Ever read a book where the character’s personality just leaps off the page? You know the kind—where you feel like you could meet them for coffee and gossip about their fictional lives. The magic behind these dynamic, relatable characters is often found in the subtle art of word choice.
As writers, we hold the power to breathe life into our characters by choosing words that reflect their personality, quirks, and motivations. Let’s dive into the process of selecting words that not only define your characters but also resonate with your readers.
Unlocking the Secrets to Compelling Character Traits
Character traits are the building blocks of a character’s personality, behavior, and actions. They are the characteristics that make a character unique and relatable. Understanding character traits is essential for creating believable and engaging characters in your writing. By understanding character traits, you can develop characters that readers can empathize with, root for, or even love to hate.
Character traits can be broadly categorized into positive and negative traits. Positive traits include characteristics such as kindness, empathy, and honesty, while negative traits include characteristics such as cruelty, dishonesty, and selfishness. A well-rounded character should have a mix of both positive and negative traits to make them more relatable and realistic.
Types of Character Traits
There are several types of character traits, including:
Personality Traits
These are the characteristics that define a character’s personality, such as their values, beliefs, and attitudes.
A great example of this is Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus is defined by his strong sense of justice, compassion, and moral integrity. For instance, he defends Tom Robinson despite societal prejudice, demonstrating his commitment to fairness and empathy.
Physical Traits
These are the characteristics that define a character’s physical appearance, such as their height, weight, and facial features.
A great example of this is Harry Potter from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Harry is described with distinctive physical traits such as his round glasses, a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, and messy black hair. His glasses, in particular, become a symbol of his identity and his connection to the magical world.
Moral Traits
These are the characteristics that define a character’s moral compass, such as their sense of right and wrong.
A great example of this is Jean Valjean from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Jean Valjean’s moral traits include his deep sense of redemption and his commitment to helping others, despite his troubled past. His act of taking in Cosette and raising her as his own daughter showcases his profound transformation and dedication to kindness.
Emotional Traits
These are the characteristics that define a character’s emotional state, such as their emotional intelligence and emotional stability.
A great example of this is Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden exhibits emotional traits such as deep-seated alienation, depression, and a struggle with emotional stability. His frequent outbursts and feelings of disconnect from those around him illustrate his ongoing internal conflict and emotional distress.
Character Traits: More Than Just “Nice” or “Mean”
When describing a character trait, the temptation is to fall back on obvious, flat adjectives—words like “kind,” “angry,” or “brave.” But let’s be honest: calling a character “nice” is like describing a Ferrari as “red”—you’re missing the good stuff under the hood. Characters are more than one-word traits; they’re complex humans (or vampires, space aliens, take your pick) with layers of emotions, quirks, and flaws.
One technique to add depth is to layer traits with contradictions. Think about how “brave” could morph into “reckless” or “determined,” depending on the context. A character might be “resilient” instead of “strong,” adding nuance to their persona. Pair a positive trait with a flaw: maybe your protagonist is generous but naive, or fiercely independent but afraid to ask for help. This duality gives characters depth, making them feel human.
As author John Truby says, “Characters are what they do,” so the words you use should reflect not just who they are, but how they behave.
Creating a Character Profile
Creating a character profile is an essential step in developing a well-rounded character. A character profile should include information about the character’s:
- Personality traits: What are their strengths and weaknesses? What motivates them?
- Physical traits: What do they look like? What are their physical strengths and weaknesses?
- Moral traits: What is their moral compass? What do they believe in?
- Emotional traits: What is their emotional state? How do they react to different situations?
By creating a character profile, you can develop a deeper understanding of your character and create a more believable and engaging character.
Positive and Negative Traits: The Balancing Act
A well-rounded character, much like a good cocktail, is all about balance. We’ve all encountered characters so overwhelmingly good they border on saintly—booooring! Or villains so evil, they twirl their mustache on every page—predictable much? Great characters have a mix of positive and negative traits, making them relatable and human (or convincingly alien).
Here’s a technique: make your characters morally gray. They might lie for a good reason or break the law for a noble cause. This blend of positive and negative traits keeps readers engaged because, as in real life, no one is wholly good or bad. Even the hero needs a dark side. According to a Psychology Today article, human beings are hard-wired to be inconsistent, making layered traits far more authentic.
Reflecting Personality Through Physical Description and Actions
Words don’t just come from the mouth; they can also be seen in the way characters walk, dress, and even drink their coffee (black, no sugar, obviously). How characters carry themselves and interact with their world says as much about their personality as their dialogue. Does your character’s posture scream “confident,” or do their hunched shoulders suggest they’d rather be invisible? When you describe people, consider how their actions and physical appearance reflect their inner personality.
Another technique is to show personality through actions. If your character is precise and organized, they might straighten picture frames, stack books just so, or align their pens perfectly. On the flip side, a chaotic character might leave a trail of mess behind them. As they say, actions speak louder than words, and in writing, actions are words.
Character Personality Words: Describing Your Character’s Personality
Describing your character’s personality is an essential part of creating a well-rounded character. When describing your character’s personality, consider the following:
- Use sensory details:
When describing your character’s personality, amplify it by using metaphors or similes. For instance, instead of saying, “He had a calm tone of voice,” you could describe it as, “His voice was as steady as a calm sea, soothing everyone in the room.” This approach uses sensory details to make the personality traits more vivid and immersive. - Show, don’t tell:
Reveal personality traits through actions and dialogue, letting the reader infer rather than being told directly. For example, instead of saying, “She was impatient,” show her interrupting others or constantly glancing at her watch. Her impatience is conveyed naturally through what she does and says, giving readers a chance to connect the dots themselves. - Be consistent:
Ensure consistency by echoing your character’s traits through small but repeated behaviors. If your character is cautious, show them always double-checking doors or rereading texts. These consistent actions reinforce their personality subtly, even in minor moments, keeping their traits clear and authentic throughout the story.
Word Choice: Crafting Dialogue that Rings True
Now let’s talk dialogue. Just like in real life, how your character speaks reflects who they are, where they’re from, and what they want. Think about the difference between “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to” and “My bad, won’t happen again.” One is formal and remorseful, the other casual and perhaps indifferent. Same meaning, totally different vibe. When writing characters, ensure their dialogue reflects their unique background and personality.
A useful technique is mimicking real-life speech patterns. Consider the character’s background—do they use slang or formal speech? Are they verbose or succinct? A well-spoken character might lean toward complex sentences and fancy vocabulary, while a down-to-earth character keeps it simple. Also, don’t underestimate silence—what characters don’t say can be just as powerful as what they do say. Sometimes, leaving something unsaid hints at their personality or emotional state.
Using Character Traits in Plotting
Character traits can be used to create plot points and drive the story forward. By using character traits, you can:
- Create conflict: A character’s stubbornness can cause tension with another character, like in Pride and Prejudice where Elizabeth Bennet’s independence clashes with Mr. Darcy’s pride. For example, a character may refuse to compromise on a decision, leading to a heated argument that escalates the plot and challenges relationships.
- Develop character arcs: Traits such as fear or anxiety can serve as the basis for a character’s growth. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s initial reluctance to lead eventually transforms into bravery and responsibility. A character may begin the story by avoiding conflict due to fear, but by the end, they’ve learned to face it head-on.
- Create plot twists: A hidden talent or skill can dramatically change the course of the story, like in The Matrix, when Neo’s unexpected abilities reveal he is ‘The One’. A character might seem ordinary, but an undisclosed skill, like hacking or negotiation, can come into play at a crucial moment, shifting the direction of the plot.
By using character traits in plotting, you can create a more engaging and believable story that readers will love.
Character Change: Showing Growth Through Words
If your protagonist is the same person on page 300 as they were on page 1, you’re doing something wrong. Character development—also known as the hero’s journey—requires change, and characters traits can highlight this transformation. At the beginning of the story, your hero might stumble over their words, reflecting uncertainty or insecurity. But by the end, they’re delivering crisp, confident lines that show their growth.
Incorporating a technique like evolving dialogue is effective here. If your character starts off shy, they may use more hesitant phrases or filler words. As they grow, their dialogue can become more direct and assertive. Change in word choice is a great way to show development without explicitly stating it.
Consistency is Key: Words and Motivation
A well-developed character has motivations that drive their actions. And while a spontaneous decision can add excitement to your plot, characters’ actions and words should generally align with their core motivations and beliefs. If your character is a cold-hearted cynic, suddenly spouting off about the power of love might feel jarring—unless, of course, it’s part of their growth arc. Consistency in character actions and motivations is crucial for maintaining reader engagement.
The technique here is aligning word choice with motivation. For example, a character driven by revenge might use aggressive language, while someone who values peace will avoid conflict-heavy words. Keep your character’s motivation in mind every time they speak or act, so their personality remains consistent and believable.
Building Empathy: Making Readers Care
Here’s a tip from seasoned authors: Make your readers care. Easier said than done, right? The secret often lies in the words you choose to make your character relatable. Use language that evokes empathy—show their vulnerabilities, their fears, their desires. Describe the character in a way that makes the reader think, “I’ve felt like that before.” Remember, happy writing leads to more authentic and engaging characters.
A technique here is to use specific emotional language. Instead of saying, “He was sad,” you might write, “He stared at his half-eaten sandwich, feeling the weight of everything he hadn’t said pressing down on him.” Now the reader can feel the character’s sadness in a more personal, relatable way.
Bringing Your Characters to Life
The words you choose don’t just describe your character—they define them through their characters traits. Through thoughtful word selection, you create a living, breathing person who jumps off the page and straight into your reader’s imagination. Your character’s traits, dialogue, and actions all come together to form a complete personality that feels real and relatable.
As a writer, you’re essentially casting a spell with your words, conjuring entire worlds and populating them with characters readers care about. And if you’re looking for a little magic in your own writing journey, consider Spines—the platform that makes the publishing process as seamless as it is empowering. Spines blends cutting-edge AI with human expertise, ensuring your manuscript is in the best hands from start to finish.
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