NaNoWriMo Tip #3: Create a Character Outline

By Dianna Dilworth 

nanowrimoNational Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) launched last week as writers around the globe try to write a 50,000-word novel draft in a single month.

To help the GalleyCat readers taking this challenge, we will be offering NaNoWriMo advice throughout the month. Last year, 341,375 participants wrote a novel in 30 days through the NaNoWriMo program. The writing marathon has generated more than 250 traditionally published novels, according to the organizers.

Our third tip is simple: Create a Character Outline. Write out a detailed description of who your main characters are. Create detailed interview questions to help you really flush out who these people are. Where do they live? Where are they from? What do they look like? How old are they? What do they like to eat? What do they drink? How do they dress? What do they do for a living? What are their hobbies? What are their best memories? What are their worst memories? What is their relationship like with their family? What are they afraid of? What are their dreams? Who are they married to? Asking these kinds of questions will help you have a better understanding of who your characters are when it comes time to put them in the story.