The Character Resume

The Character Resume

One useful way to learn more about your characters is to fill out a ``resume'' for them--at least for the more important ones. Such a resume might include the following information:

• Name:
• Address & Phone Number:
• Date & Place of Birth:
• Height/Weight/Physical Description:
• Citizenship/Ethnic Origin:
• Parents' Names & Occupations:
• Other Family Members:
• Spouse or Lover:
• Friends' Names & Occupations:
• Social Class:
• Education:
• Occupation/Employer:
• Social Class:
• Salary:
• Community Status:
• Job-Related Skills:
• Political Beliefs/Affiliations:
• Hobbies/Recreations:
• Personal Qualities (imagination, taste, etc.):
• Ambitions:
• Fears/Anxieties/Hangups:
• Intelligence:
• Sense of Humor:
• Most Painful Setback/Disappointment:
• Most Instructive/Meaningful Experience:
• Health/Physical Condition/Distinguishing Marks/Disabilities:
• Sexual Orientation/Experience/Values:
• Tastes in food, drink, art, music, literature, decor, clothing:
• Attitude toward Life:
• Attitude toward Death:
• Philosophy of Life (in a phrase):

You may not use all this information, and you may want to add categories of your own, but a resume certainly helps make your character come alive in your own mind. The resume can also give you helpful ideas on everything from explaining the character's motivation to conceiving dramatic incidents that demonstrates the character's personal traits. The resume serves a useful purpose in your project bible, reminding you of the countless details you need to keep straight.