Before I start a novel, I write a character review of each character so I get to know them. I want to know their physical appearance, their likes and dislikes, what their typical day is–that sort of information. I also want to know those intangible bits that truly make each person unique.
Here’s a list to consider as you get to know your characters. These type of traits will shape their actions and reactions throughout your plot:
- absent-minded
Credit: Pew Research
- active
- affable
- ambitious
- amiable
- animated
- annoyed
- argumentative
- arrogant
- attentive
- decisive
- babyish
- dependable
- bewildered
- determined
- bossy
- candid
- capable
- care-free
- careful
- caustic
- cautious
- charismatic
- charming
- clever
- cold-hearted
- compassionate
- complacent
- conceited
- concerned
- confused
- confident
Credit: Pew Research
- considerate
- cooperative
- crafty
- cruel
- cultured
- curious
- determined
- daring
- demanding
- doubtful
- eager
- easygoing
- effervescent
- efficient
- embarrassed
- excited
- exuberant
- fair
- fanciful
- fidgety
- fighter
- finicky
- frank
- fussy
- facetious
- generous
- grumpy
- loquacious
- gentle
- hard-working
- harried
- hardy
- harsh
- humorous
- intelligent
- intrepid
- ill-bred
- immature
- impartial
- impolite
- impudent
- impulsive
- independent
- industrious
- inimitable
- insolent
- giddy
- jealous
- blasé
- diligent
- giving
- jovial
- boorish
- discouraged
- naive
- hospitable
- negligent
- lucky
- inventive
- insipid
- insistent
- lackadaisical
- leader
- lovable
- loyal reckless
- relaxed
- resourceful
- restless
- dutiful
- malicious
- mature
- bossy
- dishonest
- glum
- languid
- disparaging
- greedy
- lively
- busy
- disrespectful
- gregarious
- logical
- dissatisfied
- grouchy
For a book of character traits, you might try Linda Edelstein’s Writers Guide to Character Traits. You might have better luck with it than I did. If you’re a highly-organized sort, you might enjoy pichu 4850’s character trait meme. Let me know if you find it helpful.
Pingback: 10 Hits and Misses for 2017 | WordDreams...
Pingback: 70 Collections to Infuse Your Writing | WordDreams...
best site ever and you the man
LikeLike
Pingback: What’s Trending on WordDreams | Jacqui Murray's WordDreams...
This was AMAZING! =) My aunt is in the hospital from a bike accident and most these things helped describe her ALOT. Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope she’ll be OK.
LikeLike
Pingback: Hey, don’t I know you? « Shereese's Blog
That’s a good idea, Connie. An arrogant, confident female and a compassionate emotional male. Jury’s still out whether that is working for Boehner, though.
LikeLike
This is an impressive list of character traits. Love it. Do share!
Where did you get the list or did you create it? This was very informative. 🙂
Thanks,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I’m a collector. I have a Word table with about fifty rows for different designators I might like to use in my writing. I have clothing styles, facial gestures, dog activities, house descriptions, neighborhood descriptions, and more. They’re designed to jog my creativity if I feel dull. One is this long list of characteristics to remind me people are rarely unemotional. In a perfect writing world, they’d pop into my head at the right moment in a scene, but in reality, sometimes I struggle. Whatever works, huh?
LikeLike
Wat a great tool to use when wanting to mix things up a bit with your charachter…giving the female a few obviously male dominated traits will add a few ah ha! Thanks for this post!:)
LikeLike