The Motivation: What fear or desire drives your character’s decisions? The Motivation is typically something broad and primal, like a fear of death or a longing to feel valued.

The Want: This is the middleman between your character’s Motivation and their goal. The Motivation sparks them to want something, and that Want informs the goal they choose when trouble arises. For example, if your character is motivated by a fear of death, their Want might be to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. If another character is motivated by a desire to feel valued, their Want might be to earn admiration and be seen as a hero. When the alien invasion comes, these two characters will choose very different goals. So, what is your character’s Want?

The Need: This what your character actually needs, and it’s usually not the same as what they want. For example, the character who’s chasing adoration might really need community and connection. Your character will probably discover and accept their Need over the course of their character arc, especially if they have a moral ascending arc.

We can divide flaws into three categories: minor, major, and fatal.

Minor: This is something that simply distinguishes your character from the others, making them more memorable for your reader. They don’t affect the story so much as they might affect dialogue or reactions to events.

Major: This a flaw that truly affects your character and is somehow standing in their way, whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental. As discussed above, these might not actually be negative traits, depending on your character, but they are something that affects the plot and development of your characters.

Fatal: As the name implies, this is the kind of flaw that leads to a character’s death. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘hamartia’ and we often associate it with tragedies. In a fatal flaw, your character possesses some trait that brings an otherwise upstanding person to their downfall and eventual demise.
Fear: Your character could have one significant phobia, like Indiana Jones’ fear of snakes. But you also want to look at those deeper, less tangible fears, especially if you didn’t already identify a fear as your character’s Motivation. Fear is a powerful tool of resistance. It’s the reason your character clings to the Lie, even when they know they’re making the wrong choice.

Flaws: Character flaws make your character more relatable and more interesting. Their imperfections also give them room to grow. Choose one major Flaw that they really struggle to get past—stubbornness, pride, cowardice, whatever. Then you can add smaller flaws and quirks just to round them out.
Value System: Whether your character’s values are rooted in religion or personal philosophy, you need a clear picture of their moral code.

First, you’ve got your romantic leads. Depending on the way you decide to tell your story, they might both be main characters or you might opt to make one the protagonist while the other is a secondary character.

For these folks, you’ll want to establish their:

External goal
Need
Motivation
Lie
Ghost/Wound
Backstory
Greatest fear
Greatest weakness
Greatest strength
Major flaw
Minor flaws
Physical appearance
Quirks
Demographics
Key relationships
Career/hobby/passion

Demographics
Name:
Age:
Sex/Gender:
Ethnicity:
Occupation:
Socioeconomic status:
Education:
Other notes:

Physical Appearance
Eye color:
Skin color:
Hair color:
Height:
Weight:
Body type:
Fitness level:
Tattoos:
Scars/Birthmarks:
Other distinguishing features:
Disabilities:
Fashion style:
Accessories:
Cleanliness/Grooming:
Posture/Gait:
Tics:
Coordination (or lack thereof):
Weaknesses:
Other notes:

History
Birth date:
Place of birth:
Key family members:
Notable events/milestones:
Criminal record:
Affiliations:
Skeletons in the closet:
Other notes:

Psychological Traits
Personality type:
Personality traits:
Temperament:
Introvert/Extrovert:
Mannerisms:
Educational background:
Intelligence:
Self-esteem:
Hobbies:
Skills/talents:
Loves:
Morals/Virtues:
Phobias/Fears:
Angered by:
Pet peeves:
Obsessed with:
Routines:
Bad habits:
Desires:
Flaws:
Quirks:
Favorite sayings:
Disabilities:
Secrets:
Regrets:
Accomplishments:
Memories:
Other notes:

Communication
Languages known:
Preferred communication methods:
Accent:
Style and pacing of speech:
Pitch:
Laughter:
Smile:
Use of gestures:
Facial expressions:
Verbal expressions:
Other notes:

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Abilities
Physical strengths:
Physical weaknesses:
Intellectual strengths:
Intellectual weaknesses:
Interpersonal strengths:
Interpersonal weaknesses:
Physical abilities:
Magical abilities:
Physical illnesses/conditions:
Mental illnesses/conditions:
Other notes:

Relationships
Partner(s)/Significant other(s):
Lover(s):
Parents/Guardians:
Children:
Grandparents:
Grandchildren:
Family:
Pets:
Best friends:
Friends:
Rivals:
Enemies:
Colleagues:
Mentors/Teachers:
Idols/Role models:
Followers:
Strangers:
Non-living things:
Clubs/Memberships:
Social media presence:
Public perception of them:
Other notes:

Character Growth
Character archetype:
Character arc:
Core values:
Internal conflicts:
External conflicts:
Goals:
Motivations:
Epiphanies:
Significant events/plot points:
Other notes:

⤷ Change a law or injustice
⤷ Appease a deity or higher power
⤷ Free a loved one from captivity
⤷ Become the strongest/richest/most powerful
⤷ Retrieve a stolen item
⤷ Break a curse
⤷ Assassinate a king/queen or head of state
⤷ Fall in love
⤷ Solve a murder
⤷ Uncover a secret treasure
⤷ Make others suffer
⤷ Invent something that changes the world
⤷ Manipulate an established system
⤷ Live happily ever after
⤷ Free a helpless victim
⤷ Shake up their current life
⤷ Find a muse
⤷ Establish their own cult
⤷ Lead a rebellion
⤷ Steal from the rich and give to the poor
⤷ Form their own country or nation
⤷ Overcome their self doubt
⤷ End a feud
⤷ Get themselves out of prison
⤷ Start or end a war or conflict
⤷ Learn to trust others
⤷ Win the admiration of others
⤷ Protect their homeland
⤷ Change the past
⤷ Champion a cause
⤷ Reveal a secret plot
⤷ Regain a lost title or legacy
⤷ Bring down their enemies
⤷ Get a new job
⤷ Move to a new place
⤷ Settle a debt
⤷ Control others
⤷ Retreat to solitude
⤷ Overcome their fears
⤷ Be remembered after their death
⤷ Explore the world
⤷ Find fulfillment in their work
⤷ Explore their creativity
⤷ Live a healthier life
⤷ Become more thoughtful
⤷ Save Christmas or another holiday
⤷ Live in a fairytale
⤷ Protect the environment
⤷ Learn a new skill
⤷ Overthrow evil
⤷ Get fired from their job
⤷ Stand up to peer pressure
⤷ Eradicate a scourge
⤷ Recover from an injury
⤷ Betray a sibling
⤷ Stop abuse of themselves or someone else
⤷ Get out of financial distress
⤷ Dump their partner
⤷ Get revenge on someone who stole something from them
⤷ Find a place to belong
⤷ Care for a sick loved one
⤷ Find their parents or lost family
⤷ Overcome an addiction
⤷ Fulfill a prophecy
⤷ Move out of someone’s shadow
⤷ Clean up a dangerous neighborhood
⤷ Become revered or respected
⤷ Find a new direction in life
⤷ Initiate a successful corporate merger
⤷ Recover an ancient artifact
⤷ Face their guilt for a past wrong
⤷ Make amends with someone
⤷ Seek revenge
⤷ Escape their destiny
⤷ Get back home
⤷ Sacrifice themselves to save someone else
⤷ Overcome fear of judgment
⤷ Become more than their outward appearance
⤷ Uncover a stalker
⤷ Write a book (ahem)
⤷ Lead people to change
⤷ Wreak havoc
⤷ Challenge the status quo
⤷ Catch a criminal
⤷ Tempt someone into ruin
⤷ Steal someone’s identity or life
⤷ Have a child
⤷ Get elected to public office
⤷ Overcome social anxiety
⤷ Win a contest or competition
⤷ Learn a new language
⤷ Save the world
⤷ Live forever
⤷ Become a supernatural being
⤷ Make contact with a foreign species
⤷ Travel to a distant land
⤷ Enchant an object
⤷ Kill someone
⤷ Atone for past sins
⤷ Find religion
⤷ Destroy someone else’s relationship

BASIC INFO:
Full Name
Nickname
Age
Gender/Pronouns
Sexuality
Species
Ethnicity
Blood Type
Likes
Dislikes
Appearance (physical features, style, etc.)
Personality (positive and negative traits)
Hobbies
Occupation
Strengths
Weaknesses

PHYSICAL TRAITS + APPEARANCE:
Alive/Dead
Height
Weight
Hair Color
Hairstyle
Facial Hair
Face Shape
Marks
Scars
Specific Features
Eye color
Skin Tone
Facial Features
Body Type
Dominant Hand
Posture
Birthmarks
Tattoos
Piercings
Teeth (straight, crooked, missing)
Voice (pitch, pacing, etc.)
Sense of fashion and style
Health (disabilities, illnesses, conditions)
Allergies
Shoe Size

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Languages
Accent
Personality Type
Cultural Background
Speech Patterns
Most Used Phrases/Words
Title
Birthday
Zodiac
Fears
Phobias
Habits (good and bad)
Mannerisms
Intelligence
Education level
Interests
Sense of humor
Problem-solving skills
Emotional Intelligence
Creativity
Addictions
Mannerisms
Introverted or extroverted?
Pet Peeves
Mood
Handshake

BELIEFS
Political views
Religion
Core Values
Beliefs about morality and ethics
Beliefs about happiness and success
Beliefs about the world and society
Stance on social issues
Personal Philosophy
Self-perception
Optimism vs. Pessimism

MOTIVATIONS:
Motivation
Philosophy
Darkest Secret
Biggest Dream
Goals
Deepest fear
Inner Conflict
External Conflict
Regrets
Desires
External Pressures
Insecurities
Great joys
Worst nightmares
Legacy

RELATIONSHIPS:
Friends
Enemies
Rivals
Significant Other
Family (and family dynamics)
Co-workers/Professional Relationships
Mentors/Mentees
Past Romances
Best Friends
Close Friends
Acquaintances
Pets
Strained Relationships
Supportive Relationships
Toxic Relationships
Role Models
Most important relationship
What do they like about their relationships?
What do they wish could be improved about their relationships?

ABILITIES:
Special Powers
Supernatural Abilities
Fighting Style
Skills
Magic
Physical Strength/Endurance
Persuasion Ability
Survival Skills
Spiritual Abilities
Technology Skills

ENTERTAINMENT:
Online usernames
Social Media Usage
Technology Usage
Followers/Following
Favorite Apps
Communities Apart Of
Favorite forms of entertainment
Favorite movies
Favorite TV shows
Favorite games
Favorite book
Favorite outdoor activities
Celebrity Crush
Comfort Food or Activity

OTHER FAVORITES
Favorite food
Favorite drink
Favorite place
Favorite animal
Favorite color
Favorite song
Favorite band
Favorite sports team
Favorite brand
Favorite store
Favorite thing to do
Favorite weather
Favorite season
Favorite mythical creature
Favorite joke

PROFESSIONAL TRAITS:
Company
Career
Work Ethic
Income Level
Volunteering
Dream Job
Professional Goals
Professional Reputation
Career Challenges
Professional Skills
Feelings about job
Feelings about co-workers

BACKSTORY:
Personal history (childhood, past events, etc.)
Social class
Criminal Record
Notable life events
Accomplishments
Key Memories
Childhood influences
Major life decisions
First Heartbreak
Life Lessons
Cherishable Moments
Major Failures
Regrets
Most embarrassing moment
Most meaningful possession
Most difficult decision

FANDOM (IF THE CHARACTER LIVES IN A FAN UNIVERSE):
Is this character part of an existing fandom or universe?
How does this character relate to the canon world?
Are there any notable relationships to that universe?
What special powers (if any) do they have from that universe?
Have they influenced history in any way?
Do they have any notable accomplishments within the universe?
What are their roles and responsibilities?

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS:
How does your character handle conflict and difficult situations?
How does your character relate to others and form relationships?
How do your character's personality and actions change in different environments and social circles?
How did your character's childhood shape their personality and worldview?
How does your character cope with their emotions and vulnerabilities?
Why does your character make the choices they do and what motivates them?
How has your character's personality changed over the years?
How does your character handle success or achievement?
If your character could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If your character could travel through time, where and when would they go?
If your character could have any famous person as their mentor or role model, who would they choose and why?
If your character could have any one wish granted, what would it be and why?

ROLEPLAY DETAILS (FOR A CHARACTER ROLEPLAY BIO):
Types of characters this character interacts best with
How the character’s personality ideally evolves in a roleplay
Roleplay role (is this character typically a protagonist? Antagonist? Supporting character?)
Common starters: prompts or starter stories that fit this character well

OTHER CHARACTER BIO CREATION TIPS:
Write journal entries as your characters. This helps you think as your character, making them feel more realistic. The Posts function on CharacterHub is good for this.

Map out your character arc. Characters need to develop over the course of your story! After filling out these details, outline what the character learns and the emotional development the character goes through.
Practice writing about your character. Pick another character in your universe. Write about them as another character to get a more comprehensive view of the character. Answering writing prompts can help you brainstorm.

Use the character template even if you won’t utilize all the traits. Knowing everything about a character helps them feel more real, regardless of if you ever use specific details. The information from the character info sheet can slightly alter how they react, respond, or behave in ways that aren’t tangible.

Description - Your chance to write out a basic description of a character. Of course, you don’t need to go basic, either. You can generate additional description sections to get into specifics.

About - One of the most helpful sections also has many permutations. This panel features an organized list ranging from primary biographical and statistical data to completely customizable features based on your unique characters and settings. Want to adapt your OC to a tabletop RPG stat block? You can do that easily through the About section.

Images - The image section allows you to upload and organize reference images associated with your original character. You can also create specific folders for different types of art, such as fan art, sketches, or costume sets. The image folders feature is like the flexibility of the folders feature of CharacterHub.

Background Story - Sometimes, you may want to introduce an original character through a story hook. A background story section can introduce or build on essential character information creatively.

Moodboard - If you are a creator who explores character concepts based on vibes, the moodboard feature is excellent. You can upload images representing more abstract elements of a character’s vibe, personality, or style and organize them as you see fit.

Most importantly, if any of the dozen default sections aren’t enough for your character profile or organizational approach, the blank text section allows you to create something more customized for your purposes.