I read an article once that suggested using a questionnaire to design characters. I thought this was a fabulous idea to expand on who you’d like your character to be. Initially, when I have an idea for a character its based on someone I might have observed in my life and then I tend to expound on who I want the character to be by asking questions. Here is an example of questions you can ask of your characters via Gotham Writers’ Workshop’s Writing Fiction:

What is your character’s name? Does the character have a nickname?
What is your character’s hair color? Eye color?
What kind of distinguishing facial features does your character have?
Does your character have a birthmark? Where is it? What about scars? How did he get them?
Who are your character’s friends and family? Who does she surround herself with? Who are the people your character is closest to? Who does he wish he were closest to?
Where was your character born? Where has she lived since then? Where does she call home?
Where does your character go when he’s angry?
What is her biggest fear? Who has she told this to? Who would she never tell this to? Why?
Does she have a secret?
What makes your character laugh out loud?
When has your character been in love? Had a broken heart?

These are great questions to get you started. Please share in the comment section below how you design your characters.