Getting to know your character.
Some writers use a method called biography. With this method you will get to know your character well. Some things to remember when writing: ‘anything that influences his relationships, habits, goals, beliefs, superstitions, moral judgments, and obsessions. You should know your character’s views on politics, religion, friendship, family; his hops, dreams, hobbies, interest. What are his prejudices?’*
An easy way to acquire this information is to sit down with your character and ask questions. In other words interview your main character(s) and get to know the surface of your supporting character(s).
In this interview(s) there should be a set of question you take into it. You come up with the questions. And each time, each story the questions maybe different. It is for you to decide.
As the interview progresses you can and will add questions. It’s you couch and your rules, what you learn from it will be your choice.
‘By the time you’ve thoroughly interviewed your character(s), he/she should have become like a dear friend or a hated enemy. Once you feel that close, you should be confident working with him/her.’*
Not everyone will feel comfortable with this approach. Writers of children stories will not use this very deeply but mystery, fantasy, etc. may.
*How to write a Damn good novel' by James N. Frey
Talks about interviewing your character. What kinds of questions to ask.
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Yes, this is a very helpful idea that many have and will use. It's kind of like an extended bio.
Although personally I take it even one step farther and sit down to tea with my characters. Something about getting a biography of sorts from the horse's mouth (so to speak) seems infinitely more natural to me. I think it's because I'm an ecologist; I'm used to studying organisms in their natural habitats! *laughs* 
Thanks for posting - I'm sure this has been found useful by many! 
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I was reading this and had to look at my book collection as the title rang a bell, and there it sat, the book by James N, Frey, *How to write damn good fiction*, not the same book I see, but another good one by him...it put a smile on my face.
Oh and I interview my characters, I have a list of questions, some are below...
What was it like living in your home when you were growing up?
What was the worst experience you had as a child?
What is your best memory from childhood?
Who were the people that raised you and what were their most memorable qualities?
Who are you today?
What makes you angry?
What are you afraid of?
What is missing from your life?
What is work for you and what is play?
What do you have that you would fight for?
What do you have that you would kill for?
What do you like most about yourself?
Where are your friends when you need them?
What makes you sad?
What is the funniest thing you remember?
How do you feel as a person?
What experiences have you had with love in your life?
If you had a free wish, what would you wish for and why?
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Hahahahahah funny. I love that we sortof have the same book. I've used this method in only one story and it's the one I'm working on now.
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getting to know you.
I like the idea of interviewing a character, perhaps you could help me with something else.
I have a problem when writing stories,they turn out to be a mixture of first person, and sort of third party. -
Thanks! These methods have been helpful for me!
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Cool
This will prove useful, Thank you -
hey
hey i liked this. lol Sometimes I feel as if my characters are real or friends of mine but i do believe this is will help with the writing process. -
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I hope it does help. I try it but it doesn't always work for me. lol
~*Brooke*~
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This is pretty good. I actually do this to the characters of my book. It gets a bond between us as if they were real. To the point that I now despise the King and everytime I write about him I get so angry and almost make him die. But he can't, not yet at least. Or maybe he lives. Never know.
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Really? Wow! I've only met one other person who has done this and I've done it a couple of times. I've never finished a story where I've done this, because I got distracted by some side story of my character lol.
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Interesting, I've never heard of this before. I may have to pick up that book. Thanks for posting!
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The book has several wonderful chapters but be warned this guy can ramble. lol
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This was very informative. Thank you very much for sharing it with us.
AmunKama -
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I just hope it helps some people. I know for me that it helps certain characters and on others it confuses me
Thanks
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