How to Develop a Character: 75 Must-Ask Questions to Bring Yours to Life
Your character isn’t flat — they’re just underdeveloped. Use these 75 revealing questions to bring your protagonist to life and create a story readers can’t put down.
WRITING & EDITING
How to Develop a Character: 75 Must-Ask Questions to Bring Yours to Life
When a character first enters your imagination, they’re little more than a whisper — a name, a vibe, a vague sense of what they might do in your story. But if you want your readers to care, to truly feel something for the people on your pages, you need to go deeper.
And that means asking questions.
A character development questionnaire doesn’t just help you understand what your protagonist looks like or where they grew up — it helps you uncover their fears, flaws, secrets, and dreams. It’s how you turn a concept into a fully developed person with agency, goals, and inner conflict.
In this post, you’ll discover:
Why character interviews are essential for strong storytelling
How to use character questions effectively (without overwhelming yourself)
A curated list of 75 essential questions to build unforgettable characters
How to integrate this process into your workflow with Koratech WriterPro
Why Character Questions Matter
You can write an entire draft with flat characters — but your readers will feel it. One-dimensional characters don’t create connection. They don’t spark empathy. And they don’t drive plot in meaningful ways.
Asking the right questions during the planning stage gives you:
Emotional depth to write consistent behavior and dialogue
Conflict and stakes rooted in real human motivation
Tools for plotting character arcs that evolve with the story
Whether you're a plotter, pantser, or discovery writer, a strong character profile makes everything easier. It anchors your choices — and reveals your character’s choices — as you write.
How to “Interview” Your Character
Character interviews are a writer’s version of roleplay. You imagine you’re sitting across from your character, asking direct (and sometimes difficult) questions.
You don’t need to write in full paragraphs — even quick bullet-point answers can spark scenes, traits, or conflicts. The trick is to listen to what your character says… and what they avoid saying.
You can do this with:
A pen and notebook
A digital template
The Character Profile Builder inside Koratech WriterPro (which lets you save responses, organize by scene or arc, and export directly into your manuscript companion)
Use This List as a Starting Point
Don’t treat this like a checklist. Think of it as a discovery tool. Choose a few questions from each category — or focus on the ones that relate directly to your plot.
75 Essential Character Development Questions
1. Basic Identity
What’s your full name?
Do you have a nickname? Who uses it?
How old are you?
Where were you born?
What’s your current job or role?
What do you look like?
Do you have any scars, tattoos, or physical traits you’re known for?
How would a stranger describe you?
What’s your daily routine?
What item do you always carry?
2. Personality & Behavior
Are you introverted or extroverted?
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Are you impulsive or calculated?
What do you do when you’re angry?
What makes you laugh?
What bad habit do you secretly enjoy?
What’s one word you’d never use to describe yourself (but others might)?
How do you handle stress?
What would you never forgive in a friend?
What do you want others to believe about you?
3. Motivation & Goals
What do you want more than anything?
Why do you want it?
What are you willing to sacrifice to get it?
What’s standing in your way?
If you could snap your fingers and change one thing, what would it be?
What does success look like for you?
What happens if you fail?
Do you think you deserve what you want?
What line wouldn’t you cross… yet?
What would you do if no one ever found out?
4. Fears & Flaws
What are you afraid of?
What fear do you pretend you don’t have?
What’s your biggest weakness?
What do you hate about yourself?
What are you ashamed of?
Who sees the worst side of you?
What triggers your self-doubt?
What’s one thing you regret — but wouldn’t undo?
What’s your toxic trait?
What’s something you avoid at all costs?
5. Backstory & History
What kind of childhood did you have?
Who raised you, and how did they shape you?
What’s a memory you keep replaying?
What lie did you believe for too long?
Who taught you the hardest lesson?
What did you want to be as a kid?
What’s your greatest achievement?
What’s your most painful loss?
Who betrayed you?
Who saved you?
6. Relationships
Who do you trust the most?
Who do you lie to?
Who do you secretly wish liked you more?
Are you in love? Have you ever been?
What do you look for in a partner?
How do you act in a relationship?
What kind of friend are you?
What makes you feel lonely?
What role do you usually play in a group?
Who knows the real you?
7. Conflict & Choices
How do you respond to danger?
What would make you betray your values?
Do you fight fair?
What’s your relationship with authority?
What line have you already crossed?
Have you ever broken the law?
What’s your greatest moral dilemma?
What’s worth dying for?
What’s worth killing for?
What do you want revenge for?
8. Beliefs & Inner Life
Do you believe in fate, free will, or something else?
What’s your core belief about the world?
What quote or mantra do you live by?
Who do you pray to — if anyone?
What’s the one truth you’re still afraid to admit?
Don’t Just Build a Character — Build a Voice
Once you know the answers, don’t just keep them in your notes. Use them to shape:
Dialogue style
Word choice
Character arcs
How they react under pressure
Ready to Build Characters That Feel Real?
Start using the Koratech WriterPro Character Forge to bring your characters to life — faster, deeper, and more consistently.
Click here to try the tool now and never write a flat character again.
