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Blog Post

26
AUG
2016

Assignment #3: Character Questionnaires

Tags : homework, PitchWars, tips for new writers, writing
Posted By : Brighton
Comments : 60

In case you missed the first two assignments I posted last year, you can find them on my blog. Assignment 1 is on beat sheets (super important for everyone, as I’ve yet to have a mentee who didn’t need help in some form with pacing. It’s a very common problem.) and assignment 2 is on finding a CP (also super important so you can find your tribe). For this assignment, we’re going to talk a little bit about character questionnaires. What they are, how they work, and why you need them.

character questionnaireWhat are they?

They’re pretty simple. It’s a list of questions you answer as your character. If you google character questionnaires, you’ll find loads of examples on questions you can use. I have a total of 300+ questions covering almost twenty pages. Yes, it’s a lot, but it has always helped me get in the mind of my characters. I use Scrivener and a couple years ago tackled the project to break them down into categories for ease of finding the answers I need at a later time.

How do they work?

The idea is to answer the questions rapid style (remember playing the word association game by saying the first thing that came to mind? That’s exactly what you’re doing here.). You don’t want to think about how your character would answer it; you just want to answer it. Another cool tidbit: the questions you leave unanswered sometimes tell as much about the characters as their actual answers do.

Why do you need them?

For one major reason: deeper and more consistent POV. If you know your character inside and out (which you will by the time you’re done answering these), you’ll have an easier time portraying that on the page and you won’t get as easily stuck when you come to a part in the book in which you’re not sure how your character would react.

I fill this out for my hero and my heroine in every single book I write. It’s a lifesaver for me and allows me to fast draft novels because I’m so in tune with how my characters think and act.

Any questions? Leave me a comment or head over to Twitter and fire away. And if any of you are super hardcore, Type A writers and want my ridiculously long character questionnaire, leave me a comment with your email and I’ll send it along. For the rest of you, just google “character questionnaires” and combine/cut/edit till your heart’s content to get something that works for you.

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About the Author
Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible.

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60 Comments

  1. Avatar
    Jessica Holt August 28, 2017 at 12:46 pm Reply

    Hi Brighton, I’d love a copy of your questionnaire! authorjessicaholt (at) gmail.com

  2. Avatar
    Barb Curtis August 27, 2017 at 7:27 am Reply

    I’d love a copy, Brighton. I’ve been searching for the perfect one!
    barbacurtis@gmail.com

  3. Avatar
    ReLynn August 11, 2017 at 2:30 pm Reply

    I would love to get a copies of these. Thank you for being generous with them! relynnvaughnwrites@gmail.com

  4. Avatar
    Elizabeth Zane August 9, 2017 at 2:35 pm Reply

    Hi Brighton! I would love to get your questionnaire. I am starting a new MS, and have been looking for one that is extensive. Thanks so much for being such a great help and resource for other authors! I’ve learned so much from you!

  5. Avatar
    Samantha Martin August 9, 2017 at 1:48 pm Reply

    I’d love a copy of the questionnaire! my email is sammartin597@gmail.com

    Thank you so much!

  6. Avatar
    Kenzie Kelly July 11, 2017 at 3:02 pm Reply

    Are you still sharing your character questionnaire? I would love a copy! Thanks so much! kenzielkelly@gmail.com

  7. Avatar
    Cathie Armstrong November 6, 2016 at 12:26 am Reply

    If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m pretty type A. I’d love your questionnaire. charmstrongbooks@gmail.com.

    Thanks much!

  8. Avatar
    Kelsey September 10, 2016 at 7:29 am Reply

    I would love a copy, please and thank you! My email is kelseyford824@gmail.com.

  9. Avatar
    Rayna September 9, 2016 at 10:06 pm Reply

    Can I have a copy please? My email is raynareveur (at) gmail.com. Thanks for sharing!

  10. Avatar
    Zoe September 7, 2016 at 3:40 pm Reply

    Hi, I’d love a copy of your character questionnaire if you’re still sending them out. My email is: zoe at zoeashwood dot com.
    Thank you!

  11. Avatar
    Sherry Howard August 30, 2016 at 1:30 pm Reply

    I’d love copy if its not too late! So many people have complimented it. Thanks! sherryhoward0@gmail.com

  12. Avatar
    ReLynn Vaughn August 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm Reply

    I’d also love a copy please! relynnvaughnwrites at gmail

    Thanks!

  13. Avatar
    Hayden Sharpe August 30, 2016 at 7:33 am Reply

    Character questionnaire? Yes please!

  14. Avatar
    Mehr Lee August 29, 2016 at 11:03 pm Reply

    Hope I’m not too late to get in on this!!!

  15. Avatar
    Kara Leigh Miller August 29, 2016 at 5:29 pm Reply

    Oh, oh, me. ME! karaleighmiller@gmail.com

    Thank you 🙂

  16. Avatar
    Christie Pettus August 29, 2016 at 4:19 pm Reply

    If it’s not too late, I’d love to have this! pettus2@icloud.com

  17. Avatar
    A.Y. Chao August 29, 2016 at 3:37 pm Reply

    Hi Brighton,

    I’d love a copy of your questionnaire. Many thanks for sharing!

  18. Avatar
    Ruby August 29, 2016 at 2:23 pm Reply

    This sounds so helpful! I would love a copy.

  19. Avatar
    kit grant August 29, 2016 at 2:14 pm Reply

    ME ME ME!!! Thanks Brighton!

  20. Avatar
    Tina August 29, 2016 at 2:07 pm Reply

    Hey Brighton, I’d love to take a gander at your character sheet! My email is as follows: tina_crossgrove@hotmail.com

  21. Avatar
    Katy Brooke August 29, 2016 at 1:56 pm Reply

    I would love a copy of your questionnaire when you send out the next batch. Thanks! kbrookemt(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. Avatar
    Emily Pichardo August 29, 2016 at 1:40 pm Reply

    Is it too late to get a questionnaire? I’ve been away from my computer the past couple of days and saw this. I would love one if you could send it!!!

  23. Avatar
    Kortney August 29, 2016 at 8:47 am Reply

    Hi Brighton! I’d love to see your questionnaire! Thanks for all your insight 🙂

  24. Avatar
    Brittany Tucker August 28, 2016 at 10:41 pm Reply

    Me please!
    brittanyanne1989 (at) hotmail(dot)com

  25. Avatar
    Elle August 28, 2016 at 9:08 pm Reply

    I’d love to have a copy. My email address is wordsonsimmer@gmail.com.

  26. Avatar
    Mary August 28, 2016 at 1:44 am Reply

    I’d love to see this questionnaire! My address is mary.dunbar.writer@gmail.com.

  27. Avatar
    Keli Vice August 27, 2016 at 10:16 pm Reply

    I’d love to see your character questionnaire! Keli.vice (at) vicecommunications.com. Thank you!

  28. Avatar
    Tina August 27, 2016 at 7:01 pm Reply

    If you’re still sharing, I would love a copy. This is my big challenge for editing currently!

  29. Avatar
    Bethany Simonsen August 27, 2016 at 3:37 pm Reply

    Sign me up too! My characters need more meat on their bones. bethanyr32 (dot) editing (at) gmail dot com.

  30. Avatar
    Corneil August 27, 2016 at 2:21 pm Reply

    Yes, please! Vacircac at hotmail dot com. Question: You said you answer all for hero and heroine. Are there some questions you consider vital for asking other minor characters? How about the antagonist/villain?

    • Avatar
      Brighton August 29, 2016 at 1:34 pm Reply

      Hi! I only fill one out for my hero and heroine, but that’s because I write romance between only two people. If I were writing, say, an epic fantasy, I’d probably want to fill one out for all main characters and possibly the antagonist. It’s really up to you. You can do it for as many or as few as you want, and you can answer as many or as few questions for each of them.

  31. Avatar
    Elizabeth W Gibson August 27, 2016 at 12:55 pm Reply

    Forgot to leave my Addy. Thanks again. ewgibson@earthlink.net

  32. Avatar
    Kimberley Bailey August 27, 2016 at 12:17 pm Reply

    I would love a copy. My email address is yurishijo@yahoo.com.

  33. Avatar
    Despina August 27, 2016 at 12:12 pm Reply

    I would love a copy. despina s karras at gmail dot com. Thanks so much! =)

  34. Avatar
    Kirk Kraft August 27, 2016 at 11:50 am Reply

    Deal me in, Brighton, kraftka (at) frontier (dot) com

  35. Avatar
    Vicki Cooke August 27, 2016 at 11:41 am Reply

    I would love a copy of this. Please email it to VLCooke@mail.com Thank you.

  36. Avatar
    Tara August 27, 2016 at 11:41 am Reply

    Vicariouslyaware at gmail, thanks so much for sharing!

  37. Avatar
    Lisa Leoni August 27, 2016 at 10:49 am Reply

    I’d love a copy! Thank you so much for sharing! lisa (at) lisaleoni (dot) com

  38. Avatar
    Jodi Vorwald August 27, 2016 at 10:43 am Reply

    Hi Brighton, I would love a copy of your questionnaire. My email is jodiv@mhtc.net. Thank you so much!! You are awesome to share!

  39. Avatar
    Heather August 27, 2016 at 10:43 am Reply

    I would also love a copy! Thanks for doing this. Really awesome. Email: hcarpenter2@yahoo.com.

  40. Avatar
    Tricia McKee August 27, 2016 at 9:18 am Reply

    Hey Brighton, would love to have a copy of yours for future reference since they sound so..uhum…thorough. tmckee067@att.net

  41. Avatar
    Ann Marjory August 27, 2016 at 8:26 am Reply

    You know I want to take a gander at your character questionnaires…

  42. Avatar
    Leila August 27, 2016 at 1:03 am Reply

    I’d love a questionnaire if you’re still sending them out. Thanks! 🙂 lloicles(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. Avatar
    Kelly August 26, 2016 at 11:31 pm Reply

    Would love to have one! Thanks! 🙂 Email is darkdragonsflame@yahoo.com

  44. Avatar
    Christie Megill August 26, 2016 at 11:28 pm Reply

    Thank you so much! I would love to have a copy of yours. My email is christiemegill@gmail.com

  45. Avatar
    Sara August 26, 2016 at 10:56 pm Reply

    I would love a copy. Thanks for the tips.

    Sara.jennifer.lee@gmail.com

  46. Avatar
    Elizabeth August 26, 2016 at 9:41 pm Reply

    Me! Me! Please and thank you. I’d love your questionnaire.

  47. Avatar
    Sara August 26, 2016 at 9:13 pm Reply

    I’d love a copy of the questionnaire. Thanks in advance. saracmetz@gmail.com

  48. Avatar
    Elizabeth A August 26, 2016 at 9:13 pm Reply

    I’d love the questionnaire!
    Redeemedbyhim(at)gmail(dot)com

  49. Avatar
    Julia August 26, 2016 at 8:45 pm Reply

    me me me, if it’s not too late! jbeemills@hotmail.com

  50. Avatar
    Talynn Lynn August 26, 2016 at 8:34 pm Reply

    Ink in the book at gmail dot com

  51. Avatar
    Talynn Lynn August 26, 2016 at 8:14 pm Reply

    I would love a copy of this, as my mentor has me working on character and adding a new POV!
    Ink in the book at gmail dot com

    Thank you!!

  52. Avatar
    Crystal August 26, 2016 at 7:59 pm Reply

    Hi Brighton! Thanks so much for sharing. Could you send me yours? My email is cseitz23 (at) gmail.com

  53. Avatar
    Amanda Siegrist August 26, 2016 at 7:51 pm Reply

    I will take one. Thank you so much!

    amanda.siegrist@yahoo.com

  54. Avatar
    Caroline McLannahan August 26, 2016 at 3:35 pm Reply

    Would love to receive it!

  55. Avatar
    sher August 26, 2016 at 3:34 pm Reply

    dare i ask to join in the chorus asking for your questionnaire?

    • Avatar
      sher August 26, 2016 at 6:38 pm Reply

      wrekehavoc AT gmail DOT com thanks!

  56. Avatar
    Lonna Seibert August 26, 2016 at 1:26 pm Reply

    Would you pretty please send me yours? Twitter kindly suggested you might! 🙂 lonnaseibert@yahoo.com

  57. Avatar
    Lauren Little August 26, 2016 at 1:21 pm Reply

    My email is lelittle13@gmail.com. Thanks!

  58. Avatar
    Kelley August 26, 2016 at 12:48 pm Reply

    *raises hand* I would LOVE to see your questionnaire. I have one that I’ve cut/pasted together but I hate it. (Thank you for sharing!)

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