#character help

i  love  reading  character  bios  ,  aesthetics  and  traits  and  all  that  fun  stuff  because  they  say  so  much  about  characters  ,  but  sometimes  i  really  struggle  to  come  up  with  unique  ones  that  say  things  about  my  characters.

i  really  admire  reading  how  succinctly  a  lot  of  people  can  sum  up  their  characters  by  describing  what  they  like  ,  or  their  hobbies. 

sooooo !  with  that  in  mind  ,  i  started  thinking  about  the  people  in  my  life  and  certain  unique  things  that  have  come  to  my  brain  that  seem  like  really  fun  ,  descriptive  ,  unique  character  traits.

do  with  them  what  u  will  (  if  anything  !  )

collects keys to unknown doors 

is a master braider, not just of hair but flower stems 

can’t bake but is a great cake decorator 

has a fear of frogs they’re trying to overcome by having 2 pet frogs 

can shuffle a deck of cards exceptionally well 

can make a decent meal out of any 3 random ingredients 

can’t drive a car but can ride a bike 

likes crushed cans / squashed coins/ pressed flowers etc 

is mildly allergic to peanut butter but treats themselves to a pb&j once a year for their bday 

doesn’t shave or wax but threads every inch of hair off their body 

carries around a mini hair brush and uses it religiously 

knows 20 different ways to cook an egg 

prefers going to the movies by themselves then with friends 

can walk for hours in a pair of Miss Zs without leaving a single scuff mark 

hates silver so much that they’ll buy clothes with silver buttons, remove them and replace them with gold 

uses leafs as bookmarks 

doesn’t need a recipe to cook/ bake 

only reads poems from poets who’ve killed themselves  

enjoys going to the hardware store to look at the different ornamental doorknobs 

buys books just to break the spines, spill coffee, and dog ear pages 

only eats cut fruit , never whole fruit

only writes with pencils that have erasers on the other end 

is an excellent drawer but hates doing it 

is a collector of collections 

had sex before they’d had their first kiss 

always leaves two sips behind in any drink they’re having 

doesn’t like needles but loves tattoos / is a tattoo artist 

raps in their sleep. cannot rap outside of that. 

gives hand written cards to everyone about anything 

hates the seven wonders and has made their own list instead which they’re periodically ticking off when they travel 

never wears long sleeve shirts or brings a jacket 

owns posters but never hangs them up 

draws freckles and moles on their face 

only owns black underwear 

likes to carve, label, embroider and engrave everything they own.

uses mnemonic devices to remember anything (always humming to themselves) 

knows how every animal on earth has sex 

makes all their homeware in pottery classes (poorly) 

always sneezes 4 times in a row 

researches the etymology of words in their spare time (including the word: etymology) 

always signs their signature with a smiley face 

can read arabic letters but can’t speak the language 

every plate / bowl / vase they own has a chip in it 

has a different phone case per day of the week 

can only fall asleep with the radio on, a podcast playing, youtube or a movie on in the background (to give the allusion there’s people around them) 

has a lot of followers on letterboxd/goodreads 

is an expert with a butterfly knife 

taught themselves to be ambidextrous 

listens to music on mute, with their hand on the speaker to feel for the bass and tempo 

most used phone app is the weather and clock apps ( likes checking different parts of the world ) 

What's the lie your character says most often?

How loosely or strictly do they use the word 'friend'?

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

What's a hobby they used to have that they miss?

Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

What's their favorite [insert anything] that they've never recommended to anyone before?

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

What's something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

When do they fake a smile? How often?

How do they put out a candle?

What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they're alone?

What kinds of people do they have arguments with in their head?

What do they notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at them?

Who do they love truly, 100% unconditionally (if anyone)?

What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they've been avoiding?

Who do they like as a person but hate their work? Vice versa, whose work do they like but don't like the person?

What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

What simple activity that most people do / can do scares your character?

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?

What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

How would they respond to being fired by a good boss?

What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

When they make a mistake and feel bad, does the guilt differ when it’s personal versus when it’s professional?

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

If they committed one petty crime / misdemeanor, what would it be? Why?

How do they greet someone they dislike / hate?

How do they greet someone they like / love?

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

Who do they keep in their life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?

What’s a secret they haven’t told serious romantic partners and don’t plan to tell?

What hobby are they good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did they pick up from someone / somewhere else?

If invited to a TED Talk, what topic would they present on? What would the title of their presentation be?

What do they commonly misinterpret because of their own upbringing / environment / biases? How do they respond when realizing the misunderstanding?

What language would be easiest for them to learn? Why?

What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

Who would they say ‘yes’ to if invited to do something they abhorred / strongly didn’t want to do?

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

What’s a phrase they say a lot?

Do they act on their immediate emotions, or do they wait for the facts before acting?

Who would / do they believe without question?

What’s their instinct in a fight / flight / freeze / fawn situation?

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

If they’re scared, who do they want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?

What’s a simple daily activity / motion that they mess up often?

under the cut, you’ll find a total of 102 hobbies your character could have. if you find this post useful, please consider giving it a like / reblog ♡♡ happy writing!

BASICS

Full  Name:

Known  Alias(es):

Age:

Gender:

Birthday:

Heritage:

Religion:

Sexual  &  Romantic  Orientation:

Status:  (Alive,  deceased,  missing,  verse-dependent,  etc.)

Residencies:  (List  properties,  safe  houses,  or  frequently  visited  locations.)

Highest  Education  Level:

Occupation(s):  (Primary  career,  side  ventures,  or  any  criminal  affiliations.)

The Character Development Template is a comprehensive tool for creating detailed and well-rounded character profiles, ideal for writers, roleplayers, or anyone exploring character creation. It covers essential details like identity, personality traits, relationships, and background while diving deeper into habits, quirks, and beliefs. Additional sections include alternate universes, scenario-based questions, and a variety of fun, introspective prompts to uncover hidden aspects of your character. The template also provides space to list inspirations from media, historical figures, and quotes, making it a versatile resource for building dynamic, multidimensional characters.

Secret Ideas for Characters

They are in active addiction.

They overcame addiction but no one knows they were addicted to begin with.

Someone at home is abusing / assaulting them.

A co-worker is abusing / assaulting them.

A friend is abusing / assaulting them.

A teacher or boss is abusing / assaulting them.

Their actual friends are secret because of how others might perceive that character for hanging around them.

They cheated on a major final exam.

They escaped a major legal sentence by paying off the judge beforehand.

They bought a really expensive item just to feel cool.

They have children.

They have a partner / lover.

They are cheating on said partner / lover with someone the lover knows.

They are cheating on said partner / lover with a total stranger.

They've paid for illicit services.

They don't feel remorse or guilt for their actions.

They don't feel happiness.

They don't experience romantic attraction.

They don't experience sexual attraction.

They have no real desire for friendships or external relationships.

They hate everyone and prefer solitude.

They enjoy committing crimes.

They are just as obsessed with the popular boy band as everyone else.

They're searching for a new parent to curb their parental issues.

They'd kill the person who loves them most.

They enjoy the most abhorrent music anyone has ever heard.

Their workplace / school is safer than their home.

They killed and misdiagnosed people on purpose while working as a medical professional.

They've been in an on-and-off relationship for over a few years.

They are the reason their (family member) is dead.

They've poisoned someone and got away with it.

They got intimate with someone to climb up the job ranks.

There is intimate footage of them on the internet.

They've served as or are actively a government spy in another nation.

They've assaulted / abused someone and experienced remorse.

They've assaulted / abused someone and have no remorse.

Their friends are actively bullying them but they don't realize it.

Their co-workers are actively bullying them but they don't realize it.

Their family is actively bullying them but they don't realize it.

They've failed a student on purpose because of bias.

They've yelled at or hit a student before.

They've attempted to seduce a police officer.

They successfully seduced a police officer.

They used to work dirty, societally unacceptable jobs just to make ends meet.

They grew up poor but are now rich.

They grew up rich but are now poor.

They do graffiti and their tag is all over the city.

They are very mentally unsound.

They are very physically unwell.

They are no longer religious but must present as such to others.

They identify with a different gender but must present themselves as cisgender to others.

They identify with a different sexuality but must present themselves as heterosexual to others.

They regularly "steal" library books and forget to pay the library fees.

They're their sibling.

They're their father.

They're their mother.

They're their grandmother.

They're their grandfather.

They're their aunt.

They're their uncle.

They are actually not alive and never have been.

They came from another world but adapted well to the current one.

They frequently move homes and change their identities wherever they go.

They've faked their own death and gotten away with it.

They're a member of a secret elite society.

They have discriminatory beliefs that they hide well.

They have magical powers that are a gift.

They have magical powers that are a curse.

They met their biological parents and regret it.

They hate their adoptive parents.

They've had an abortion at a young age.

They almost didn't survive the birth of their child.

They are adopted and they knew the whole time.

They are adopted but still have no idea.

They have tattoos in inappropriate places.

They were a runaway.

They were a throwaway (a kid thrown out of their home).

They ran away once but were caught and forced to return home.

They used to be in an obscure band.

Their children are all adopted and they haven't told them.

Their children are all adopted and they know.

They've inherited a genetic condition just like the rest of the family but have presented no symptoms.

They threw away or damaged the family heirloom.

They abandoned everyone who ever loved them.

They enjoy dangerous hobbies such as blood art but know people would freak out if they shared about it.

A friend is stealing their finances and income.

A family member is stealing their finances and income.

A lover is stealing their finances and income.

They are trapped in an abusive marriage.

They are in an abusive relationship.

They tend to ignore red flags when dating.

They come from royalty and refuse to associate with their relatives.

They saw their child die in front of them.

They don't experience empathy.

They are actually homeless and living in their car.

They follow extreme diets to try to lose weight.

They overeat religiously to try to gain weight.

Their coping mechanism is substances.

They can't function without caffeine.

magazine perfume samples

a kazoo

a harmonica

shaped sticky notes

an old mp3 player

nail glue

a magic 8 ball

a magic conch

silly bandz

a vintage compact mirror

a variety of gum packs

funky hair clips

uno

silky hair ties

a clown nose

balloons

plastic vampire teeth

a full pandora charm bracelet

tarot cards

a gameboy

a deck of playing cards

a zippo lighter

a fidget spinner / fidget cube

an old movie theater / concert ticket

a tape recorder

neon duct tape

a bedazzler

glitter eyeshadow

used giftcards

a painted housekey

costume jewelry

tangled headphones

a sticker covered skateboard

a stamp book

a tiny tin carrier

mini plastic ducks

a crushed pack of cigarettes

funky pens