Interview With a Character

[choppy]

One of the tricks I've heard about to add depth to a character is to imagine yourself sitting down with him or her in a formal interview. Then go crazy, pull no punches, ask as many personal, intimate questions as you can.

Then you study the answers. Most of these you've just made up off the top of your head. In forming the character you can look for things that would make sense and things that wouldn't. About eighty percent of this information won't end up in the story directly, but it can really help you to motivate your characters as the plot unfolds.

So here's my question. What are some good questions?

Here are a few I've thought of so far, but I'm hoping the list will grow.

- Tell me about your mother.
- How old were you when you first kissed a boy/girl?
- What scares you?
- What was your favorite subject in school?
- If you could change careers, what would you do?
- Tell me about a time you decided it was okay to break the law.
- Who would you consider to be you greatest role model?

Cheers!

[kegasaurus]

If I were you, I'd make the questions a little more perverse, a little more out of left field. This will tell the real machinations of your character.

ie, Either your mother or your wife have to die, which one is it?
Have you ever thought of another man as you spank the monkey?

[Holbrook]

The questions really do need to be off the wall.

Like, which body part are you willing to give up to get your enemy?

Who would you allow to die to get your enemy?

What will push you to breaking point?

Who is more important, you friends, lovers or your enemy?

Somehow I would rather not ask too many questions of my characters I don't think I would like them after I read the answers.;)

[Jacquin]

Good God no!

The last thing I want to do is to get to know some of my characters well...

Kinda kidding but then again maybe not :rolleyes:

J