Let Characters Surprise You
When you inhabit a character fully, they surprise you. They have opinions you didn't plan, use phrases you wouldn't choose.
Use this exercise to develop characters for your current project or create entirely new ones.
Answer as Them, Not About Them
First, briefly describe your character—or let the exercise generate one for you. Then the questions begin.
Questions range from simple ('What's your name?') to probing ('What do you regret most?'). You answer each one in character.
The exercise continues with follow-up questions that dig deeper based on your answers.
Related Exercises
Alphabet Challenge
A playful constraint that sharpens your vocabulary—each sentence must start with the last letter of the previous one.
Blind Mode
Write without seeing your text—trust your instincts and discover what emerges when you can't self-edit.
First Line Continuation
Skip the blank page—start from a compelling opening line and see where it takes you.
Genre Roulette
Your genre changes at set intervals—can you keep your story coherent while jumping from horror to romance to sci-fi?
POV Swap
Write the same scene from three different perspectives and discover how point of view transforms a story.
Hemingway Mode
Silence your inner editor—the backspace key is disabled, so you can only move forward.
Timed Sprint
Race the clock and push your writing speed—see how many words you can produce when time is tight.
Tighten Up
Practice the art of concise writing—learn to say more with fewer words.
Word Avalanche
Can you keep up? Word targets increase throughout your session, pushing your endurance to the limit.
Social Media Story
Tell a story through social media posts—master the art of narrative compression.
I Remember
A reflective exercise that unlocks memories and emotions—perfect for overcoming writer's block.
Basic Practice
The simplest way to build your daily writing habit—just you, a timer, and words on the page.