50 Interesting Things about 'Poncho' Barnabas Woodburn

1. I don't know where I got the nickname Poncho
2. I've been called that so long I can't think of myself as Barnabas
3. I am a figment of Sandy's imagination, and the main character in her novel
4. Mary is the only woman I've every loved
5. The happiest day in my life was the day Mary became my wife
6. Mary gave me my son, Leonard
7. Mary died giving birth to Leonard
8. Because of Leonard, I couldn't die of a broken heart when I lost Mary
9. I make good bean soup
10. I used to make my cornbread from scratch, now I use a mix sometimes
11. Appearing neat is important to me
12. I haven't cut my hair since I retired
13. Leonard chose a lovely wife, who reminds me a lot of Mary
14. I have two beautiful, feisty granddaughters
15. I don't have pets
16. I wish I could say the same for Calvin
17. I won the lottery
18. That makes me think less about the tumor on my spine
19. The lottery money might ruin my life
20. For the most part, I have thoughtful neighbors
21. I like to write poems
22. My poems are usually silly verses, or love letters to Mary
23. I haven't driven a car in over a year
24. Leonard doesn't know I have given up driving
25. I still care very much about friends I've lost touch with
26. I think I've lost weight, but won't step on the scales
27. I don't care for Polo shirts
28. I don't tell Leonard, so he continues to buy them for me as gifts
29. Graham inspires and worries me
30. I trust Graham implicitly
31. Sometimes I wonder if Mary remembers me
32. I wish Leonard could have had a sister
33. The room at Leonard's house feels like both a safety net and a noose to me
34. I haven't danced since my wedding except in dreams
35. I've thought about letting Corina teach me to dance
36. I probably know more about Calvin than he knows about himself
37. I probably love him more than he loves himself
38. I am an Elvis fan, but don't own a single record
39. I wish I could have kept up with the kids on vacation
40. Graham sees through me but never lets on. I appreciate that
41. My favorite possession is the Pansy stationary
42. The kids have just about convinced me I need the recliner
43. I don't like pain pills
44. Anita gets on my last nerve
45. If I was younger and my heart didn't belong to Mary, I might hook up with Marcelle
46. The jewelry in Wendy's tongue turns my stomach
47. I've grown used to her tattoos
48. I hate wrinkles, in my cloths – don't mind the ones on my face as much
49. I'm worried I might have taken pills I don't remember taking
50. I wish I could still toss a horseshoe

Poncho is the main character in a novel I am working on. I thought this would be a good exercise in character development. It was fun, so I encourage other novel writers to do the same.