Writer’s Tool Review: Main Character Survey by Manon Eileen

Over time, I have come across much information on how to outline characters and give them an appearance and personality. What I longed for was a tool that would allow me to simply have all there is on a character in one place, with simple questions that will help you define your character’s identity and personality, there were some, but none as comprehensive as I was looking for. As a clinical psychologist, I appreciate a careful outlining of and consistency in personality of a character. Outlining a character is not just making up a miserable history for him or her, there’s a lot more to a person than just life experience. For instance, how does a person deal with a certain issue he or she has no experience with whatsoever? This is decided by personality traits, which, in a way, are already determined when one is born.

If you know everything about your character beforehand, you won’t have to rewrite so many of his or her reactions to events in the story, after you have finished writing it.

This Survey is the product of a combination of my research and my knowledge on the human psyche. By simply filling in every field in this document and following the directions as completely as you can, you will have a very comprehensive and complete overview of your character, with everything in one place. It might seem I ask a lot of questions and it might seem a lot of work to put into a character, but my bet is that you’ll be happy you completed this survey when you start writing your story.

If you have any suggestions, questions or comments, please feel free to shoot me an email at manoneileen(at)gmail.com.

Good luck with outlining your character and writing your story!

–> Click here to go to the Survey!

P.S. Make sure you fill in the Survey as completely as possible :) And after you click submit, you have to print and/or save the page so that you don’t lose it. There’s a Print|PDF button on the bottom of the results page (just like here), click that and you’ll be able to save it properly.

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Posted by on May 28, 2011 in Featured Content, Writing Tools | 6 comments
  • http://twitter.com/Vicky_nfs Vicky

    Wow, I just had a quick look at the survey and I’m pretty sure I’ll be using it in the future. I love how complete it is, really, I think it’s great!

    • http://www.manoneileen.com Manon Eileen

      Hi Vicky :D Thanks, and I’m glad you like it. I’m currently working on a web-based form because it doesn’t seem to be working properly for all Word formats… Until then the Word file will remain available!! ^_^ 

  • http://twitter.com/GeneLempp Gene Lempp

    Very nice Manon! Downloaded it and will be looking it over. I have a fairly extensive “interview” document I use as well, but I’ve already noticed a few things on yours that will add to and deepen that process. Thanks :)

    • http://www.manoneileen.com Manon Eileen

      I’m very glad you like it, Gene :D Hope it will help you in the outlining process!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robin-Lythgoe/100000562546329 Robin Lythgoe

    Very nice! This looks pretty extensive and you’ve listed some things that I would definitely like to consider when creating characters. 

    FYI, when downloaded with a Mac the “.docm” document appears as a compressed file but opens in the standard TextEdit or in Pages (without double-clicking, which produces a series of alternating .docm and allegedly archived .cpgz files with increasing numbers added…).  However, the links to outside sources are lost. Can you include the simple URLs? Alternatively, have you tried saving the document as a PDF?

    • http://www.manoneileen.com Manon Eileen

      Hi Robyn, thank you!

      Actually, I decided quite short after I published this thing that the downloading doesn’t work. There are too many factors too consider (operating systems, word processers, browsers, etc) that I’m currently working on making it an online php-based form that will be published on this site. It will be pretty nifty when it’s done and it will probably (hopefully) work for everyone, regardless of what system is used.

      I hope to have it finished today, but it’s a lot of work so it might be tomorrow…

      ^_^  Thanks again!