Character Template Sheets

S.R. Beaston

Crafty with words, wit, and wisdom, just add caffeine to make it more interesting.

I will say this same thing every time it comes up: Characters are the most important aspect of writing. You can have a bad story with good characters and get away with it, but a good story with bad characters? I cannot fathom it. 
Of course that’s my opinion, but if you are here to make your characters stronger, then hopefully you agree. We are not told a story through the environment and plot of the story. We are most often told through a character, so here is a character template I have built and molded throughout years of talking to other writers, watching podcasts, and listening to great questions to better form them.
General InformationHere is the basic information and where I see some newer writers start and stop their planning. These are the basics, the shallow bits. Yes you want your character to look cool/hot/aesthetically pleasing, but these aspects are to help you further explain their character. These are not meant to "define" your character. 
Name: (Name used throughout the story. Should be the first name the reader sees upon intro)
Nickname: (Be frugal with nicknames. Readers tend to not like them)
Age: (Range is fine: Child/teen/young adult/adult)
Gender: (Matters if it’s first person. You want the reader to have an image pretty soon. I thought Hunger Games had a male protagonist for most of the first chapter)
Race: (Matters if this is a conflict in the story)
Height: (Can be clued in by looking up or down at other people)
Build: (Notes strength or lack thereof)
Intellect: (Sets expectations for the reader early on)
Keep in mind all of this information is for YOU first. The way you put it into the story should be sprinkled in as needed and not info-dumped.
PhysicalityHere we focus on the more nuanced aspect of their physical being. This is only for you to note, as knowing more of every character helps with their interactions in the book. You might see some of these and wonder why it matters…but it certainly does if you are in fantasy. 
Accent: (Accents can define a person's culture and where they are from. Can also be a conflict or interest to other characters.)
Hair Length: (Simple description)
Hair Color: (Simple description)
Eye Shape: (Can be interesting in fantasy or if not one of the common shapes)
Eye Color: (Simple description - unless fantastical)
Pupil: (Only matters if they are not normal)
Physical Ability: (If there’s a physical attribute that exceeds the norm, keep it in mind here.)
Skin Texture: (Usually less important unless it’s fantastical or something happened)
Skin Tone: (Can demonstrate age)
Marks/Tats/Scars: (Only mention if it’s story relevant. No one wants to read about all 40 of your biker MC’s tats)
EmotionalityOn a scale of 1-5 or 1-10, choose the number that best suits this specific character's emotionality. You will want to do this three times: Once at the start of the story, once at the middle, and once at the end. When you decide to do it is up to you. You can assume all three states of being before you write or fill the last two out as you write, but you want to see what changes. The point is, some of these should change. Your characters need to grow with the story. Rate this as if you met and spent some time with this character. 
Rudeness: 
Kindness:
Depressed:
Joyful:
Sarcastic/Guarded:
Caring:
Charming:
Awkward:
Manipulative:
Unhinged:
Talents / Traits / PowersThis covers the gambit of genres you might have for your story. If they are not applicable, don’t stress. This is just information for you to keep on your characters. 
Weapons: (Chekhov's gun. If you introduce it, be sure to use it.)
Traits: (Personality that makes them them)
Talents: (Abilities that are honed in and trained. Could be proficient on an instrument or able to wield fire, etc)
Magic/Power: (If magic is in your story, gauge what magic would benefit this person. If magic is not in your story, use this space for any interesting spiritual aspects they may have)
The QuestionnaireThis is where you will have all the information you could want about your character. Here, there will be a small section of "fill in the blank" for your character, followed by questions as though you are interviewing them. 
This provides information that you likely didn’t think about before building this character. These questions can be molded to better fit your narrative (mine has questions about monasteries, what gods they believe in, and deserts, for instance) so tweak for your needs. Know that most of this information should not show up in your novel, but gives a better reason as to why your characters are doing what they are doing. 
I have gathered these questions from various parts of life and the internet, as well as made my own, so you may have heard of some of these before.
I was raised in - ?
My childhood was - ?
My parents were - ?
I was educated at/by - ?
In my youth, people said I was - ?
I have always been afraid of - ?
I have always excelled at - ?
I have always regretted my decision to - ?
When it comes to spirituality, I believe - ?
Most people say I come off as being - ?
Deep down, I am really - ?
I have always wanted to - ?
I have never told anyone about - ?
I am driven by my desire to - ?
What’s something you are expected to enjoy based on your hobbies or work, but actually hate doing? 
What’s your response in a fight, flight, or freeze situation?
Do you act on your immediate emotions or do you wait for more facts?
What’s a phrase you say a lot and try to use less to avoid being annoying?
What’s the lie you say most often?
How loosely or strictly do you apply the word ‘friend’?
How often do you show your true emotions to others versus hiding them?
If you’re scared, who do you want comfort from? Does this change depending on the type of fear?
Can you cry on command and if so, what do you think about to make it happen?
What’s your favorite ‘anything’ that you’ve never recommended to anyone before?
What would your best friend and romantic partner yell in the middle of a crowd to find you?
How loose is your use of the sentence "I love you"?
Do you give gentle or tough love more often? Which would you prefer to receive?
What fact do you excitedly tell everyone about?
What would you sacrifice almost anything to have?
What wouldn’t you sacrifice?
What would you sacrifice almost anything to not happen?
What wouldn’t you sacrifice?
What event made you a better person?
How did it change you?
What event made you a worse person?
How did it change you?
Something recently changed your life, what happened?
Following this change, you woke from a nightmare, what did you dream?
One belief
Moral line
Character BioThis is where you go all out on their back story. You want to know their life at least 6 months before the story begins, but I advise that your MC and Villain have a little more than that. The Questionnaire should help. 
And that’s it! The most in depth character template I’ve personally involved myself in. I found these questions helpful for all my characters and actually had it solve a really difficult problem with my villain. Feel free to revisit the questions periodically as you are writing to see "where are they now". Character growth and change is unavoidable (at least it’s supposed to be), so you’d be surprised how different their answers can be.

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Character Template Sheets

S.R. Beaston

General Information

Physicality

Emotionality

Talents / Traits / Powers

The Questionnaire

Character Bio

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