For all you writers, aspiring or experienced, below is a link to a great story continuity check list from National Novel Writing Month to refer to. Thanks to Stephen Nelson for suggesting and providing it.
Camp NaNoWriMo Tip
Continuity Check
How often have you read a book or watched a television show or movie and noticed something wrong?
I don’t mean errors in spelling or misnaming a character.
It could be a character’s physical appearance has changed like having a mustache in one scene and not enough time passed since the previous scene to grow a full moustache.
Does a character wear different clothes in the same scene or chapter without an explanation?
I find a “cheat sheet” helpful when I’m writing. I use a Word document with the essential details of each character.
I was surprised at the number of times that I referred to it when I write. It saves time when editing as well.
The headings and descriptions I use are as follows:
| Heading | Description |
| Character’s Full Name (Maiden Name) if applicable | This could include adopted name or name legally changed. |
| Age | Birthdate, age at the start of the novel or when certain characters meet. |
| Place of Birth | Useful when it explains customs and traditions a character has. Maybe the character immigrated and when to what region |
| Married | Name of Spouse and maybe the wedding date |
| Occupation(s) | Past (if applicable) and current occupation |
| Eye Colour | Obvious |
| Hair Colour and Facial Hair | Hair colour: Blonde, brunette, black, salt and pepper, grey, natural colour, dyed what colour, full head of hair, bald, thinning, beard, goatee, mutton chops, mustache |
| Body type | Tall, short, weight etc |
| Markings and Location | Tattoos, moles, liver spots, scars |
| Fears | Give the fear and why they might have it. |
| Hobbies | What are they and how they were introduced to them. Did a family friend or family member get them interested in them? |
| Wish | Something they would put on a bucket list to do or are unable to do. |
| Sense of fashion | Depends on the era they live in and what their income might be. Are they influenced be others? |
© Stephen Nelson 2020
Alex Binkley 