I’m not really that into character interviews myself, but I’ve been working on characterization lately for my WIP. So I’ve come up with a few questions that might be a little more informative than “When is your birthday?” or “What’s your favorite color?”

So, some questions to get to know your characters better:

• What’s your favorite color? (I’m hilarious, aren’t I?) Why? How would you feel in a room painted that color? Who else would you want in there with you? Who wouldn’t be allowed? What would you do there?

• What is your favorite food? When and where did you first taste it? What do you think of when you taste it again? What is your least favorite food?

• Where are you from? What is that place like? How do you feel about the location you’re in now? What are your favorite spots in your current location? How has it changed over time?

• If you absolutely must wake up, what scent of candle would you light? What kind of smell makes you feel relaxed? What did your grandparents smell like? What does your home smell like?

• Do you consider yourself a funny person? Do you prefer dry, zany, slapstick, punny or another kind of humor? Would you rather be seen as funny, clever, respected, stoic, mature or something else? What’s your favorite joke?

• If you hear bells, what do you think of? How about rain? Motors/engines? Running water? Sirens?

• Think of your favorite clothing. How does it feel—rough, smooth, heavy, stretchy, warm, cool? How does it make you feel? Where would you wear it?

The emphasis here isn’t so much the hard facts—it’s on the character’s senses and emotions. How do these things make him or her feel? Why? How can you incorporate these sensory and emotional experiences into the whole of your character?

What do you think? What else do you focus on when getting to know your characters?

Photo by Svilen Mushkatov