Here is the bare minimum definition I give a character before writing. And I don’t allow myself any more, either; I end up writing profiles instead of stories if I do. Each element gets at least one, and no more than three elements– a word or short, tweet size or so phrase. The catagories overlap a bit, so I just pick one to drop something juicy one.

* Description — highlight something significant or unique about the character– a personality trait, a distinctive aspect of their appearance, a repeated behavior, their social/professional status…
* Connection– Something outside the character that matters and effects them. Their lovers. Enemies. Organizations that back or oppose them. Pet causes. Something they own (or are missing!) of sentimental value. The key is, it’s external to the character.
* Situations– What sort of thing commonly happens to them?
* Issues– Why does that shit happen? What vexes/ helps the character? What plots are they part of?

I’ll post an example once the story they’re in is posted.