The Writer’s Playground Series – Character Hot Seat

Character Hot Seat

• Objective: To flesh out a character’s personality, back-story, and motivations.
• How to Play:
  1. One writer volunteers to put one of their characters (pre-existing, themselves, or made up on the spot) in the “hot seat.”
  2. The rest of the group acts as journalists or interrogators, asking the writer questions.
  3. The writer must answer from the character’s point of view, in their voice. Questions can range from “What’s in your pocket right now?” to “What is your biggest regret?”
• Best for: Deepening character development, finding a character’s voice.

Make up your own questions, but here are some to get things started:

The Everyday & The Immediate

(These are great for warming up and establishing the character’s voice.)

1. What’s in your pockets (or your bag) right now?
2. What was the last meal you truly enjoyed?
3. What is one small, mundane thing that never fails to bring you joy?
4. How do you sleep? (e.g., soundly, restlessly, on your back, curled up).
5. What is a sound or smell that you strongly associate with your childhood?

The Past & Defining Moments

(These questions explore the backstory that shaped the character.)

1. What is your earliest memory?
2. What is the story behind one of your scars (physical or emotional)?
3. Who was the first person to ever break your heart?
4. Describe the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.
5. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?

Values, Fears, & Motivations

(These questions get to the core of what drives and limits the character.)

1. What is the one thing you want more than anything else in the world?
2. What is a line you would absolutely never cross?
3. What is a lie you tell yourself most often?
4. What are you most afraid of, and why does it frighten you?
5. Do you believe in fate, or do you believe you make your own destiny?

Relationships & The Self

(These questions examine how the character sees themselves and others.)

1. Who do you trust most in the world? Who do you trust the least?
2. How would your best friend describe you? How would your worst enemy describe you?
3. Do you find it easy to forgive people?
4. What is a secret you have never told another living soul?
5. When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Hypotheticals & Probes

(These questions reveal personality through imaginative scenarios.)

1. If you found a bag of gold on a deserted road, what would you do with it?
2. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be?
3. You have one day left to live. How do you spend it?
4. What animal do you feel the most kinship with?
5. If your life were a song, what would the title be right now?