Eyeball,

The only list of questions I have typed up is from a screenwriting workshop I went to. I think the tutor took it from a book - apologies from not being able to reference it! They're fairly standard questions, though - not as inventive as what's under your bed (that's why it's fun to get someone else to make up questions to ask you)! I've pasted them below, anyway.

Catherine

Name:
Sex:
Age:
Physical Appearance:
How does s/he feel about her looks?
The character’s childhood in terms of:
a. Relationship to parents:
b. Relationship to siblings:
c. Other key people:
The character’s romantic life:
The character’s sex life and moral beliefs:
Character’s occupation:
Relationship with co-workers and boss:
How does s/he feel about work?
Hobbies/non-work activities:
What is the character’s philosophy of life?
Character’s political views:
Main aspects of character’s personality:
What is the character proud of?
What is s/he ashamed of?
What is her/his state of health?
How intelligent is s/he?
What is the character’s relationship to others in the story?
What is the character’s goal in the story?
Why does s/he want it?
Who/what is trying to stop her/him? Why?
What strengths will help her/him?
What weaknesses might hinder her/him?

Len, talking straight to you now,- where did the idea come from that after having done something that a writer thought got them closer to something, they had to in some sense 'claim it'? What on earth would a writer be doing wanting to 'claim' anything? What on earth are you talking about? Nobody suggested that after you did such a thing you would need to 'claim' it.
Becca.

Becca,

When LSD first hit the headlines, Artists, Writers and Composers experimented with inducing hallucinations and claiming that, while under, they were able to produce work that was made possible only through drugging themselves.

The point that I make is that they made sure that everyone knew what they had done in order to produce what they regarded as examples of rare, unique, 'different' or outstanding work.

I believe that work that can justify such descriptions can also be stimulated by ordinary, everyday actions, like in the bath or having a Burger which is hardly likely to
interest too many people as a source of inspiration.

Anyway if someone wishes to tie themselves to a chair all night or hang themselves upside down outside the bedroom window... so be it; it's a free world.

I guess that some people would be interested
if one claimed that this was the source of their inspiration.

Len

Catherine, your list is very similar to the one on New Novelist apart from, I think, one extra question to ask your characters:

What incident in the past has affected them most deeply.

This is the relevant backstory which has brought the characters to the situation they’re in at the start of the novel.

Dee
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I found them! This is the set I got off some web site ages ago. Excuse the capitals; it makes it easier to read if you want to print it off and play with it.

NAME
SEX
HOME
HEIGHT
EYES
HAIR COLOUR
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUIJA BOARDS?
FAVOURITE BOARD GAME
FAVOURITE MAGAZINE
FAVOURITE SMELL
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD
BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD
FAVOURITE SOUNDTRACK
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
ROLLER COASTERS ~ DEADLY OR EXCITING?
PEN OR PENCIL?
HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
FUTURE SON’S NAME?
FUTURE DAUGHTER’S NAME?
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME?
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
FAVOURITE ICE CREAM
DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?
DO YOU SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS?
THUNDERSTORMS: COOL OR SCARY
IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE POET?
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCOLLI?
GIRLS, WOULD YOU EVER ASK A GUY FOR HIS SHIRT?
GUYS, WOULD YOU GIVE A GIRL THE SHIRT OFF YOUR BACK?
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOUR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD GET A PIERCING, WHAT AND WHERE WOULD IT BE?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
WHAT IS ON YOUR WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SOFT DRINK?
FAVOURITE MOVIE
ARE YOU A RIGHTY, LEFTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS?
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANY WHERE YOU WANTED, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
IF YOU COULD BE ONE GARDENING TOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR?
FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
FIVE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKET/BAG

Catherine, yours looks really good for figuring out the plot and structure. These, I think, are good for the character's voice.
I'll post a set of my own answers later on.
Sharon

I'm going to play mediator here! I guess what Len is trying to say is that some writers who have done something extreme to inspire their work have tried to claim this makes the work more exceptional or makes them more dedicated writers or something. Therefore he's not criticising what some writers do in the name of research, but some of their attitudes about it. Am I right, Len?

As I've said, I've always written from experience, but if I had an idea about writing something I hadn't experienced, then I would indeed want to experience it.

Thanks for that addition, Dee. Sharon, that list is a good one! Has anyone seen those e-mail list of questions that people forward to see how well you know your friends? They would be good to use too!

Catherine

Catherine,

Yes... you are absolutely right. However I don't mind people talking 'straight' to me.

Thanks,

Len

No, I haven't seen the 'how well do you know your friends' lists. Are they similar?
Sharon

Sharon,

Oh, I wish I had one still in my inbox now, but I don't! It's when you are e-mailed a list of questions and you're meant to answer them and then forward the list to your friends. They are also meant to fill it in and e-mail it back to you and to their friends. Just one of those forwards you fill in if you're bored at work! I never thought of the literary potential of them before! But yeah, they're usually in the same vein as your list.

Next time I get one I'll post it up!

Catherine

Sharon, isn't your list a little like the questions you ask on early dates? I think it underlines the fact that we must think of our characters as real people and learn as much about them as we would do of new friends (or enemies, following the 'know thine enemy' principle.

Adele.

<Added>

Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your answers!

Adele,
It would be fascinating I am sure to learn exactly what were the first questions that one asked when meeting one's 'early dates'.

I once read a number of 'naughty questions' that one might pose on such occasions. I think it was Dudley Moore who said 'Would you like to jump in the car and take your knickers off?'

Len

And was it Jimmy Nail who said “Get yer coat. You’ve pulled.” ?

Dee & Len, you would make a great double act!

Whaddya think of New Novelist, Dee? I bought it and sold it straight on again, 'cos I couldn't get on with it. But then I never was very disciplined and ain't no piece of software going to change that.

Adele, it's so long since I had a date, I wouldn't remember if I ever used to ask these kind of questions. What's under your bed might be construed as a leading question, no?

I like it, Sharon. I’m terribly undisciplined – that’s why I’m browsing the threads instead of editing TWH - so it’s helping me to be more organised. I’m using it to build the characters and plot of Coming Back (shameless plug # 3) so that, hopefully, it will be a better constructed novel than the previous ones.

I’m just hoping it gets to be a habit before the novelty wears off!

Dee
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