mental/Personality Attributes and Attitudes
       
       Educational Background:
       IQ:
       Any Mental Illnesses?
       Learning Experiences:
       Character's short-term goals in life:
       Character's long-term goals in life:
       How does Character see himself/herself?:
       How does Character believe he/she is perceived by others?:
       How self-confident is the character?:
       Does the character seem ruled by emotion or logic?
       What would most embarrass this character?:
       Best memory:
       Worst memory:
       Habits: irritating:
               ---Sleeping:
               ---eating:
       Vices:
       

       Emotional Characteristics
              
       Strengths:
       Weaknesses:
       Introvert or Extrovert?
       How does the character deal with anger?
       With sadness?
       With conflict?
       With change?
       With loss?
       What does the character want out of life?
       What would the character like to change in his/her life?
       What motivates this character?
       What frightens this character?
       What annoys or frustrates them?
       What makes this character happy?
       judgmental of others?
       generous or stingy?
       generally polite or rude?
       Are they loved?
       Ever been in love?
       Do they or have they ever hated anyone?
       Temperment:
       Superstitious?:
       Imagination?:
       
       
       Spiritual Characteristics
       
       Does the character believe in a god or gods?:
       What are the character's spiritual beliefs?
       Is religion or spirituality a part of this character's life?
       If so, what role does it play?
       Moral Values:
       

      List 5-10 adjectives describing said character:
       1.
       2.
       3.
       4.
       5.
       6.
       7.
       8.
       9.