CHARACTER LISTS

Simmer, Spice, and Everything Nice

Profiling Characters to Perfection

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Creating a character isn't about listing their shoe size or star sign (though you can if you really must). It's about crafting a living, breathing being with flaws, fears, and a good reason to get out of bed—and maybe save the world or destroy it before lunch.

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Welcome to your crash course in character creation. Whether you're a planner, a pantser, or something in-between, you'll find two approaches here. Pick one. Or both. Or neither, I'm not judging.

 

Method One

 

Skip the BS

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Most writing software comes with some kind of built-in character sheet. If that works for you, great. If not, and you'd rather not answer 101 soul-sapping questions like "What's their favourite colour?" then this shortcut is your cup of tea.

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Loglines: Characters in a Nutshell

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I first encountered this in a screenwriting module at University. A logline is a snappy 140-character-ish summary that captures the essence of a character. While film and novel writing differ, this technique's worth pursuing—it helps you see the bones of your character quickly.

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What to Include:

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• Name and age (if important)

• Visual impression

• Key personality traits

• Vital plot or backstory elements

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Example Loglines:

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Harry Potter:
An orphan. A scrawny, black-haired, green-eyed and bespectacled boy who didn't know he was a wizard. Carries a lightning-bolt scar from Voldemort's attack. Talented at Quidditch. Starts Hogwarts at eleven.

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Carrietta “Carrie” White:
A shy high school senior with telekinetic powers. Bullied and socially isolated due to her religious mother and plain appearance. Lived in Chamberlain all her life.

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Dexter Morgan:
A serial killer with a code of honour, hiding in plain sight among the officers of Miami PD.

 

As you can see, each of these vary in their length but all provide adequate information on the character.

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Top Tip: Practise writing loglines for well-known characters before tackling your own.

 

99 Problems But a Character Ain't One

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A character's problem is what defines them and kicks off the plot. It's the itch that must be scratched, the core of their narrative drive.

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Examples:

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• “Hunted by an alien on a spaceship.”

• “Trapped in an alternate dimension.”

• “Divorced, and missing their child.”

• “Insatiable urge to kill.”

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John McClane's real issue in Die Hard isn't the terrorists (that's a plot). It's that he's estranged from his wife. That's what gives the story heart.

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The (Probably Flawed) Solution

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Your character thinks they know how to solve their problem. Whether they're right or wrong is half the fun.

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Examples:

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• Alien? Jump in an escape pod!

• Dexter's solution? Work for the cops and stick to a kill code.

• Missing their child? Surprise road trip to visit on their birthday.

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Their approach tells us a lot about them. And often, it's the start of a whole lot of trouble.

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Conflict: The Spiky Bit in the Middle

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Between a character's problem and their solution lies the glorious minefield known as conflict. This is the beating heart of your story — where things go wrong, get messy, and become unpredictable.

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Think of it as the jagged terrain between what they want and why they absolutely, categorically, cannot have it (yet). Or picture a metaphorical gauntlet: fists, knives, clashing ideals, and the occasional emotional breakdown hurled at your character as they try to move from A to B.

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Let's break it down:

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• The character has a problem.

• The character thinks they've found a solution.

• Life laughs, rolls its eyes, and hurls obstacles at them.

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This, dear author, is your playground.

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Example: Dexter Morgan

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His problem is that he's a serial killer with a compulsion he can't control.

His solution? Hide in plain sight by working at Miami Metro PD.

The conflict? Well, he's a killer solving murders. The tension is practically gift-wrapped.

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The friction between the problem and solution should be immediate, inherent, and rich with possibility. This is where plot gets traction and character development kicks in. The more incompatible the solution is with reality, the more delicious the drama.

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If a character wants to save the world but is fundamentally afraid of people, that's conflict. If they want love but can't stop lying, conflict. If they're terrified of monkeys and the antagonist is a vengeful primate cultist? You guessed it!

 

Conflict.

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Ask yourself:

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• What stands in their way?

• What makes the solution harder than it seemed?

• How do internal flaws and external forces complicate things?

• What happens when they fail?

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And most importantly: How do they behave under pressure?

Characters are revealed not in comfort, but in chaos. So shove them into the storm and see how they scramble.

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The Grand Reveal: It's Never Just One Character

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Here's the thing — characters don't live in a vacuum (unless they're a lonely AI on a derelict spaceship, in which case, crack on). Most of your main characters exist in a tangle of relationships — allies, enemies, frenemies, secret lovers, sullen exes, parents with agendas, and maybe a sentient teapot with unresolved trauma.

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Once you've built out one character, consider how their traits, motivations, and flaws might ripple outwards to affect others. Does your hero's fierce independence isolate them from the group? Does your villain's insecurity drive them to recruit dangerous friends? Use these dynamics to spark fresh character arcs and tension—because plot is people in trouble with each other.

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Cast Chemistry Test

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Write a short scene with at least two of your characters thrown together. Make it awkward, explosive, heart-warming, or absolutely bizarre. Think of it like putting contestants in a reality TV house and seeing who snogs, who shouts, and who hides under a pile of laundry until the series finale.

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Oh No, They've Got an Arc

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Let's talk growth. Or maybe decay. Either way, your character needs to change — or at least try to.

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A compelling character arc is often the shift from the person they were, to the person they become, for better or worse. That arc might be redemption, corruption, enlightenment, or “learnt absolutely nothing, but now wears a nicer coat.”

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Think:

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• Bilbo Baggins: From timid homebody to burglar of dragons and puncher of spiders.

• Ebenezer Scrooge: From miserly miser to seasonal sap.

• Walter White: From underdog chemistry teacher to meth-making crime lord.

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Ask yourself: What does my character learn? What must they lose to gain it? What might they risk to stay the same?

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And then, of course, throw in something unexpected. Growth isn't a straight line. It's a chaotic scribble shaped like a hangover.

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I Swear I've Just Done This

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Yes, you've written a logline already. Yes, you're going to write it again. Why? Because now you know more. You've excavated their trauma, tossed them into the storm, possibly ruined their relationships and forced them to grow. Or at least flail dramatically.

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So go back. Revisit that snappy little one-liner you started with. Now rewrite it.

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Make it sharper. Make it deeper. Make it less “first date small talk” and more “read this and you'll want to know what happens next.”

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Before:

A shy teen with a dark secret and trust issues.

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After:

A telekinetic outcast, raised by a fanatical mother, battles humiliation, hormonal chaos, and the growing suspicion she might burn her entire high school to ash.

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Boom. Now that's a Carrie-cter. (Sorry Mr King, I couldn't resist the pun).

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This isn't just repetition—it's refinement. Like chiselling away at a block of marble until your character finally steps out, fully formed and possibly holding a bloody axe. Or a coffee. Or both.

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A Handy Checklist for the Chronically Overwhelmed

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Let's bring it all together. If you're the sort who enjoys ticking boxes and pretending you've got your life in order, this section's for you.

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The Snappy Character Profile Checklist:

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• Name, age, basic appearance

• Logline (yes, 140 characters max, tweet-length genius)

• Core problem — what's bothering them beneath the surface?

• Their self-declared solution (usually flawed, often hilarious)

• Conflict between problem and solution

• Internal limitations (emotional baggage, bad habits, self-delusions)

• External complications (jobs, enemies, family reunions, volcanoes)

• Greatest fear (the nightmare that wakes them up sweaty at 3am)

• Test-drive scene or monologue (flash fiction, dialogue, whatever lets them live)

• Hint of a character arc (redemption? revenge? realising that road trip was a bad idea?)

• A revised logline after the test drive

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Method Two​

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Congratulations, you've made it to Part Two. By now, you know whether your character prefers to stride like a Roman emperor or shuffle like an underpaid librarian (unless you skipped straight to this part).

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Now it's time to go deeper. In this section, you'll learn how to shape your character from the outside in, and more importantly, from the inside out.

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Below, you'll find everything you need to develop your characters like a proper literary puppet master — complete with a downloadable template you can scribble on, burn through, or tuck lovingly into a drawer. Your call.

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What Makes a Good Character Profile?

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Think of your character like an apple (just go with it): they've got a skin (how they look and sound), flesh (their history and environment), and a core (their inner world — fears, hopes, psychology). Our character profile follows this fruity metaphor with unnerving dedication.

 

1. The Skin: Outer Appearance & Social Clues

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First impressions matter — even when they're fictional. This is your character's surface: the traits we notice first, the clues that reveal a little (but never everything) about who they are.

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The Basics

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• Name

• Age

• Place of birth

• Current location

• Nationality

• Education

• Occupation

• Income

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Physical Appearance

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• Eye colour

• Hairstyle

• Build

• Distinguishing features (tattoos, scars, birthmarks)

• Preferred outfit

• Do they wear glasses?

• Always seen with (e.g. cane, pipe, pendant)

• Grooming level:

  • Dishevelled?

  • Smart, polished?

  • Untidy but clean?

• Any tics or mannerisms?

• Health: chronic illnesses or allergies?

• Handwriting: neat, chaotic, or doctor's prescription?

• Walks like:

  • A military commander?

  • A lost tourist?

  • A caffeine-deprived squirrel?

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Speech and Communication

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• Style: rapid-fire, languid, clipped, musical?

• Vocabulary: highbrow, streetwise, somewhere in-between?

• Accent?

• Posture:

  • Stiff as a board?

  • Relaxed?

  • Slouchy?

  • Turtle-with-a-tax-return?

• Gestures:

  • Hand-flailing maniac?

  • Cool and contained?

  • Only when provoked?

• Eye contact: intense, shy, or darting like a nervous drug-mule?

• Favourite curse word?

• Catchphrase?

• Speech tics or impediments?

• What's their laugh like? What do they find funny?

• Their smile in one word?

• How expressive are they emotionally?

• Resting ____ face:

  • Bitch

  • Angel

  • Neutral

  • Something else?

 

2. The Flesh: Backstory and Social Webs

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People — and by extension, characters — are products of their past. Here's where we dig into what made your character tick before page one.

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The Past

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• Hometown?

• Childhood experience: idyllic, chaotic, neglected?

• School life and education?

• Involvement in:

  • Sports?

  • Drama?

  • Other (explain)?

• Yearbook prediction: “Most Likely To…”

• Past jobs and childhood dream career?

• Childhood role models?

• Greatest regret?

• Favourite childhood hobbies and hangouts?

• Earliest, happiest, clearest and saddest memories?

• Skeletons in their closet?

• What would they change in their past?

• Life-defining moments in childhood?

• Three words that describe them as a child?

• Advice they'd give to their younger self?

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Criminal Record

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If relevant, list offences (fictional ones only, please).

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Family Dynamics

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Father

• Age / Occupation

• Relationship with the character

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Mother

• Age / Occupation

• Relationship with the character

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Siblings

• Number, names, ages

• Relationship dynamics

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Children

• Ages / Occupations

• Relationship with character

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Extended Family

• Who's around? Who matters?

• Frequency of visits and relationship nuances

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Family economic background? (if applicable)

 

External Relationships

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• Closest friends (describe them)

• Significant friendships or strained connections?

• Enemies (deliciously described)

• How do others see them:

  • Strangers on the street?

  • Work acquaintances?

  • Colleagues?

  • Authority figures?

  • Close friends?

  • Children?

  • Romantic interests?

  • Cousins at Christmas?

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Social Media Usage

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• Platforms: Instagram, X, TikTok, Reddit, Tumblr, LinkedIn etc.

• What's their vibe online? Professional? Chaotic meme lord?

• Online dating profile summary (make it sparkle)

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Role in Group Dynamics

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• Leader, Joker, Parent, Hype-person, Mooch — or a rare blend?

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Who They Rely On For:

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• Practical advice

• Mentorship

• Emotional support

• Moral compass

• Wing-person material?

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Other Social Clues

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• Email responsiveness?

• Ideal partner?

• Current partner (describe)?

• How many would attend their funeral?

 

3. The Core: Inner Psychology & Motivations

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Now we arrive at the gooey centre: the place where wants, fears, and contradictions reside. This is what drives your character to act, lie, change — or self-destruct.

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Psychology

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• What do they do on a rainy day?

• Street-smart or book-smart?

• Optimist or pessimist?

• Introvert or extrovert?

• Favourite sound?

• Favourite place in the world?

• What secrets do they keep?

• What do they want the most?

• Biggest flaw? Biggest strength?

• Greatest fear? Greatest achievement?

• Their idea of perfect happiness?

• Favourite quote?

• Do they want to be remembered? For what?

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How They Handle:

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• Power

• Ambition

• Love

• Change

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Odds and Ends

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• One object they'd save in a fire?

• What (or who) bores them?

• What enrages them?

• What do they value in others?

• Moral flexibility: When do they compromise?

• Last 10 books they read?

• Fictional world they'd move to?

• What would they do with a life free of sleep?

• Pet peeves?

• Lottery plans?

• Bucket list at ages 15, 20, 30, 40?

• 10-song Spotify “life soundtrack”?

• Best compliment they've ever received?

• Do they press the lift button more than once?

• What would their tombstone say?

 

4. The Engine Room: Goals and Motivation

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This is the absolute crux of the matter. Everything else you've outlined above should lead to this.

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The Present and Future

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Story Goal:

In one punchy paragraph, what does your character want during the story?

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Story Motivation:

And why do they want it so badly?

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This is your character's raison d'être, their fuel, their fire. It informs their choices, their conflicts, and ultimately, their arc. If you ever lose your way in the plot, come back to this bit — it's your north star.

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The Final Word: Characters Are Messy. Embrace It

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Don't worry if your first few character profiles feel a bit flat or your villain seems more like an underpaid bank manager than a terrifying force of chaos. You're allowed to get it wrong. In fact, please do.

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Writing isn't about perfection — it's about discovering who your characters are by making beautiful messes and cleaning them up later. The profile is not a cage — it's a launchpad.

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So give your characters problems. Give them flaws. Give them enemies and secrets and dreams they're too scared to admit out loud.

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Then set them loose in your world — and watch the magic happen.

 

Downloadable Character Profile Template

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Now that you've got the breakdown, fill out the template, tear it apart, rebuild it, or pin it to your vision board.

 

Characters, like people, are messy. The more detail you know, the more freedom you'll have to bring them to life.

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Let them surprise you. Let them lie to you. Let them become the kind of person who'd either save a puppy from a burning building… or light the match.