Come Along on the Character’s Journey
You are about to embark on a journey for your character and yourself and your readers. As with any journey, you need to prepare yourself and your character for the trip ahead. The baggage we carry contains so many things, physically and emotionally.
I like to think of activities as journeys. Adventures with obstacles to overcome, companions to meet, and a destination to reach. The character’s journey is the same.
The Character’s Journey
Though, most feel the character’s journey may not be as important as other areas of planning a novel; it most certainly is important. You as the writer need to think carefully about how your character’s journey will go. You as the writer need to understand the character inside and out.
Here are some things to think about:
The Beginning Steps
In order to really know your character(s), you’ll need to know as much about them as you do about yourself. Really get to know them from their basic information to their appearance and mannerisms.
Basic Character Information
Since you are writing or planning to write a story, you should already have an idea of your character in mind. The easiest place to start is basic information about the character.
- Full Name (with meanings)
- Age (Birthday)
- Birth Place
- Current Place of Residence
- Nationality
- Education
- Occupation
- Income
Character’s Physical Appearance
So your audience can envision what your characters look like, as well as yourself, you need to know exactly what your character(s) physically look like.
- What is their hair color?
- What is their eye color?
- How would you describe their skin color?
- What is their build (body type)? Weight? Height?
- How do they walk? (Confident, distracted, comfortable, hurried, etc.)
- What are the shapes of their eyes, nose, mouth and chin?
- Do they have any distinguishing features? (Tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etc?)
- If your writing a fantasy, what species are they? And what species specific features do they have?
- Do they wear glasses or contact?
- How do they usually dress?
- What is their usual level of grooming? (Disheveled, Clean and put together, or a mix)
- What items are always associated with them? (Hat, cane, jewelry, specific scent or perfume, etc.)
- What is their health like? Do they have an illness or childhood injury that never healed?
- Do they have any distinguishing tics or mannerisms that you should jot down?
Speech and Mannerisms
The way your character presents themselves, talks, and moves says a lot about them. Let’s give you some things to think about in this area.
- How do they talk? (Rapid, slow, with an accent?)
- What type of speech do they use? (Educated, slang, mix, etc)
- How is their posture?
- Do they gesture while talking? How much do they do so, if they do?
- How is their eye contact? Do they shift away? Avoid? Or are they confidently direct?
- Do they curse? If they do, which is their favorite to use?
- Do they have a favorite word or phrase they use? Perhaps one they don’t realize they say all the time?
- Do they have any speech impediments or tics?
- How emotional are they?
- What do they find funny? How does their laugh sound?
- What other types of habits and mannerisms do they have?
The Path Continues
Character Background
Your character’s background is a large part of them. It’s how they grew up, the people that have been in their lives, events that happened in their past that have affected how they are today and so much more. This is where you can delve deep into where they came from, what makes them react the way they do and how their personality shapes them.
There is so much in their background you can discover, and you may not use every piece of information you discover. It will be there in the event you feel the need to add it. With there being quite a bit you can research, we are going to break it down a bit further.
History
This is their beginning, before the audience is introduced to them, they have lived a full life with families, friends, events, and more.
- Where was their hometown? Did they move often? Where else have they lived and for how long?
- What was their childhood like? (Where they sheltered, neglected, loved yet learned, etc.)
- Describe their education? Did they finish any type of schooling? Go back to school?
- Where they involved in any clubs, organizations, or sports in school?
- What was their dream job growing up and why?
- What jobs have they held, if any?
- Who was their role model?
- What hobbies did they have? How did they spend their spare time?
- Memories:
- Earliest?
- Saddest?
- Happiest?
- What baggage are they hiding or holding onto?
- Describe them as a child.
- Do they have a criminal record? If so, list.
Family
Just as your family impacts your life, so does your character’s family. They are supportive, cause fights, hold grudges (sometimes forever), and still love you deep down.
Members
Information to Find
- Mother
- Father
- Siblings
- Children
- Spouse/Lover (past)
- Extended Family
- Grandparents
- Aunts/Uncles
- Cousins
- Mentor
- Full Name
- Age, Date of birth, Date of Death (if applicable)
- Occupation
- Relationship to character.
- How many of each do they have?
- How often do they see each other?
- What is their family dynamic? How well do they get along with each other?
Friends, Enemies, and Acquaintances
These are others who have been or are still a part of their lives. Friends that stayed with or faded away, but left an impact. Enemies who bullied or are still holding a grudge. Others who they’ve met and had an impact on them.
- Who are their closest and not so close friends?
- Who are their enemies? Why?
- How are they perceived by others?
- What social media platforms do they use and how do they use them?
- What is their role in a group setting? (Joker, leader, caregiver, etc)
Personal Path
Here is where we dig deeper into the character themselves. Emotionally and psychologically. Here you will discover their weaknesses, strengths, flaws, fears, and motivations.
- What are they striving for? What do they want most in their life right now?
- What is their personality like? Are they street or book smart? An optimist or pessimist? Introverted or extroverted?
- Favorites:
- Sound
- Song/Movie/TV Show
- Place
- Flower
- Object
- Food/Drink
- Color
- Quote
- What are their pet peeves?
- Do they have any quirks? If so, what are they?
- What secret are they keeping? About themselves or another?
- What are their flaws? Which is more prominent?
- What are their strengths?
- What are their weaknesses?
- What is their biggest fear?
- What is their biggest accomplishment?
- What makes them…
- Happy?
- Angry?
- Sad?
- Frustrated?
- Loved?
- Etc?
- What are their likes and dislikes?
Current Destination
You are at the character’s destination, but their story is far from over. It’s just beginning. These are the last few things you’ll need to know about your character before you begin their actual story journey.
- What is their main goal?
- What are their smaller goals?
- What is their motivation for completing these goals?
- What decisions to the make to achieve these goals?
- Are there any consequences to these decisions? If so, what are they?
- How do they react to their decisions? Do they feel defeated or are they even more motivated to continue forward?
- What inner turmoil, doubts, and distractions will they face?
- What external obstacles must they overcome?
Final Thoughts
That was a lot to cover, I know. You will be thankful to have that information as you go along on tour characters’ journey through their story, though. The more you know about your character(s), the better off you are to build an amazing story.
Are there items you have that are not listed here? Share them in the comments so we can help each other have a thorough understanding of our characters as we write them!
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