Sometimes,
it's not easy getting into the mind of a character. That can be
problematic, because you need to know them inside and out, to
properly depict them on paper.
To
that end, some authors like to use a character interview, answering
as the character. There are some where the questions are directed at
the author, about the character. I don't like these as well,
because it doesn't force me to think like that other person, I
project my interpretation of them onto the questions—if that makes
any sense?
An
author friend of mine, Pat Bertram, kindly shared the list that she
uses. I have added, subtracted and fiddle about to suit me, but the
majority of this list is hers. Thank you, Pat! It has been very
helpful over the years. Sometimes, you will be surprised at what the
characters say!
Answer
the questions which are most applicable, and don't use the ones that
make no sense. For example, if a character lives far in the past,
he's not going to have a lighter and cellphone. If he's in the
future, he might not have car keys.
Next
week, I will share an interview of one of my characters, using these
questions. I was stunned (and somewhat alarmed) at how he answered
them.
Below
is the list of questions. Feel free to borrow it and modify it to
your own needs. Happy Writing!
Who
are you?
What
is your story?
Where
do you live?
Are
you the hero of your own story?
What
is your problem in the story?
Do
you have a problem that wasn’t mentioned in the story?
Do
you embrace conflict?
Do
you run from conflict?
How
do you see yourself?
How
do your friends see you?
How
do your enemies see you?
How
does the author see you?
Do
you think the author portrayed you accurately?
What
do you think of yourself?
Do
you have a hero?
Do
you have a goal?
What
are your achievements?
Do
you talk about your achievements?
Do
you keep your achievements to yourself?
Do
you have any special strengths?
Do
you have any special weaknesses?
Do
you have any skills?
Do
you have money troubles?
What
do you want?
What
do you need?
What
do you want to be?
What
do you believe?
What
makes you happy?
What
are you afraid of?
What
makes you angry?
What
makes you sad?
What
do you regret?
What
is your biggest disappointment?
What,
if anything, haunts you?
Are
you lucky?
Have
you ever failed at anything?
Has
anyone ever failed you?
Has
anyone ever betrayed you?
Have
you ever failed anyone?
Have
you ever betrayed anyone?
Do
you keep your promises?
Are
you honorable?
Are
you healthy?
Do
you have any handicaps?
Do
you have any distinguishing marks?
What
was your childhood like?
Do
you like remembering your childhood?
Did
anything newsworthy happen on the day you were born?
Did
you get along with your parents?
What
in your past had the most profound effect on you?
What
in your past would you like to forget?
What
in your past would you like others to forget?
Who
was your first love?
Who
is your true love?
Have
you ever had an adventure?
What
is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?
Was
there a major turning point in your life?
Was
there ever a defining moment of your life?
Is
there anything else about your background you’d like to discuss?
What
is your most closely guarded secret?
What
is your most prized possession? Why?
Do
you have any hobbies?
What
is your favorite scent? Why?
What
is your favorite color? Why?
What
is your favorite food? Why?
What
is your favorite beverage? Why?
What
is your favorite music? Why?”
What
is your favorite item of clothing? Why?
Name
five items in your purse, briefcase, or pockets.
What
are the last five entries in your check registry?
What
are the last three books you read?
If
you were at a store now, what ten items would be in your shopping
cart?
If
you had the power to change one thing in the world that didn’t
affect you personally, what would it be?
What
makes you think that change would be for the better?
If
you were stranded on a desert island, who would you rather be
stranded with, a man or a woman?
How
do you envision your future?
©
2018 Dellani Oakes
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