Character

Character development, made accessible

Character development stands as one of fiction’s most exciting challenges. A character profile template can guide you through it — and Reedsy Studio’s character profile template is the proven framework that authors everywhere use to develop complex, believable characters.

Start with the basics — name, role, and physical description — then dive deeper! The template adapts to your process, not the other way around. With the ability to add, remove, or customize sections as needed, you’ve got complete flexibility to build the character profile template that works for you.

Build characters that feel real

Get access to 50+ curated questions in Reedsy Studio that guide you through every dimension of character development, from backstory, psychology, relationships, and growth arcs. Every question’s been tested and developed to help facilitate thoughtful character development. Sample them below:

Looks & build

• Describe them as if you caught sight of them across an open field.
• How would you describe their natural build and frame?
• What qualities of their face make them memorable?
• What is their default facial expression? Fill in the blank: They have a resting _____ face.

Style & dress

• Show someone forming a first impression based on their outfit.
• What is their signature or preferred outfit?
• Consider their staple item for each season.

Speech & mannerisms

• What are their distinguishing mannerisms?
• How would you describe the sound of their voice?
• Write out a joke they would tell or a situation they’d find funny.

Early life & background

• How do they talk about their hometown when asked?
• What kind of family were they born into?
• What is their earliest memory?
• How did their childhood shape them?

Family & key relationships

• Who counts as chosen family?
• Who do they think about nowadays in the past tense?

Personality

• What kind of a person are they?
• What’s their Myers-Briggs personality?
• What are their pet peeves?
• How do they approach love?

Psychology

• List their bucket list at the age of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50.
• What are their emotional triggers?
• What do they value above all else?

Id

• What is their greatest goal?
• What is their greatest fear?

Each prompt is 100% customizable, so that you can tailor it to your character and create your own Q&As to dive as deep as you want.

Integrate your characters into your plot and world

Just as no man is an island, characters don’t exist in isolation. In Reedsy Studio, you can connect your character profiles directly to other planning templates — all to build a network of interconnected story elements that inform and strengthen each other.

You can even map character profiles directly to each other. Link your protagonist to their rival, their mentor, or their romantic interest to keep track of the web of relationships that shapes who each person is. We give you the tools to connect all of the dots in your story universe.

Your characters, always with you

And we mean it, too! Reedsy Studio automatically saves every change you make. Your templates are always current, always accessible, and always backed up.

Not to mention, Studio works on any device, so you can work on them wherever you are. That means that your entire story world travels with you (and your muse).

A character profile template trusted by hundreds of thousands of authors

Downloaded by over 300,000 authors since we first created it, our character profile template has been a staple in the writing community for years. And now it’s more powerful than ever, as we’ve upgraded and integrated it into our story development ecosystem.

The Ultimate Character Profile Template includes:

• Customizable sections for personality, backstory, motivations, and relationships
• A bank of 50+ pre-built questions
• Character arc development from beginning to end
• A flexible structure you can adapt to any genre or story type

Beyond the template, Studio provides:

• A full universe of planning templates—worldbuilding, story structure, scene planning, timelines, and more
• Seamless integration between all templates and your manuscript
• Full-featured manuscript editor for drafting and revision
• Automatic saving and cross-device syncing
• Export options in multiple formats
• Collaboration tools for writing partners
• Distraction-free writing environment