Character Development Exercises

Developing your character

1.Write ten 'factual' statements about your character, then ten lies, then ten odd/bizarre statements.

He's tall
He likes gardening
His mother is Irish
He works as a driver
He's generous
He's a good father
He's fun to go out partying with
He drinks too much
He lost his driving license
He has a dog

He's ugly
He bites his nails
He's a good listener
He has lots of friends
He's overweight
Appearance doesn't matter to him
He drives a BMW
He's having counselling
He never wanted children
He plays golf

His partner sings him lullabies at night
He rides a King and Queen Harley Davison
He collects seashells
He buys heather from gypsies
He lives in a caravan by the sea
He only has a bath when there's an R in the month
He wears shorts in winter
He washes his hair in beer
His dog sleeps in his bed and vice versa
He eats lug-worms

2. Write a back-story - very important

Gender
Race
Social class
How many siblings
Parents' relationship
Neighbourhood
Health/disability
Religion
Level of education
IQ
Special abilities
Age
Marital status
How many (if any) children
Sexuality
Political views
Appearance
Habits
Fears/ phobias
What s/he gets upset about
What s/he gets excited about
What s/he really dislikes in other people
What s/he admires in others

3. Give your character a few contradictory traits.
The thoughtful one - see, I remembered you said you liked this.
The attentive one - I want to spend some quality time with you - see how I'm noticing your presence and want to get close.
The humble one - I hear your criticism and I will take it on board.
The boastful one - look at me, I've achieved something, I want praise.
The bad-tempered one - I haven't eaten / haven't got any money / haven't had sex.
The self-pitying one - I wish I knew where I went wrong. Why aren't I achieving? Why doesn't anyone love me?

4. If your character were an animal, which one would s/he be, and why?
a piece of music
food
a building.

5. In which ways would your character behave differently when interacting with -
boss
friend
neighbour
lover
and so on

6. Write a short poem in your character's voice

- and if you're familiar with Zodiac star signs (even if you don't believe in them), assign one to your character. It will help to round him/her out. For example - a Virgo is said to be independent, well-ordered, stylish, a worrier and a perfectionist with a cool exterior!