It's a great idea for you, the author, to try and get to know your characters before you begin writing. NaNoWriMo asked a team of scientists, mathematicians, and creative writing gurus from around the world: "What's the easiest way for writers to get to know their characters?" Hands down, the experts all agreed the single best way is to fill out a Character Questionnaire for all your characters. Consistency is a sign of a thoroughly thought-out character. So if you decide that a character hates the color blue and that her favorite thing is her blue wedding dress, you'll need to either fix the inconsistency or explain it. CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE SECTION ONE: COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR ALL YOUR CHARACTERS! 1. Name: 2. Age: 3. Height: 4. Eye color: 5. Physical appearance: 6. Strange or unique physical attributes: 7. Favorite clothing style/outfit: 8. Where does this character live (for example, New York City, Antarctica, International Space Station)? What is it like there? 9. Defining gestures/movements (for example, curling lip when speaking, always keeping eyes on the ground, etc.): 10. Things about this character appearance that this character would most like to change: 11. Speaking style (for example, fast, talkative, monotone, etc.): 12. Pet peeves: 13. Fondest memory: 14. Hobbies/interests: 15. Special skills/abilities: 16. Insecurities: 17. Quirks/eccentricities: 18. Temperament (for example, easygoing, easily angered, etc.): 19. Negative traits: 20. Things that upset this character: 21. Things that embarrass this character: 22. This character is highly opinionated about: 23. Any phobias? 24. Things that make this character happy: 25. Family (describe): 26. Deepest, darkest secret: 27. Reason this character has kept this secret for so long: 28. Other people's opinions of this character (What do people like about this character? What do they dislike about this character?): 29. Favorite bands/songs/type of music: 30. Favorite movies: 31. Favorite TV shows: 32. Favorite books: 33. Favorite foods: 34. Favorite sports/sports teams: 35. Political views: 36. Religion/philosophy of life: 37. Physical health: 38. Dream vacation: 39. Description of this character's house: 40. Description of this character's bedroom: 41. Any pets? 42. Best thing that has ever happened to this character: 43. Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: 44. Superstitions: 45. Three words to describe this character: 46. If a song played every time this character walked into the room, what song would it be? SECTION TWO: SUPPORTING CHARACTER/MINION QUESTIONS 1. Relationship to the protagonist/antagonist: 2. Favorite thing about the protagonist/antagonist: 3. Similarities to protagonist/antagonist: 4. Differences from protagonist/antagonist: SECTION THREE: ANTAGONIST QUESTIONS 1. Why is this character facing off against the protagonist? 2. Any likeable traits? 3. Weaknesses: SECTION FOUR: ABSTRACT ANTAGONIST 1. What is your abstract antagonist? (for example, a disease like cancer, a social ill like poverty, an overwhelming emotion like grief, an oppressive system of autocratic rule) 2. How is this antagonist affecting the protagonist? 3. Do other characters notice? How does this antagonist affect the other people in your novel? SECTION FIVE: BIO 1. Write a short "bio" for your character using the information above: