This is a character generation sheet you can use with your stories. It is a STARTING POINT and not perfect. The goal is to provide a structured prompt to feed into an AI that will generate the character sheet, allowing you to focus on writing. This allows you to provide the key characteristics you think or know about and let the AI create the rest. Some of the items on the list are similar, allowing you to see how the AI provides different perspectives. – Your characters are not simply one-dimensional.
NOTE: You start with what you know/want for your character (male, mid-30s, Bob) and let the AI create the other stuff.
NOTE: You are in control. Change what you don’t like. It is your story!
The second part is to have a reference for the character. You can feed the character sheet to an AI and have it analyze how your writing aligns with it. Is the voice consistent? Do they show the qualities you want?
The bonus is to have the AI generate an image of your character from the character sheet so you have a reference.
Remember: Ask the AI to create what is needed and fits your story. The convenience store clerk may not need a full character sheet, but the AI can make one, so you spend more time writing.
AI Prompt for Book Character Generation
Human part:
For this prompt, you decide the importance of the character you are requesting. If you know any of the characteristics of the character, make them part of the input you give the AI through the prompt. If you know the villain is young, has a specific experience (e.g., army), and has a goal. You can list the top character traits you want the character to have.
You will store the output generated to use later when you ask the AI to check your writing about the character.
What you SHOULD provide:
Level of importance (Major, minor, extra):
Top character traits (loyal, smart, intelligent, gullible, unreliable, etc) [which of these is a flaw]
https://www.writerswrite.co.za/a-fabulous-resource-for-writers-350-character-traits
This is the AI prompt:
Generate a detailed character profile for a fictional book character. Start with the items in the input section. The profile must be suitable for further development and integration into a story. Please adhere to the specified format and include all requested elements in the output section you generate. The output should be a structured character sheet in markdown format, using clear headings that can serve as input for AI analysis of a character in a book. After generating the character details, create a cartoon image that matches the character’s details.
Input section:
Level of importance (not words in the story) [Major, minor, extra]: Major
Story Genre/setting: Fantasy
Character Archetype/Role: bard
Gender: male
Age: 30
For a main character(s), add these to the AI prompt (These are important to the story, and you may already have these – use them as inputs:
* Fatal flaw – a misbelief the character has about the world or themselves.
* Internal conflict – The character wants something, but they’re afraid of a thing that prevents them from achieving their goals.
* Greatest fear/phobia – could be related to internal conflict.
* Clear Goals – the goal this character will achieve as they overcome their internal conflict. This may be unspoken.
Output section:
Character Sheet Structure:
I. Core Identity:
* Full Name: [Character’s full name]
* Ethnic or regional variations
* Nickname(s)/Alias(es): [Any nicknames or aliases]
* Title or salutation (Sir, Dr., Father, Honorable, Majesty)
* Post name add-ons (Esq),
* Age: [Character’s age – can be specific or a range]
* Gender/Pronouns: [Character’s gender identity and pronouns]
* Species/Race: [e.g., Human, Elf, Android, etc. – relevant to genre]
* Occupation/Role: [Character’s job or primary role in their society/story]
* Why are they important?
* Level of importance (not words in the story) [Major, minor, extra]
II. Physical Appearance:
* Overall Build: [e.g., Slender, Muscular, Average, Stocky]
* Height: [Character’s height]
* Hair: [Color, style, length]
* Eyes: [Color, shape]
* Distinguishing Features: [Scars, tattoos, birthmarks, unique accessories, etc.]
* Typical Attire: [What they usually wear]
* Demeanor/Posture: [How they carry themselves, e.g., Confident, Slouching, Graceful]
III. Personality:
* Key Personality Traits (3-5): [e.g., Brave, Cynical, Optimistic, Introverted, Impulsive]
* MBTI/Enneagram (Optional): [If you want a specific personality type framework]
* Strengths/Virtues: [Positive aspects of their personality]
* Weaknesses/Flaws: [Negative aspects or areas for growth]
* Likes: [Things they enjoy]
* Dislikes: [Things they dislike or avoid]
* Internal conflict
* Fears/Phobias: [Deep-seated fears]
* Goals/Aspirations: [What they want to achieve]
* What do they value most: money, success, family, fame
* Motivations: [What drives them to achieve their goals]
* Quirks/Habits: [Unique behaviors or habits]
* What makes the unique or stand out in the story:
IV. Background & History:
* Brief Backstory Summary: [A concise overview of their life up to this point]
* Place of Origin: [Where they were born or grew up]
* Family/Significant Relationships: [Key family members, friends, mentors, rivals]
* Education/Training: [Formal or informal learning experiences]
* Significant Life Events: [Events that shaped them]
* Secrets: [Something they hide from others]
V. Skills & Abilities:
* Primary Skills: [Main talents or abilities, e.g., Swordsmanship, Hacking, Diplomacy]
* Secondary Skills: [Other useful skills]
* Magical/Supernatural Abilities (if applicable): [Details of any special powers]
* Weaknesses in Abilities: [Limitations or drawbacks to their skills/powers]
VI. Role in Story (Conceptual):
* Potential Character Arc: [How might this character change or develop?]
* Internal Conflict(s): [Struggles within themselves]
* External Conflict(s): [Challenges they face from the outside world/other characters]
* Relationship to Theme (Optional): [How might this character connect to potential story themes?]
VII. Voice & Dialogue:
* Typical Speech Pattern: [e.g., Eloquent, Sarcastic, Terse, Formal, Uses slang]
* Favorite Sayings/Catchphrases (Optional): [Any recurring phrases]
VIII. Extensible Elements (To be filled by AI or User Later):
* Possessions: [Significant items they own] – what do they keep in their pocket
* Home/Living Situation: [Where and how they live]
* Moral Alignment (Optional): [e.g., Lawful Good, Chaotic Neutral – if using alignment systems]
* [Custom Field 1 – User can define]:
* [Custom Field 2 – User can define]:
IX. Additional Notes/AI Creative Input:
* [Space for the AI to add any other interesting details, ideas, or plot hooks related to the character that don’t fit neatly into the above categories.]
Example 1:
Input section:
Gender: male
Age: 30
Species/Race: Elf
Level of importance: minor
Example 2:
Input Section:
Age: 20
Level of importance: Major
Arctype: hacker
Example 3:
Level of importance: Antagonist
Age: 60
Race: Human
Fatal flaw: Dwarf’s are trying to wipe out humans
Greatest fear/phobia: He can’t prevent the treaty between humans and dwarfs.
Clear Goals: Stop the treaty and prove dwarfs want to destroy humans.
AI image:
After the AI has generated the character sheet, ask the AI to create an image you can use as your reference as you write.
- Create an image of the character you generated.
Remember, you should change whatever you want. It is your character; it is your story.
