Defining a Character: A List

When I’m trying to discover how a character thinks, I try to get into their head. A good way to do that is to have a little interview with them, in character. Ask some basic questions, answer them in character. I’ve done something similar with one of my stories, where I had each character explain why they wanted to date the main character (trust me, it made sense for the story).

For an example, I’m going to answer some questions as Akemi, a fox girl in one of the campaigns I’m in.

What is your name?
I’m Akemi! It’s nice to meet you.

What are you?
That’s a little rude to ask. I’m a kitsune; you can tell because of my adorable foxy ears and tail!

What are your skills?
Well, for one thing, I’m smoking hot. That’s a good starting place. Also, I can make people do what I want…but I try not to. It’s not fair.

(At some points, you can pretend this is a real interview, and ask follow-up questions, if it makes sense. Really figure out what’s going on.)
What do you mean, not fair?
Well, I want to like people, and I want them to like me. I don’t want to make them like me, but sometimes I have to.

What are your weaknesses?
I’m not very good at fighting. I have weak arms, and I’m small, even for kitsune.

Who is your best friend?
Thaco. He…he’s perfect. He makes my heart sing. He’s the reason I wake in the morning, and the reason I go to bed at night.

Is there anyone else who is your friend?
I have lots of friends. There’s Leon, Griff, Tai, Nen…N-Nendra.

Is this Nendra not your friend anymore?
I…I don’t know. I hope so! But…can we go to the next question, please?

What are your goals in life?
I want to be a part of the stories I’ve been hearing. I want to be with the people who are in the stories. I want to live like I’m part of an epic fantasy.

What is preventing you?
Inexperience, mostly. I keep trying and trying, so I’ll get there one day. But for now, I’m happy where I am.

You can keep going like this, asking the kind of questions you want to answer. Make sure you speak in character, and you might even learn things you didn’t know.