15 Character Interview Questions You Need to Ask

Do your characters feel flat, forgettable, or all sound the same? Your characters are the voice and propeller of your story, so you want them to feel real, even if your story isn’t.

One of the best ways to get to know your characters is by conducting a character interview. This is exactly what it sounds like: a set of interview questions that you ask and answer from the perspective of each character. Character interviews allow you to dive into a character’s personality, past, and motivations to write a well-rounded and complete individual.

Develop your characters’ personalities with these fifteen interview questions.

1. Did they grow up nurtured or neglected?

2. What bad habits do they have? Good habits?

3. What advice would they give their younger self?

4. What annoys them?

5. What is their most treasured possession?

6. What is their character archetype?

7. What do they like to do for fun?

8. What do they consider an overrated virtue?

9. How would your other characters describe them in three words?

10. Are they more likely to fight with their fists or their words?

11. Who is the most important person in your character’s life?

12. What is in their pockets?

13. How do they view money?

14. Do they believe in heaven? What would their version look like?

15. What are they scared of—phobias and deepest fears?

For more on using character interviews to write well-rounded characters, watch this video. What’s your go-to character interview question that I missed? Comment below!

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