Writing Exercise 1: Character Development

As writers, we often find ourselves staring at blank pages or screens, searching for inspiration to bring our characters to life. One effective way to spark creativity and develop unique characters is through creative writing exercises. In this post, I’ll guide you through a simple character sketching activity that can help unlock your imagination and get those creative juices flowing! This (and other) exercises are compliments to my series of posts on creating compelling characters. These are exercises to help us get in the habit of writing.

For the first part of this exercise, we’ll use a list of random adjectives and nouns to inspire our characters’ personalities and traits. You may want to print out these lists or keep them open on your computer screen for easy access:

AdjectivesNouns1. Brave
2. Cunning
3. Determined
4. Enigmatic
5. Fierce
6. Generous
7. Hesitant
8. Intelligent
9. Jealous
10. Kind
11. Lazy
12. Nervous
13. Observant
14. Pessimistic
15. Quiet
16. Rebellious
17. Sarcastic
18. Sneaky
19. Thoughtful
20. Unpredictable1. Backpack
2. Butterfly net
3. Compass
4. Flashlight
5. Hat
6. Ice cream truck
7. Jigsaw puzzle
8. Kaleidoscope
9. Lighter
10. Monocle
11. Notebook
12. Ocarina
13. Paintbrushes
14. Quill pen
15. Razor blade
16. Sewing kit
17. Telescope
18. Umbrella
19. Vase
20. Wheelchair

Now, pick one adjective and one noun from each list at random. For example, if you draw “cunning” and “compass,” your character might be a clever navigator who uses her skills to outsmart others in tricky situations. Mix and match as many combinations as you like!

Once you’ve selected your pairings, create a short description of the character based on their chosen traits and possessions. Be sure to include details that convey their personality, appearance, and background. For instance:

Cunning navigator Althea carried her trusty compass everywhere she went. With her sharp mind and keen observational skills, she could find her way through the densest forests or most confusing city streets. Her deep-set eyes showed wisdom beyond her years, and her long braid held secrets of past adventures.

This example is nearly throw-away work, but it gets your creative juices flowing and helps reinforce the habit of writing.

This simple exercise can spark countless ideas for stories, novels, or even individual characters within a larger narrative. So don’t be afraid to mix and match until you find a combination that truly resonates with you – after all, inspiration often strikes when we least expect it!

Note: All of the exercises in this series will be available on my writing exercises page.

Follow me on Amazon, GoodReads, or Facebook to get information about upcoming book releases.