Every time I begin a new project, I brainstorm a very basic outline of the story I want to write. This outline contains a simple description of the setting, basic plot points, and who will be my main characters.

For me, creating characters is so much fun. My first step is always to profile my protagonist and antagonist. What are their names? Sometimes, I use inspiration from someone I’ve met in life’s travels for either a first or a last name. Other times, I google baby names (insert decade) popular names (insert decade) or even unique or unusual names.

Once I have decided on their names, I scribble down a rough physical description of how I picture them. Again, just the basics: hair and eye color, race or nationality, physical description, any flaws like scars, a limp—you get the idea.

Now comes the fun part.

I often google their descriptions and browse the images that come up until I find one that looks like what I had imagined the characters to look like. I copy the images into a folder I name CHARACTERS. Now, whenever I’m writing, I can pull up the pictures to help imagine how they would talk, react, and move within the story.

Other times, I use traits from actual people that I know, or have met, in combination with characteristics that I create from my imagination.

My next step is to do an in-depth profile of each of my characters. Luckily, there isn’t any shortage of web articles and downloadable character templates available. I will drop two of them below, but feel free to skip any questions or make up questions of your own.

https://www.dabblewriter.com/articles/character-template

https://blog.reedsy.com/character-profile/

I also think about their backstories (events that occurred before this story begins) to help with character development and to shape their personalities and know what motivates them to do and say the things they will do throughout the book.

Here’s a free downloadable Character Backstory Template:

Although plot, setting, point of view, theme and conflict are also key elements to creating any story, without great characters, the reader won’t stay invested in what happens to them.