Pick out a favorite tarot deck, preferably one with inspiring artwork loaded with symbolism, and do one of the following exercises. If possible, use a deck with which you aren’t too familiar. Draw a single card and… Look at any…

Tattoos are just one of many interesting and unusual ways to add to a character. Consider using one here or there where appropriate. #16a. List out as many interesting tattoo designs as you can think of. #16b. Take the list…

There’s no need to detail your characters’ every piece of wardrobe. Oftentimes, you just need one or two details for each character. You need something that stands out. You need something representative of the character.

This is an exercise for someone who’s already created a few characters. Pull out your notes and your character sketches. If you’ve ever played a roleplaying game then this should be second nature to you. The idea is to get…

Think back to what it was like to be a child or early teenager. Remember the intense emotions, the day-to-day concerns, the close friendships, the bitter rivalries, and so on. Pick a character–yourself, a character from a story you’re writing,…

Perhaps you’ve created your own world in which you set your fiction. It could be a fantasy world, a science-fiction world, a horrific world, or something just a step to the left of boring old reality. If you aren’t a…

If you’ve come this far then you probably have a few characters that you’ve created along the way. Now let’s play with them. #15a. Pick an aspect of your character’s personality and exaggerate it. Take it to extremes. Pick a…

Pick a place that you’ve always wanted to go to, but preferably haven’t actually visited. Write about it. Alternatively, take this exercise from the point of view of one of your characters. What is her dream vacation spot? #10a. Describe…

A portal has just opened up in front of you. You step through. Where do you find yourself? If you’re a fiction writer, you can use one of your characters in place of yourself in these exercises.