Take one of your book’s most important characters and concentrate on him / her when completing this creative writing exercise. Answer each of these questions deeply, expanding your responses where possible to include other questions that may arise. 

1. What do you know about this character now that s/he doesn’t know?
2. What is this character’s greatest personality flaw?
3. What do you know about this character that s/he would never admit?
4. What is this character’s greatest plus point?
5. What is this character’s favourite food and why?
6. What colour does this character like the best?
7. What songs does this character sing when no one else is around?
8. What is this character’s favourite film?
9. Does this character have a favourite item of clothing? How about a favourite pair of shoes shoes?
10.  What is this character’s secret dream?
11.  How many brothers and sisters does this character have?
12.  What is this character’s best achievement?
13.  Describe this character’s most embarrassing moment.
14.  What is this character’s deepest regret?
15.  What is this character’s greatest fear?
16.  Describe this character’s most devastating moment.
17.  What is this character’s greatest hope?
18.  Does this character have an obsession? If so, name it.
19.  What is this character’s worst nightmare?
20.  Describe this character’s mother.
21.  Describe this character’s father.
22.  Describe this character’s siblings or other close relatives.
23.  Describe this character’s bedroom. Include three loved items.
24.  What is this character’s date of birth? What traits does he/her have of his/her astrological sign?
25.  Describe a recurring dream or nightmare this character might have.
26.  How would a stranger describe this character?
27.  Who depends on this character? Why?
28.  How would a dear friend or relative describe this character?
29.  What is this character’s most noticeable physical attribute?
30.  Write one additional thing about your character….

Do you see how answering the questions about each of your characters in this creative writing exercise has opened doors where before there were only brick walls?  

If you complete this exercise with all your main characters, you’ll find that your book is completed in far less time, as you’ll feel like your characters are friends you’ve had for years.

-- From the Word Queen (and Court)