This is part four of Kevin Yong's "Character Creation Guide" checklist, from an article originally written for Alpha-Omega #100.
POLITICS: If your story isn't about politics, it's probably safer not to bring it up if you don't want your readers distracted from what the other themes of your story may be. (Politics has a way of polarizing readers and drowning out all other discussions if not handled very carefully.) But whether or not you choose to bring politics into your stories, it helps as a writer to know your character's point of view even if the subject of politics never enters the story itself.
Political party: Is your character even registered to vote? Do they belong to a political party? Do they fit within the spectrum of the political (liberal Democrats, conservative Republicans, and moderates in the middle), or part of a smaller, independent movement (idealistic Libertarians, reform-minded populists), or possibly downright eccentric fringe groups (theocratic communist vegetarian secessionists, etc.)
Political involvement: Are they active in politics, volunteering for campaigns or donating to causes? Do they pay much attention to political news, or do they tune out except for the big Presidential races every four years? Do they care about the local politics of their community (school board, city council, etc.)? Of their state?
Left, Right, or Middle: How does your character describe their own political leanings? How would their friends, family, or co-workers describe them? (For example, a person that we might safely define as "liberal" might define himself as a "moderate" because he only reserves the word "liberal" to describe those to the far left of Karl Marx.) To provide a point of reference, who would be to the "right" of your character? Or to the "left"? How do they view people on the other side of an issue from them? (As a fellow patriot with an honest disagreement? As dangerously naieve and misguided? As contemptibly stupid and ignorant? As vile enemies of all that is true and right and decent in the world?)
Political and social issues most cared about? The world is too big to be passionate about everything. Are their certain issues that push your character's hot buttons? Are there issues they don't care about? Do they take to the streets in protest over abortion? Over the protection of sea turtle eggs? Do they write letters to the editor about gun control? Do they fall asleep from boredom during debates about income tax reform and ethanol farm subsidies.
PERSONAL LIFE: When your character isn't busy saving the world, having wacky misadventures, or teaching your readers valuable life lessons, what do they do in their "down time"... the sort of everyday things that may not be the focus of a story's main plot, but which help define their personality.
Sports: What is your character's favorite sport to watch on TV? (The Super Bowl? Olympic Figure Skating?) To watch live at a stadium? (Local basketball games? NASCAR races?) Did they play sports in school? (Badminton? Volleyball? Football? Cheerleading?) Do they still play sports as a hobby now? (Tennis with friends? An amateur hockey league? Bowling with the guys? Basketball in the back yard with their kids?)
Clothing: What are their commonly worn clothing styles and/or favorite outfits. Do they dress for comfort, for appearance, for functionality? Do they keep up with the latest fads, do they stick to a "classic" look, do they defiantly keep wearing clothes that have long since gone out of fashion? Do they dress to be noticed by others? If so, how, why, and by whom?
Favorite books and reading materials: Do they spend their time reviewing non-fiction in their field of work or hobbies? Study the scriptures daily? Do they enjoy classic literature? Pass the time with the latest bestselling novels? Focus only on the particular genres? Browse magazines? Collect comic books?
Pets? Does your character have a pet? What kind? For how long have they had it? How well were the pets treated? How and why did they acquire them? (For companionship? For security? As a gift?) If they don't have a pet, why not? Have they ever owned one in the past? Would they like to own one in the future?
Diet: What kind of meals does your character usually eat? Low-fat and healthy? Vegetarian? Deep friend? Do they follow trendy diets? Do they experiment with gourmet recipes? Do they stick with "safe" range of foods they're familiar with? What are their favorite meals? Favorite snacks? Favorite restaurants? Does he live off of cosmic energy and only eat for the sake of appearances among humans?
Favorite drinks? Water? Juice? Tea? Coffee? Soda pop? Alcoholic beverages? (and if so, what kind?)What can you always be sure to find in their freezer? What can you count on them ordering at a restaurant? Is their preference so predictable that it might give away the cover of a shape shifting imposter who bypasses their "traditional" beverage of choice?
Favorite pastime: How do your characters relax? What activity are they most likely to lose track of time while doing? What tempts/distracts them most when they are stuck with "all work and no play"? Do they prefer spending time off "out on the town" or relaxing around the house?
Favorite travel destination: Do they prefer seeing nature (mountains, beaches, etc.), touring cities (large metropolitan towns or quaint local villages), or visiting man-made attractions (theme parks, museums, memorials, etc.) Do they prefer spending vacations exploring somewhere new, or returning to cherished memories from the past?
Enjoys shopping? Are they the kind who see shopping as an adventure and a challenge? Or merely as a chore to be finished as quickly as possible? Is this true across the board, or only for certain items? Perhaps they see nothing wrong with shopping all day for electronics, but turn up their nose at the idea of shopping for new clothes. Do they experience the thrill of the hunt when spending the day scavenging back issue bins at a comic convention, or would they rather avoid the crowds and snipe for collectibles on Ebay?
Favorite flower? Someone who lovingly cultivates a garden of daffodils is a very different character than one whose home is decorated with potted nightshade and venus flytraps.
Musical taste: Is their taste more in line with "Classical" (Beethoven, Bach, etc.), "Cultural" (African tribal drums, Chinese festival dances, Irish jigs), or "Popular" (which might be anything from do-wop to gangsta rap). Are they avid fans/students of such music, or is it merely something they listen to as "background noise". If your character is religious, what role does religious music play in their lives? Do they love traditional hymns, but only in a church setting? Do they listen to contemporary Christian music? Do they favor it as a God-glorifying alternative to all other "mainstream" music, or do they shun it as a "sell out" for copying "worldly" art styles?
Other minor but revealing details about a character may include...
Favorite colors? Favorite movies? Favorite TV shows? Favorite radio hosts? Favorite video games? Other hobbies and interests?
VERY PERSONAL LIFE: Questions about your character's romantic relationships, and the standards that define (or compromise) their character.
Romantic interests: The more possible romantic interests or rivalries, the more dramatic tension (or comedic possibilities). Whom does your character have an interest in? Do others have similar feelings for the character? Are others aware of these feelings, or is it kept secret? Are they in a relationship or is it unrequited from afar? Does your character have past relationships that have shaped their outlook (or might return to complicate the plot).
What attribute does the character have that are attractive to others? Is it their appearance? Their confidence? Wealth? Power? Personality? Is it their virtuous moral character? Is it their conspicuous vices? (Some people like dangerous rouges.)
What traits does your character find most attractive in the opposite sex? Personality? Fame, wealth, power? Self-confidence? Appearances? Does your character accept the modern media portrayal of glamour as an ideal, or do they have their own standards for what is attractive? (Is their eye drawn to elegant models? Muscular athletes? Bookish librarians? Redheads with freckles?)
Relationship ethics? What governs your character's behavior in their romantic relationships? Does she have firm religious convictions against premarital sex? Does he go along with cultural traditions on what is "proper" behavior for the sake of reputation and appearances, but would be willing to break those rules if he thought he could get away with it? Have they taken vows of celibacy for the sake of devoting themselves to some noble cause? Are they unrepentantly promiscuous, and view relationships as a game to be played?
Their imagined ideal? What person or image (real or fictional) best symbolizes the character's imaginary "ideal" of the opposite sex? How would a character react if she actually met someone who resembled that idea? How would a character react if he found himself becoming attracted to someone who (at first glance) appeared to be the opposite of that imagined ideal?
Of your story's cast of characters, whom would they be most attracted to? Ignoring whether or not they are "just friends" (or even enemies) in your story, which other person from your cast of characters could be a potential match? Does either one of them (or both) recognize this? Do others?
Of your story's cast of characters, whom could they be tempted by? If your character is already committed to someone else, who else from your cast of characters could make them reconsider their affections? Could your character be lured away from their girlfriend or boyfriend? From their fiancee? From their spouse? If your character thinks they have found their "one true love", what would they be willing to sacrifice for them? Their job? Their existing relationships? Their good name? Could they be tempted to compromise their faith, their wedding vows, or their moral convictions? If they did, would the be able to self-justify it to avoid guilt, or would they actually feel remorse for their decision?
End of part four, to be continued
