whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind

The five "C's" of fiction: convincing characters caught in a compelling conflict. ~Brandy Collins

Do you have a problem when it comes to fleshing out your characters? Do you know who they are? Their likes and dislikes?? There are tricks and tools to help!

One tool I use is a character sketch form I've made and saved on my computer. It has evolved over time and will continue to do so as my growth in writing continues. You can easily make a form to fit your own style. I'll use mine for an example. I begin with the basics; name, age, height, weight, eye and hair color and even a birthdate if it strikes me to do so. Now take a step and get a little more in depth. What kind of speech patterns do they have? Are they from a part of the world that has a unique accent? Do they use slang? Do they tend to use certain words or phrases? These kinds of things are what makes your characters stand out. How does your character dress? Blue jeans or designer labels? Do they wear a certain article of clothing that is their trademark? Jewelry? Tattoos? What are their quirks? We all have them. I know a man who tugs at his eyebrows when deep in thought. As writers, we should utilize these traits to our advantage.

What kind of background does he/she have? I do this whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind

nd saved on my computer. It has evolved over time and will continue to do so as my growth in writing continues. You can easily make a form to fit your own style. I'll use mine for an example. I begin with the basics; name, age, height, weight, eye and hair color and even a birthdate if it strikes me to do so. Now take a step and get a little more in depth. What kind of speech patterns do they have? Are they from a part of the world that has a unique accent? Do they use slang? Do they tend to use certain words or phrases? These kinds of things are what makes your characters stand out. How does your character dress? Blue jeans or designer labels? Do they wear a certain article of clothing that is their trademark? Jewelry? Tattoos? What are their quirks? We all have them. I know a man who tugs at his eyebrows when deep in thought. As writers, we should utilize these traits to our advantage.

What kind of background does he/she have? I do this whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind

a step and get a little more in depth. What kind of speech patterns do they have? Are they from a part of the world that has a unique accent? Do they use slang? Do they tend to use certain words or phrases? These kinds of things are what makes your characters stand out. How does your character dress? Blue jeans or designer labels? Do they wear a certain article of clothing that is their trademark? Jewelry? Tattoos? What are their quirks? We all have them. I know a man who tugs at his eyebrows when deep in thought. As writers, we should utilize these traits to our advantage.

What kind of background does he/she have? I do this whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind

igner labels? Do they wear a certain article of clothing that is their trademark? Jewelry? Tattoos? What are their quirks? We all have them. I know a man who tugs at his eyebrows when deep in thought. As writers, we should utilize these traits to our advantage.

What kind of background does he/she have? I do this whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind

whether I plan to use it in my work or not. I cover their parents, and siblings, schooling, career, and marital status.

What is your character's economic status?

Then I move on to their preferences. What color, food and drink do they like? Dislike? Do they drink or smoke? If so, what type or brand? What kind of music turns them on? What kind of vehicle do they drive?

Now let us look even deeper. I mentioned quirks, how about flaws? What do they fear? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Habits? Do they have a soft spot for something or someone? Cover any prejudices, hobbies, skills, attitudes and outlooks they may have.

I finish off my sketch with a few specific questions such as, what would my character be found doing on a rainy day.

You may add or delete questions as you feel the need. As previously mentioned, my own list has evolved. This tool is fun to use and helps to develop deeper and more believable characters. It assists a writer in becoming acquainted with those he/she will be writing about and, in turn, allows the writer to put forth a stronger piece of work