What is their love language?

Beginning to flesh out a new character can be difficult. While there are many ways to do it, we often find ourselves skipping over really important things!

Writing realistic disabilities, both physical and mental, are crucial. If you have a solider returning from war, they likely have PTSD. A car crash survivor might also experience that but in a different way. Trauma is tied to circumstance. And for wheelchair users, they need a ramp to get somewhe...

Do they have a stutter? Do they say ‘like’ and ‘um’ a lot? How fast do they talk? In short sentences or long ones? How else does their voice and speech pattern affect their personality and the way their socialize? Often times, if someone has a stutter, they tend to be more withdrawn. How can you ...

Does your character have sentimental items? What are they? Where did they come from? Where do they keep them? Often times, a character’s sentimental items tell a lot about them. You can show that someone’s dad is important to them by the photos, objects, etc, given to them by their dad that they ...

What makes you, you? Often times people have habits unique to them. Sure, they shower and brush their teeth, but does your character always put his mug in the same place? Does she always cuff her pants? What little things/actions belong to them and them only? Figuring out what makes that characte...

I’ve learned a general rule that often applies in writing and real life: if someone likes only old music or old movies, refusing to try new stuff, they are not open to change. How can you reflect their personality in what they like? Are they studious and keep books in their car in case of a long ...