Hi friends! Today, I’ll talk about why a character template matters for your fictional characters. I once tried writing without a character template. My characters ended up lacking depth and motivation. They felt dull. Writing my characters this way often leads to writer’s block. If I made a character feisty on page 1, then by page 55, they might act like a timid mouse who avoids conflict. This inconsistency creates plot holes. We can see how this can cause a plot hole and leave you trying to find a way to rectify the situation. A solid outline and character template can save you time and effort. They can also help you avoid writer’s block.
A good character template helps you stay organized. It ensures a complete understanding of your character and helps you avoid inconsistencies. For example, your character Bart, the hero of your romance novel, begins with brown hair. He is five feet nine, muscular, and weighs 200 lbs. By page 40, he becomes skinny, has frizzy red hair, and weighs only 150 lbs. See what I mean? This can avoid all this and make things easier and more streamlined.
Some writers will ask if they can write their novel without a character template. You can do this, and I have done it before. Yet, it creates a lot of extra work. I must revisit my character to understand it better. It is almost like I have two or three characters wrapped up in one individual. A template helps maintain good pacing in your story. This keeps readers engaged and interested in the plot.
My Process
Gemini
I like to start with Gemini. You can also use many character name generators online, but I find Gemini works best. I’ll ask Gemini to come up with 10 names for a character in my horror novel. He’s a young vampire slayer in his early twenties, searching for true love. The results give me a solid start on who I want my character’s name to be.
Canva
I will go to Canva with a brief idea of my character’s look and name. Then, I’ll ask Canva to create an image of the character. Now, I have a clear picture of my character. I know how they look, so I can use this when answering interview questions in the template. I put the picture I created from Canva in my template. It helps me build a better connection with my character as I develop it in my interview.
My Template
The last part of this process is now going to my template and putting my character’s picture in there. I can ask them the 92 questions in my template. This will help me understand everything about them. From where they grew up to why don’t they or do get along with their parents. I understand their relationships, visions, and goals. I also know where they worked and any health issues, like surgeries, they might have had.
Novel Crafter
I first grasp my character’s dreams, goals, relationships, and finances. Then, I add this info into Novel Crafter. I will start a Novel Brainstorm Template. I’ll use this along with my character templates to create a detailed outline for my novel.
My Customized Template
If you would like to check out my customized template, I have one here that you can check out on Gumroad. Tell me what you think in the comments.
Final Thoughts
A strong character template and outline can save you a lot of time and stress in your writing. I use this method for all my fiction. Having a roadmap helps me see where I am and where I’m going. This takes away a lot of stress.
Your Thoughts
Tell me, do you use character templates for your writing? If not, what method do you use when writing your novel? I would love to hear from you. Thank you so much for reading this post. Have a great night. Best wishes.
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