120 Questions to Ask About Characters

Creating truly memorable characters is more than just sketching out traits on paper—it’s about making them come alive with their own hopes, fears, and dreams. I’ll guide you through the key questions that can unlock the depth of your characters, making them as vivid and real as any person you know.

This journey isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding the essence of your characters. Why do they make the choices they do? What haunts them at night?

Curious to see how these insights transform your writing? By the end, you’ll not only know your characters better but also have the tools to make them resonate with your readers.

Foundational Characteristics

1. What is the character’s full name?
2. How old is the character?
3. What does the character look like?
4. Where was the character born?
5. What is the character’s current occupation?
6. Does the character have any notable physical markings?
7. What kind of clothing does the character prefer?
8. Is there a possession they always carry?
9. What is their typical daily routine?
10. How does the character speak (accent, language, style)?
11. What education or training has the character received?
12. Does the character have any disabilities or health issues?
13. What is the character’s socioeconomic status?
14. How does the character react to stress?
15. What are the character’s hobbies or special interests?
16. Is the character religious or spiritual?
17. What is the character’s living situation?
18. How does the character travel in their world (walk, drive, other)?
19. What is the character’s earliest memory?
20. What is a defining moment in the character’s early life?

Historical and Life Experiences

1. What is a pivotal event that shaped the character’s life?
2. Who has had the most influence on the character’s development?
3. What was the character’s childhood like?
4. Has the character experienced significant losses?
5. What is the character’s happiest memory?
6. What past mistake does the character regret the most?
7. How has the character’s upbringing affected their worldview?
8. What historical events have impacted the character during their lifetime?
9. Has the character ever changed their name or identity?
10. What are the character’s past relationships like?
11. What significant challenges has the character overcome?
12. Has the character ever been in love?
13. What was the character’s education like?
14. Has the character ever been involved in a crime?
15. What traumas has the character endured?
16. Has the character traveled widely, and if so, how has it affected them?
17. What is the character’s relationship with their family?
18. How does the character relate to their cultural background?
19. Has the character ever won any awards or recognitions?
20. What is one secret the character has never told anyone?

Emotional and Psychological Depth

1. What are the character’s greatest fears?
2. What makes the character happy?
3. What angers the character most?
4. How does the character handle disappointment?
5. What is the character’s most cherished dream?
6. What are the character’s coping mechanisms?
7. How does the character express love?
8. What are the character’s prejudices or biases?
9. What is the character’s biggest secret?
10. How confident is the character in their abilities?
11. What mental health issues, if any, does the character face?
12. How does the character view success?
13. What is the character’s philosophy of life?
14. How does the character deal with fear?
15. What would the character change about themselves if they could?
16. How does the character handle criticism?
17. What are the character’s long-term aspirations?
18. How does the character perceive their own weaknesses?
19. Does the character have any recurring dreams or nightmares?
20. What is the character most proud of?

Moral and Philosophical Insights

1. What is the character’s moral compass?
2. How does the character justify their actions?
3. What ethical dilemmas has the character faced?
4. How does the character define right and wrong?
5. Does the character believe in fate or free will?
6. How does the character react to injustice?
7. What would the character never do, no matter the situation?
8. How does the character treat people they dislike?
9. What sacrifices has the character made?
10. What does the character value most in life?
11. Does the character ever lie, and under what circumstances?
12. How does the character handle power or authority?
13. What are the character’s views on loyalty?
14. How does the character approach conflict?
15. Does the character follow their heart or their head?
16. What laws, if any, would the character change?
17. What is the character’s view on forgiveness?
18. How does the character demonstrate integrity?
19. What is the hardest decision the character has ever made?
20. How does the character view their own morality?

Character Growth and Evolution

1. How has the character changed since the beginning of the story?
2. What event triggered a significant change in the character?
3. What lessons has the character learned?
4. How has the character’s relationships affected their development?
5. What goals has the character achieved?
6. What mistakes has the character repeated?
7. How has the character’s perspective on life evolved?
8. What new skills or knowledge has the character acquired?
9. How does the character handle setbacks?
10. What part of the character’s past would they like to return to?
11. How has the character’s role in their community or group changed?
12. What conflicts has the character resolved?
13. What has been the character’s greatest challenge?
14. How does the character deal with change?
15. What does the character wish they had done differently?
16. What is the most significant relationship in the character’s life?
17. How has the character’s sense of self-worth evolved?
18. What has the character sacrificed for growth?
19. How does the character plan for the future?
20. What unresolved issues does the character still face?

Interpersonal Relationships

1. Who is the character closest to?
2. How does the character choose their friends?
3. What is the character’s most troubled relationship?
4. How does the character show affection?
5. Who does the character trust the most?
6. How does the character resolve conflicts with others?
7. What is the character’s biggest betrayal?
8. How does the character influence others?
9. Who has the character influenced the most?
10. How does the character handle rejection?
11. What is the character’s typical role in a group?
12. Who is the character’s greatest enemy, and why?
13. How does the character handle grief?
14. What is the character’s best relationship advice?
15. How does the character view teamwork?
16. What misunderstandings has the character had with others?
17. How loyal is the character to their friends or family?
18. What does the character most misunderstand about others?
19. How does the character react when someone disappoints them?
20. Who relies on the character the most?