I like to know my characters's names, key traits, what is their want, what is their need, what motivates them. Also, out of those traits, which one is going to change by story's end - i.e. for my main characters. I try to also figure out their journey to some extent - what is the path they are going to take?

Good start, Lisa. There are a whole host of things to do: character biographies, questionnaires, monologues, interviews, sit-downs. The main thing I find is to get CURIOUS with each character. Ask questions. The characters exist in their story universe. It's up to us to get them talking.

Scott (or anyone, really) - are there any examples online of some effective character biographies and questionnaires? I have a rough idea of who my characters end up becoming but need to delve more into who they are at the start of my story. I think the Quest is going to help me nail down their journey once and for all! Thanks everyone.

Here's a short one I put together for a couple of my Screenwriting Master Class courses: CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE Using character archetypes to determine the core essence of each of your primary characters and their respective narrative functions enables you to get a fundamental understanding of your story's players. Once you have determined those roles, you will want to develop your characters further so they become multilayered individuals who come to life in the minds of script readers. One tool you can use is a questionnaire. Taking a series of questions, such as the ones listed below, you answer them about each of your major characters. This enables you to take a first pass at digging into your characters, hopefully revealing key nuggets of information about each of their back-stories and personalities. What is your name? How old are you? How would you describe your physical appearance? How do you feel about the way you look? Who are your parents? Describe your relationship with your mother. Describe your relationship with your father. Who is the most important person in your life? Why? Are you in love? If so, describe your lover and your relationship with them. If not, why not? Describe what your soul-mate would be like? Do you believe in God? If so, describe your relationship with God. If not, why not? When did you stop believing in God? Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist? Why? What do you do for a living? If you like your job, explain why. If not, explain why not. In ten years, where will you be and what will you be doing? Answer these questions: My biggest strengths are… My biggest weaknesses are… I am most proud of… I am most ashamed of… I am most angry about… And finally, be as honest as you can with this question: I am most afraid of… What? Of course, you are free to add other questions. The more curious you get about your characters, the more deeply you will dig into their respective biographies, and the more thoroughly you will understand them as individuals.

Scott, you're the best. thank you so much for sharing so much of your knowledge and experience.

A few different techniques I've used before: - envision a character's photo album (or wall of framed photos) -- who's there, what the people mean to my character, where my character took a picture, etc. gives me a sense of their history, their pleasures, their family and friends, what they do in their spare time. - I like to know what their living space is like. How's it furnished? Is it furnished? What kinds of colors? Messy or neat? Do they have pets? What kind? Any kids running around? What sorts of shoes are kicked off and lying by the door. Similarly, I'll snoop through refrigerators, kitchen cabinets and closets. I also am fairly adamant about knowing what characters keep in their pockets, like what must they have on them at all times, stuff like that. - I'll give my character a simple scenario, like envisioning them at the grocery store -- do they have a cart or a basket? Regular or self-check-out lane? Cash or credit? What does the character do if some rude person cuts in front of them in line? Stuff like that. Anything to give me a sense of what my character is like. - I'll know if they read and what kinds of books; if they watch TV and which shows, etc. May never come up in the script/story, but doesn't mean I shouldn't know. Same goes with little things like fave color, what movie lines they can recite, which songs they'll always sing along to, if they've ever gone skinny-dipping or done karaoke. - in order to get VOICE, I'll strike up conversation, challenging them about something and letting them tee off on me, see what might be said. If I don't hear a voice, it's likely because I can't envision them in my head. I am one of those who likes to go ahead and imagine particular actors playing the roles of my characters --- that makes it a helluva lot easier to envision and HEAR my characters. For current script I'm working on, the three leads and 6 supporting characters all have known faces put them so I can see and hear my characters. Makes it fun too!!!