Internet Links for Characterization

When I teach writing all over the US, I often share this sheet with those in attendance to help them in creating believable characters. I've found these links to be helpful in getting a good understanding of my character and by creating a backstory for them. I hope you find these links helpful.

Creating realistic character’s is a key to writing a good novel. Developing these individuals as fully as you can to make the three-dimensional takes work, but when they are "real" and you know their personality, values, beliefs, and characteristics. Then you can incorporate true to life actions and responses in your novels.

As I create my characters through the years, I have found a number of website links that have proven invaluable in learning more about my character—his personality, his career, his likes and dislikes and even his appearance. I have learned that a character’s name truly reflects who they are.

Below you will find a variety of links that will help you name and create intriguing characters for you upcoming novels. Use your character’s POV to answer the test questions.
http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm

This link gives 80,000 male and female baby names with personality traits, health issues, personal relations and business attributed to that name

Example: Jerod
Your name of Jerod creates an idealistic, sensitive nature and a desire for culture and the refinements of life. You would work best in a relaxed environment at tasks involving writing, mathematical, or analytical skills that require concentration. You appear calm to others, but at times you suffer inwardly with nervous tension. You can find it difficult to express your deeper thoughts and feelings verbally. It is much more natural for you to express your deeper thoughts in writing. A lack of positivity and confidence is a source of difficulty in making decisions in business dealings. You are easily offended, and can suffer with moods of depression. You want the best, but lack the confidence and aggressiveness to materialize your desires. Procrastination is a weakness, for so often you are inclined to avoid issues and to leave things undone until the last moment when you are forced to take action. You are inclined to indulge in rich foods that lack proper nourishment. This name creates weaknesses in the heart, the respiratory organs, or the kidneys.

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www.parenthoodweb.com/babynames.html
This site allows you to put in baby names or meanings. Research on baby names and names and personality.
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www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
This lists the most 10 popular names between 1880 and the present.
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http://chatterbean.com/
Provides character and personality tests
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http://www.careerexplorer.net/
This site helps you determine a career personality.
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http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html
This site explorers aspects of characterization or personality, including romantic qualities.
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http://www.testcafe.com/
This site offers a variety of free tests on emotion, personality, motivation, relationships, IQ, and more
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http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Social_Sciences/Psychology/
This site provides many links to tests on careers, psychological and personality tests.
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Http://web.tickle.com/
This site provides quizzes, fashion, hairstyles, and information for younger characters.
I find these links helpful in creating characters, and whatever you can do to make your character’s come alive the better. Save these links and use them when you’re creating new characters.