13 Character Building Questions

Aside from being a reader I'm also an aspiring writer. I've been thinking a lot about writing because of Camp NaNoWriMo (if you don't know what that is, it's basically where you have to try to write 50,000 words in the month of July) and one of the problems I've been facing is giving my characters depth.

I think this GIF summarises the writing process perfectly.

I've been asking myself these questions for a while, and considering it's Camp NaNo I thought I'd share them with any other writers out there. I'm sure you've all seen those character sheets which ask you what your characters favourite colour is or what the name of their first pet was. I don't use those personally, but the questions that I've gathered tell you more about a character than you'd initially think.

1. What item would your character hide their Horcrux in? 

Asking this question shows whether your character would react logically and think of something indestructible or hard to find, or whether they're a more emotional person and would choose something they have strong emotional attachment to.

2. Which of the Deathly Hallows would they pick? 

You could have three very different characters who are mourning over the same person. One may be more logical and choose the cloak even if it means never seeing their friend again. Another may choose the wand to take vengeance on the killer of their friend, whilst the final person may choose the stone so they could see them again. This just shows you how they'd react to an awful situation.

3. What Hogwarts house are they in?

This is kind of self explanatory but I can't be the only one whose done sorting tests for all my characters.

4. Which of the seven deadly sins are they least likely to forgive?

Someone who is less likely to forgive lust is very different from someone who loathes envy. Asking this gives a deeper level to your characters

5. Which of the seven deadly sins are they most guilty of?

Both this an the previous question also show what they’d be willing to forgive or not, and how they’d make decisions. It could be interesting if the sin they're least likely to forgive is the one they're most guilty of.

6. What would be their weapon of choice?

Are they someone who wouldn't mind the risk of a knife fight, or would they prefer to keep their distance and opt for a bow? Are they a bit of a show off and would choose the most extravagant weapon despite its impracticality, or would they choose something simple?

7. What would they vote for in the next election?

Someone’s voting choice tells a lot about them. You could also ask how they came to that decision—would they spend hours researching, do what a family member did, or would they pick at random? Also, someone who chooses not to vote is likely very different from someone who is very politically engaged. Things like this help you work out how your character makes decisions and what they stand for.

8. What would they do in the Hunger Games?

Would they come up with a strategy, or would they be too emotionally unstable to do anything? How well would they predict they'd do, and what would their family members think? It’s not so much about if they would win but more so how they would act, and the decisions they would make. It shows you how they react to difficult and stressful situations, too.

9. What would their reaction be if they found out their partner cheated on them?

This isn’t so much about the cheating but about their reactions. Very different people would do different things whether it be plot revenge, pretend not to care or eat a whole tub of ice cream. Would they forgive or develop instant loathing? Cheating is just an example but if you ask yourself this it would show how they deal with things not going right.

10. What books do they like?

Assuming they like to read, someone's taste in books can tell a lot about them. If your character craves escapism and adventure, they may read more fantasy books than someone who is a hopeless romantic. 

11. Would they kill someone in order to save a loved one?

Asking this shows how far they'd go to get what they want. It doesn't say how much they love someone, rather what they'd do about it. 

12. If they liked someone romantically, would they tell them?

If they have a fear of rejection, likely not. This mostly shows how your character handles their emotions. 

13. If they were against a certain organisation (e.g. Government), would they do anything about it? If so, would they form a rebellion, take it down from the inside, or protest peacefully?

Again, this shows how they'd react to a difficult situation but also how they think. Someone who is logical and intelligent would make one choice whilst a physically strong army brute would do something different.

Personally I find these questions more useful than some other ones on the internet. They say more about your character than what their favourite film is, for example. So, do you have any questions you find useful when building characters?