Writing Tutorial: How to Create a Character Profile

Discover the techniques experts use to create engaging nonfiction character profiles, with Eileen Truax

Capturing the essence of a real person in writing, whether they’re famous or not, is no easy feat. Think of a friend or family member you have known your whole life: has their behavior ever surprised you? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. So how can you use writing as a tool to give that character the multiple dimensions they deserve?

Multi-award winning Mexican journalist and author Eileen Truax (@eileentruax) is an expert at combining facts with storytelling techniques to write captivating nonfiction pieces. Her articles have been published by some of the biggest media outlets in the world, such as The New York Times, Vice, and The Washington Post.

For Eileen, it is important to study other strong character profiles before you begin writing your own. Join her as she takes you through one of the most famous character profiles ever written and explains the different narrative devices used to create a compelling portrait of Frank Sinatra.

How to Write a Nonfiction Character Profile

1. Choose the individual you want to profile

Whether your subject is a Hollywood star or a hermit, every person has a unique story behind them. It’s worth bearing in mind that writing a profile about someone famous can be more difficult than profiling someone unknown due to the sheer volume of information available.

2. Study a strong character profile

The 1965 article by Gay Talese, “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold,” is one of the most famous character profiles ever written. Even though the author never secured an interview with the world famous actor and singer, he used innovative approaches and methods that have since become indispensable to biographers and journalists. Even if you aren’t writing a profile of Sinatra, by analyzing Talese’s writing you can find clues about how to approach your own subject with the same amount of skill.

3. Set the scene in the first few lines

Don’t wait to introduce the subject of your profile: use the opening lines as an opportunity to set the scene and draw your reader’s attention to the character you will be profiling.

4. Return to specific scenes

Circle back to certain scenes to give continuity to the character and the narrative as a whole. Doing this at intervals throughout your piece will help to structure your profile.

5. Use small fragments of dialogue

All you need is a phrase, a few sentences, or a small paragraph of dialogue interspersed throughout your profile to give it rhythm. What do you want your reader to know about your character? Be selective with the insights you choose to reveal to your audience.

6. Show, don’t tell

What Talese’s article teaches us is that it’s more revealing to show what your subject does than to repeat what your subject says. How does your character interact with children? How do they behave with animals? How do they engage with social groups? Answers to these types of questions will breathe life into your character profile.

7. Bring your unique viewpoint

A character profile isn’t simply a written portrait of an individual. A profile is your interpretation of that individual. You will capture elements that maybe only you can see, which will make your character profile unique and engaging.

Did you enjoy this tutorial? If you’d like to learn more about how to write compelling nonfiction, check out Eileen Truax’s online course Nonfiction Writing: Tell Your Unique Story.

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