Original Fic Tip: Questions to help Solidify Your Character's Back Story
Today's tip is a list of great questions to help create a solid backstory for your character(s). The article has some good tips on how to share backstory as well.
Even before you start writing, you already have a vague idea of who your character is currently.
Maybe he’s a crusty, old curmudgeon. Maybe she’s a optimistic, but naive, teenager.
No matter who your character is, start with what you know already and go back from there. Ask and answer the following questions to start crafting a solid backstory:
What is this character’s biggest flaw? What’s the origin of this flaw?
Where is the character from?
Where are the character’s parents from? How did they come to have a child and under what circumstances? Was it a happy union or a chance encounter?
What is the character afraid of? Trace the answer back to the character’s childhood and explain why.
What makes the character happy? Trace the answer back to the character’s childhood and explain why.
What does your character believe about himself and how did he come to this conclusion?
What are his goals? Why does he have these goals?
Now go forth and write!