Fleshing Out Your Characters: Cheat Sheet

List of character traits:

Funny guy
Hopeless romantic
Neurotic
Clumsy
Tired
Genius
Know-it-all
Angry
Jealous
Sad
Loner
Hero
Brave
Sleepy
Fool
Orangiser
Sporty
Adventurer
Reader
Curious
Helper
Arrogant
Leader

List of character occupations:

Baker
Doctor
Scientist
Detective
Policeman
Firefighter
Vet
War hero
Interior Designer
Architect
Criminal
Entrepreneur
Librarian
Writer
Journalist
Game designer
Athlete
Fisherman
Farmer
Government
Gardener
Builder
Inventor
Pottery
Photographer
Banker
Receptionist
Blacksmith
Apothecary
Nurse
Electrician
Teacher
Dancer
Artist
Film Maker
Advocate
Zookeeper
Nutritionist
Healer
Guru

List of character skills/ interests:

Writing
Painting
Singing
Running
Jumping
Knitting
Rapping
Reading
Acting
Drawing
Animation
Swimming
Shooting
Driving
Fishing
Gardening
Photography
Experiments
Animal care
Music
Sports

List of character/relationship/plot tropes:

Forbidden love
Love triangle
Estranged parents
Misfit
Self-made family
Sibling rivalry
Cloud Cuckoolander
Brotherhood
Sisterhood
Betrayal
Bad upbringing
Twisted fate
Chosen one
Grudges
Given purpose
Sidekick
Unexpected love or friendship

List of Motivations/Goals:

Revenge
Find purpose
Seek truth
Missing person
Find love
Lost love
Hate
Redemption
Challenge self
Friendship
Family
Money
Honour
Fulfilment
Meaning
Save the world
Change the world
End the world
Rule the world
Knowledge
Excitement

List of physical appearances:

Tattoos
Glasses
Ethnicity and complexion
Height
Weight
Clothing style: fashionable, chic, basic, gothic, punk, skater, farmer, whimsical, sporty, provocative, futuristic, Victorian, Medieval…
Scars
Limp
Mismatched eyes (heterochromia)
Extremely tall
Extremely short
Chins
Jewellery
Bruises or cuts
Burn marks
Beauty spot
Freckles
Beard
Missing limb(s)
Wheelchair
Walking stick

List of go-to emotions/reactions (in most situations):

Happy
Sad
Angry
Jealous
Bitter
Hateful
Uncomfortable
Nonchalant
Laidback
Brave
Excited
Scared
Tired or bored
Curious
Reserved

List of other considerations:

Language
Accent
Quirks: playing with their hair, chewing a toothpick, one trouser leg rolled up, calling everyone “mate”
Backstory/ history
How they do things: make friends, talk, study, work, act in relationships, shop, eat, walk, dance etc.