Character Template

Based on work from The Writing Kylie and judasrpc on Tumblr, modified by Juniper Jones.
Free for use under the CC-NC-SACreative Commons: Non-Commercial, Share-alike license!

I normally leave each question in italics, and put my character's response (or mine, if they can't or won't answer) in normal font. But do as you wish!

Personal

Basics

What is your full name? Do you have a nickname, and if so, who uses it?
What is your sex? Your gender? What pronouns do you prefer?
What is your species? Your race? Your ethnicity?
Where and when were you born?
Who are/were your parents? (Their names, birthplaces, occupations, personalities, etc.)
Do you have any siblings? If you do/did, what are/were they like?
Where do you live now, and with whom?
Describe the place (home and location) and those you live with.
What is your occupation? Has it ever changed drastically? Would you like it to?
What social class do you belong to? Is it the same one you were born into?
When and why do you lie? To whom?
Do you have a motto? If so, what is it?
Do you have any specific habits, quirks, mannerisms, or other defining characteristics?
Which words or phrases do you overuse?

Your Past

How would you describe your childhood?
How educated are you?
Did you enjoy your education? If not, why not? Do you struggle with specific subjects or skills?
Where do you learn most of your skills/abilities?
Do you have any role models? If so, describe them and why they are your role models.
How do you get along with the other members of your family?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What were your favorite activities as a child? Favorite subjects?
When and where was your happiest moment?
Who were your friends when you were younger, and what were they like?
- How are they different from the friends you have now?
Have you ever been kissed? If so, when, and with whom?
Have you had sex? If so, when was the first time you had sex, and with whom?
Describe any notable people or events in your past that have brought you to where you are today.
What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Who has had the most influence on you?
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far, why?
What is your greatest regret so far, and why?
- Has this regret formed you into the person you are today? If so, how and why?
What is the worst thing you have ever done?
Do you have a criminal record?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
What is your best memory so far?
- Why is it so powerful and lasting?
What is your worst memory so far?
- Why is it so powerful and lasting?
What is your biggest secret?
- Does anyone else know about this?
- Which person do you least want to know about this secret, why?

Your Beliefs & Opinions

Are you optimistic or pessimistic, realistic or idealistic?
What is your greatest fear?
- Which other person knows about this fear of yours?
- Who do you not want to know about this fear of yours, and why?
What is your greatest luxury? How do you care for yourself?
What are your religious views, if any?
What are your political views?
What are your views on sex? On love?
Do you believe in the existence of soulmates, twin flames, and/or true love?
In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any sentient being could do?
Are you able to kill another of your species?
- If so, under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
How do you measure success? (Money, career, spouse, children, happiness, etc.)
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings in the company of others?
Do you have any prejudices? If so, what are they and why do you have those specific prejudices?
Who or what would you die for, or otherwise go to extremes for?

Relationships with Others

In general, how do you treat others (politely, as they treat you, kept at a distance, with sarcasm, etc.)?
- Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? When?
How close are you to your family?
Which person do you wish you were closer to?
Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person in your own words.
Have you started your own family? If so, describe them in your own words.
- If not, do you want to start a family? Why or why not?
Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? What do you most value in your friends?
- Describe some basics like their personalities, how you met them, what you have in common, etc.
Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened (love at first sight, unrequited love, ended up marrying him/her, ended with heartbreak, etc.).
What do you look for in a potential romantic or sexual partner?
Who would you turn to if you were desperately in need of help?
Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
Who is the person you despise the most, why?
Do you tend to argue with people or avoid conflict?
Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
Do you care what others think of you? Why or why not?

Likes & Dislikes

What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite food?
What is your most treasured possession?
Do you like to read? If so, what do you like to read?
What do you believe is good entertainment (music, literature, dance, art, etc.)?
Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? How do you get the money for it? Do you want to quit?
How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
What makes you laugh?
What shocks or offends you? How do you respond in such situations?
What makes you happy?
What makes you sad? How do you respond in such situations?
What makes you angry? How do you respond in such situations?
- If you usually walk away from a situation that makes you upset or angry, where do you go to calm yourself?
How do you deal with stress? What is most stressful for you?
How do you deal with pain (physical/emotional)?
Are you spontaneous, or do you always have a plan?
What minor things irritate you?
What quality in a person do you most despise? Why?
What qualities do you like most in people?
Where would you like to live? Why? Why don't you live there now?

Personal

What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
Which talent would you most like to have? Why? What prevents you from getting it?
Do you conform to the norms expected of your place in society (gender, class, race, etc.)? Why or why not?
Do you like yourself?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Are you more introverted or extroverted?
Are you organized or messy?
Name three things you consider yourself to be good at, and three things you consider yourself to be bad at.
What three words best describe your personality?
What three words would others probably use to describe you?
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your life? Are you on track to achieve it?
What do you want to be doing in five years? Ten years? Fifty?
If you could choose, how would you want to die?
If you knew you were going to die in a day, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
If you were to die and come back as a person, animal, or object, what do you think it would be, and why?
What is the one thing you would like to leave behind as your legacy?

Quirky Questions

What do you have in your pockets, purse, or backpack?
What is on your nightstand?
What is in your (refrigerator, larder, replicator menu)?
What do you wear on your feet most often (dress shoes, work boots, high heels, slippers, etc.)? Or do you prefer being barefoot?
What scents do you associate with your childhood, and why?
If you are cleaning out your living space, what is easy for you to throw out?
- What do you have difficulty parting with? Why?

Appearance

The Basics

What color is your hair? Is it natural or dyed?
What texture is your hair? (See chart)
What cut or style do you prefer for your hair?
What color are your eyes? What shape? (See chart)
Do you need visual aids? If so, do you have glasses or contacts?
What is the shape of your face? (See chart)
What is the shape of your nose? (See chart)
What is your skin tone?
Do you have freckles?
Do you wear makeup? If so, do you wear it daily or only on special occasions?
What kind of notable facial features do you have?
Do you have any moles or birthmarks?
Do you have any other physical traits that stand out (such as scars, tattoos, etc.)?
- If you have scars, how did you get them?
- If you have tattoos, why did you get them and what meaning do they have to you?
What does your voice sound like?
Is your skin naturally rough and dry, soft and smooth, or oily and damp?
- What, if anything, do you do to change or encourage this?
Do you often smell good or bad?

The Imperfections

What do you not like about your appearance?
Are you too fat or too skinny? Too tall or too short?
Do you bite your nails?
Do you pick at scabs or acne?
Do people make fun of you because of your appearance? If so, why?

The Clothes

How do you dress? How does your style make you feel?
Do you dress to impress, or do you prioritize comfort or utility?
Do your clothes fit your body well?
What colors do you wear most often?
Does your job have a dress code?
Are your clothes wrinkled, stained, or damaged?
Do you follow trends, or are you uninterested in fashion?
Do you wear any jewelry?

The Habits

What are your eating habits? Have they affected your body in any way?
Do you smoke? If so, how has it affected your body?
Do you drink alcohol? If so, how has it affected your body?
Do you have a drug habit? If so, how has it affected your body?
How active are you on a day to day basis (sedentary, active, athletic, etc.)?
Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
Do you have any rituals or routines that comfort you?

The Body Language

Do you have a straight posture, or do you slump your shoulders?
Are you graceful or clumsy?
Do you move slowly or quickly? What word would best describe your way of moving?
Do you need mobility aids? If you are able to walk, do you have a limp?
What do you do with your hands when you're not using them?

What do you do with your hands when you're speaking?

Which hand do you use primarily (right or left)? Can you use both?
Do you look others in the eye when you talk to them? If not, why not?
Do you use a lot of body language while speaking, or are you more controlled?
Are you reserved, or do you freely express your emotions?

Self-Perception

How would you describe yourself?
What do you love about your appearance?
What do you hate about your appearance?
Is there anything you would want to change about your appearance?
How do you want to be perceived by others?
What kind of person do you strive to be (aesthetically, physically, socially, etc.)?

External Perceptions

How would your peers describe you?
How would your friends describe you?
How would your family describe you?
How would your lover(s) describe you?
How would your children (real or hypothetical) describe you?

Random

What's the lie you tell most often?
How loosely or strictly do you use the word 'friend'?
How often do you show your genuine emotions to others?
What's a hobby you used to have that you miss?
Can you cry on command? If so, what do you think about to make it happen?
What's your favorite thing that you've never recommended to anyone before?
What should I yell in the middle of a crowd to find you?

What would your best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

How loose is your use of the phrase 'I love you'?
Do you give tough love or gentle love most often?

Which do you prefer to receive?

What fact do you excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?
If someone was impersonating you, what would friends or family do to tell the difference?
What's something that makes you laugh every single time? Be specific!
When do you fake a smile? How often?
How do you put out a candle?
What's the most obvious difference between your behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when you're alone?
What kinds of people do you have arguments with in your head?
What do you notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at you?
Who do you love truly, 100% unconditionally (if anyone)?
What would you do if you were stuck in a room with someone you've been avoiding?
Who do you like as a person but hate their work?

Vice a versa, whose work do you like but don't like the person?

What common etiquette do you disagree with? Do you still follow it?
What's a simple activity that most people can do that scares you?
What do you feel guilty for that the other party doesn't even remember?
Did you take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?
What subject do you know a lot about that's completely superfluous to the main plot?
How would you respond to being fired by a good boss?
What's the worst gift you've ever received? How did you respond?
What do you tell people you want? What do you actually want?
How do you respond when someone doesn't believe you?
When you make a mistake and feel guilty about it, does the guilt differ when it's personal versus when it's professional?
When do you feel most guilty? How do you respond to it?
If you committed one petty crime/misdemeanor without consequence, what would it be? Why?
How do you greet someone you dislike/hate?
How do you greet someone you like/love?
What is the smallest morally questionable choice you've made?
Who do you keep in your life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?
What's a secret that you haven't told serious romantic partners and don't plan to tell?
What hobby are you good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?
Would you rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if you were not genuinely wanted there?
How do you respond to a loose handshake? What goes through your mind?
What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did you pick up from someone/somewhere else?
If invited to give a lecture, what topic would you present on? What would the title of your presentation be?
What do you commonly misinterpret because of your own upbringing/environment/biases?

How do you respond when you realize the misunderstanding?
(Consider looking at The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Ackerman & Puglisi for more ideas in this vein.)

What language do you think would be easiest for you to learn? Why?
What's something unimportant/frivolous that you hate passionately?
Are you a listener or a talker?

If you're a listener, what gets you talking?
If you're a talker, what gets you to stop and listen?

Who have you forgotten about who remembers you very well? (Harder to do in interview mode.)
Who would you say yes to if invited to do something you abhor/strongly don't want to do?
Would you eat something you find gross just to be polite?
What belief/moral/personality trait do you stand by that I personally don't agree with?
Do you act on your immediate emotions and impulses, or do you wait for more information before acting?
Who do you believe without question?
What's your instinct in a fight/flight/freeze/fawn situation?
What's something you're expected to enjoy based on your hobbies/profession that you actually dislike/hate?
If you're scared, who do you want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?
What's a simple daily activity that you frequently mess up?
How many hobbies have you attempted to have over your lifetime? Is there a common theme?