Filling in the Character Chart
1. Open the Word document where Character Chart is pasted.
2. Save as (first characters' name) for your story - Character 1 if you are stuck and rename later.
3. Insert Blank page click 8 times. (This is for font size of 12)
4. Pasted in total 9 pages.
5. Check you have 9 pages
6. Go to first page
7. Click cursor at top of page
8. Go to Insert tab at top of doc
9. Click on tiny arrow under Table
10. Click on Insert Table
11. Enter number of Columns - 2
13. Enter number rows - 360
14. Click autofit to contents
15. OK
Your Character Chart should now have skinny two columns through all 9 pages.
The number of pages needed, will depend on your font size. Make this to suit yourself.
To organise your table
1. Click View tab (along top) and Click > Ruler box. A ruler appears at top of document.
2. Click inside table.
3. Hover your cursor over the right vertical line of the chart until you see a double vertical line with arrow pointing to either side.
4. Click on right vertical line, hold and pull it out to about 15 on the ruler.
5. Hover your cursor over the middle vertical line of the chart until you see a double line with arrow pointing to either side.
6. Click on middle vertical line, hold and pull it out to about 5 on the ruler.
You can alter the chart to suit your needs by doing the above.
You are now ready to enter the Character Attributes below into your Microsoft Word Character Template.
Make sure your Word Document is open and ready with your cursor blinking in the first cell of the left column.
7. Come back to http://characterchart.blogspot.com.au/ Character Chart Attributes.
8. Highlight from Name to the end of the page.
9. Copy (right click - copy )
10. Go back to your Word Doc, hover the cursor above the first line of the first column untildown arrow appears. The column throughout the 9 pages should be selected.
11. Right click the cursor in first cell making sure the whole column is still selected.
12. Paste into Word document.
13. Save as Character Chart Template
14. Now save as Character 1 in Character Folder
15. Save as Character 2 in Character Folder
16. Save as Characters in Character Folder
That's your 3 character charts ready to go. If you have any problems email me (popop/wn.com.au), Where I've put / add the @ symbol.
Creating your Characters
Keep your ebook Creating Characters in front of you so you can refer to the Attribute Ideassection as you fill in the chart. There are hyperlinks within the document. Just Ctrl and click.
1. Run quickly through the chart, filling in the first attribute that enters your head. Don't think about this, just skip it and go onto the next trait. You should have heaps of blanks in the chart unless you've thinking about the character for awhile.
Don't overthink
2. Do another quick run through, this time just adding unusual and/or quirky habits.
3. Have a speedy look through the Attribute Ideas pages so you see the type of traits you may want (or dream up your own). By now you should be developing an idea of who you character is becoming.
Everything can be changed.
4. Go back to the beginning and start detailing the information into the chart, referring continually to Attribute Ideas pages. Do not skimp. Detailed character development makes your story live. It also helps with plot development. Nothing is hidden.
Fill in beside the headings and add something wacky even though it may annoy you. When developing character you will see how these eccentricities bring the characters to life. It also helps your creative processes to dream them up. To make your person realistic they need both vices and virtues.
At the end of the Character Chart, I have listed many words about body attributes to stimulate ideas and you can always Google traits if your stuck.
Ordinary people doing ordinary things are boring. Forget ordinary. Wacky lives.
Get down to the most private detail. Other sub-plots appear this way. You introduce them throughout the story and surprise your readers. People love surprises as long as they are credible.
a) If you fill in the unusual or wacky early, you will find a character appears quickly.
b) Do not worry about names and descriptions until you have an idea of the person.
c) Everything is different from any other character's chart in the same story.
Everything can be changed at anytime.
5. A second character, the antagonist, job is to stop the protagonist reaching her/his goal, follow these steps.
i) Make another copy of the First Characters chart and save as 2 nd Character or name.
ii) Go through and change everything to meet your requirements. To save any confusion, go for opposing traits.
iii) Repeat the process for the third character.
By now you should be starting to see where you story is going. Character 1 wants somethingand Character 2 will, intentionally or unintentionally try to stop them getting what that want. Keep an open mind about the goals at this stage while you are developing the character.
6. Save all your character portrayals for use in other stories.
The next book in this series Plots and Tension will be ready in December 2015 (I hope).
Your characters should be breathing and doing things by then. And you will have completed all your exercises and homework?
Beginning of Character Chart Attibutes
Copy from here
Name
Nickname?
Reason for Nickname
Main Character Trait
Secondary Character Trait
Physical
Height:
Weight:
Hair:
Skin:
Body Shape:
Legs/Feet:
Arms/Hand/Nails:
Head shape:
Facial Hair:
Face:
Nose:
Teeth
Eyes:
Vision:
Brows
lashes:
Noses:
Ears:
Mouth:
Chin:
Posture:
Appearance:
Physical characteristic:
Unusual characteristic:
Dress sense:
Unusual dress sense:
Dressing
Footwear
Accessories
Something wacky
Habits:
Morning routine
Bedtime routine
Eating habits
Favourite food?
Eats for an average meal?
Something wacky
Smokes:
What?
When and how much?
Drinks:
What?
When and how much?
Speech:
Speech pattern
Voice quality
Speaking speed & style
Vocabulary
Distinctive sayings:
When angry
When meeting someone
When saying goodbye
When uncertain
When exuberant
What clothing preferred:
Casual
Work
Going out
Occupation:
Current
History
Health:
General history
Current state
Unusual disorder
Unusual health habit
Distinctive mannerisms:
When angry
When meeting someone
When saying goodbye
When uncertain
When exuberant
Religion:
Religious beliefs
Religious affiliations
Affects on life
Ambition:
Goals
Desires
Driving Force
Deadly sin
Main virtue
Social behaviour:
Morals
Sexual Drive
Frustrations, irritations
Inner conflict
Temperament
Superstitions
Imagination
Body language
Attitude towards:
Corporal punishment
Women
Men
Cars
Immigration
Asylum seekers
Other nationalities
Charities
Power
Guns
Illness
Money
Books
Politics
Capital punishment
Modern art
Abortion
Music
Pets
Young people
Evil
God
Today's morals
Socialism
Children
Education system
War
Houses
Young people
Give 5 character flaws
Describe the home
Life:
Lifestyle
Amusements
Hobbies
Likes
Faults
Favourite colour
Favourite music
Social:
Social standing as a child
Social standing as an adult
Politics:
Political beliefs
Political affiliations
Attitudes to
How affects life
Transportation:
Daredevil or cautious?
when alone
Intelligence:
I.Q.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Education:
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary/training
Strengths
Weaknesses
Sporting Ability
Qualifications
Educational
Other
Unusual ability
Unusual qualification
Home Life:
Mother's name and history
Father's name and history
Siblings with descriptions
As child attitude toward:-
Parents
Grandparents
Siblings
Friends
Partner
Sexual attitudes:
History
Current
Desires
Wacky
Employment:
Past history
Wacky
Present
Finances:
How much per annum?
From where?
Spending habits
Investments
Income sources
Expenditure
Questions to answer:
First impression on others?
High point in life so far?
Biggest mistake made to date?
Perfect day would be spent…
Greatest fear is
What languages spoken?
Type of reading matter preferred?
What talks about with friends?
Type of friends?
Does on Fri/Sat night?
Spends Sunday afternoon?
Goes where on holiday?
Does what on holiday?
Personal:
Main personal conflict
Future plans
History to date
Desires from life
Change as a result of the conflict
5 Things would change about self
Problems/Crisis
Reacts to crises
Faces problems
Problems character has
Reacts to new problems
Reacts to change
Other people's opinion of person
Siblings
Likes
Dislikes
Peers
Likes
Dislikes
Partner
Likes
Dislikes
Oldies
Likes
Dislikes
Children
Likes
Dislikes
Boss
Likes
Dislikes
Workmates
Likes
Dislikes
Next-door neighbour
Likes
Dislikes
End of Character Chart. Add other attributes you think I missed .
