Creative Writing
Graziano
Character Sketch
Please don’t confuse a character sketch with a short story, however, you may find it
overlapping with vignettes when we get to them. The point of a character sketch is to
familiarize yourself with a character before you begin work on a story and incorporate the
various other aspects—theme, setting, point of view, plot, etc. However, you may find your
story starts writing itself as you work through the character. Knowing your main character
inside and out is essential for a fiction writer. This character should be a close compatriot, an
intimate. Not only should you know the physical details of the character, but you need to
know them psychologically, intellectually and emotionally (note: Anson in “Mouses”). In
other words: What makes them tick?
Keep in mind the aspects of characterization—consistency, complexity and individuality.
Sketch a character that you find interesting and want to learn more about. Keep in mind
some of the following questions:
1. Where and when was the character born? Was there any specific events in the
character’s family life or childhood that would help us understand their motives and
personality? Give background information.
2. What does the character look like? Most people have at least one distinguishing
physical traits that makes them indentifiable. If you were to help someone pick your
character out of a crowd, how would you describe them?
3. Does the character have a job? What does he/she do with their free time? Do they
have any hobbies or participate in any recreational activities worth noting?
4. What type of educational background does the character have? Has the character
gone to high school? College? Has he/she learned everything they need to know
with a library card? Is he/she street smart?
5.
Describe the character socially. Does this character have a lot of close friends, very
few or none? Does she/he have a significant other? Is this character articulate?
Does he/she talk a lot? Describe their speech.
The character sketch should be 1-2 double-spaced pages in length. Feel free to add any
other details, use your journals on the first-person, anything that would help to introduce
this character to us. Don’t be surprised if you eventually find yourself doing character
sketches before beginning your stories. It’s a great way to focus and acquaint yourself with
the characters before setting them in motion.