Writers: Forget One-Dimensional Character Worksheets!
“Inter-lands” — a new way —
Type “character worksheets” into a search engine, and you’ll find hundreds of resources to develop your protagonist and other characters. Some of the worksheets are basic (name, age, hair color), and others are a series of thought-provoking questions: When was the last time this person laughed? And at what?
You might diligently fill in answers and start to write your story. Or you might begin to write your story until you feel blocked and then bring out the worksheets to explore character.
Regardless of the timing of this work and the hours spent, it’s quite possible you’ll feel no closer to understanding your characters in any useful way than you did at the outset. Here’s why.
We are not alone in this world
It is a rare story that has a character utterly isolated. We do not exist in a vacuum; we live in a world inhabited by others. Others influence us. Consider how you can be in a room, in the midst of a party, and behave a shade differently — or even more than a mere shade — with each of those people at the party. Have you ever met someone, begun to get to know them, and found yourself saying things that surprise you?
