10 Fun Character Writing Exercises to Flesh Out Your Cast
Try these exercises to flesh out your shiny new characters!
So you've got a shiny new character bouncing around in your brain, or maybe you've been dragging one through a draft and thinking, "I don't even know you anymore." We've all been there.
The best way to get to know your characters? Make them talk. Or rant. Or spill their secrets. That's where character writing exercises come in! ✍🏻
These 10 writing exercises are fun, fast, and surprisingly revealing. You don't need a fancy setup or a 10-page backstory. Just a willingness to be a little weird.
So, open up a fresh Google doc (or your trusty notebook), and let’s get to know your characters a little better.
- Flashback Scene Pick a formative childhood memory. Happy, sad, strange - it's up to you!
Write the scene, then write one line that shows how that moment still affects them today. (Example, a character who once got lost at a carnival now double-checks every exit.)
- What's in Their Bag? Your character empties their bag, satchel, backpack, or pockets. What's inside? A crumpled map? Three types of snacks? A dagger wrapped in a scarf? A well-worn issue of Sailor Moon?
Objects tell stories. Even if they're carrying nothing, that's a story too.
- Worst-Case Scenario Drop your character into their personal nightmare.
• A betrayal?
• A magical power failing at the worst moment?
• A family dinner?
Write how they react - emotionally, physically, maybe even violently. Let them flail a bit, you'll learn a lot.
- Write a Love Letter Whether they're in love or not, have them write a love letter! It can be sweet, awkward, guarded, poetic, dramatic, however you want.
This is less about romance and more about how your character expresses their feelings.
- Describe Them Through Someone Else's Eyes Pick another character in the story - maybe a friend, rival, ex, or sibling. Write a description of your character from that person's POV.
You'll uncover traits your characters might hide or exaggerate about themselves.
- Reflections Write what your character thinks they see when they see their reflection.
This will give great insight into how your characters see themselves compared to how others see them.
- One Lie, One Truth Write two paragraphs, one where your character tells a lie about themselves, and one where they tell the truth.
Don't label them. Let someone else try to guess which is which. The contrast will show you where your character's pride, shame, or deepest motivations live.
- Voice Test: Inner Monologue Rant Your character's stuck in traffic, or in line at the store, or listening to someone chew very loudly.
What do they think - not what they'd say out loud, but the mental commentary. This exercise is great for dialling into their voice, attitude, and sense of humour. Or lack of it.
- What Are They Hiding? A journal entry, a voicemail they never sent, a note they burned.
Write down the one secret your character hopes never sees the light of day. The more personal and ricky, the better. This secret might just unlock your next plot twist.
- The Voice Swap To explore how deeply you know your character's voice, quirks, and worldview - and to develop contrast between characters.
• Pick two characters from your story. Preferably with different personalities or beliefs.
• Write a short monologue (200-300) words from Character A's POV about a specific event or opinion.
• Now rewrite that exact same monologue, but as if Character B is saying it. Keep the topic the same - but change everything else: word chioce, tone, logic, even what they care about.
Bonus Twist: Rewrite the scene with Character A trying to imitate Character B (and failing hilariously).
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Why it Works: This exercise helps highlight voice, bias, and perspective. If both characters sound the same when talking, you might need to rethink their voices. It's also really fun - and great practice for writing snappy dialogue.
The goal of these exercises isn't perfection. Its discovery. Whether you write them in throwaway snippets or full-blown scenes, each one will help you peel back another layer on your character, and maybe even your story.
Characters are at the heart of every good story, and taking the time to develop them through writing exercises can turn a flat, boring figure into someone you'll have fun with. Whether you try one or all ten of these exercises, the key is to enjoy yourself and explore.
And remember: even if the scene doesn't make it into your book, what you discover about your character will shape the story in all the best ways.
Now grab your drink of choice and dive in. Your characters are waiting to surprise you!
These exercises are great for fleshing out a character you already know - but if you’re still figuring out who they are, check out my post on four methods of character creation or how to fix boring characters. They’re a good warm-up before diving into these!
Got a favourite character-building prompt of your own? Share it in the comments - I'd love to try it out! ✨
✍️ Hop to it and keep writing! 🐸 - Krystal
