The Characters We Write Must Have Traits, Habits, and Flaws

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

I'm a people watcher. I'm sure most of you who are writers do the same. I pick up numerous character traits that way. I even read a cartoon the other day containing a terrific character trait, and I knew it would be perfect for one of my characters in my WIP. 

I keep a list of those I like—both good, bad, funny, and unusual traits. I've gathered these from people I know, things I've seen people do when I'm out and about. I've listed some but I have compiled an exhaustive list for me to choose my characters' traits. Here are a few of those.

Traits/habits

• Absentminded
• Bites fingernails
• Bold/blunt in speech
• Collects things, always has a pocketful of rocks, paper clips, etc
• Counts things
• Cracks knuckles
• Fickle
• Flirt
• Gullible
• Hard of hearing
• Hums
• Jiggles foot or leg
• Licks lips
• Makes lists constantly
• Nervous
• Picks at nail polish
• Polishes flatware
• Purses lips and taps with index finger while thinking
• Snaps fingers
• Speaks loudly
• Squeamish
• Stutters
• Taps foot
• Twirls hair
• Twitchy (can be a habit or physical problem)
• Have you ever known anyone who can't pass a mirror without checking their hair, lipstick, or whatever?

Minor Character Flaws:

• Aimless
• Apologizes constantly
• Clumsy 
• Glutton
• Gossip
• Lazy and unwilling to do things
• Naive
• Nosey
• Perpetually late
• Poor decision-making skills
• Poor hygiene
• Preoccupation with one's physical features
• Spoiled
• Spacey

Major/fatal Character Flaws

• Abusive
• Addicted (can be drugs, gambling, smoking, sex, serial killer)
• Always finding fault in others
• Blames everyone but themself
• Cruel
• Deceptive
• Greedy
• Inconsiderate
• Liar
• Narcissistic
• Possessive
• Reckless
• Revengeful
• Short-tempered
• Weak-willed

Don't forget phobias. Those can be really good to add to a character, especially for an antagonist. Why not have a serial killer who has arachnophobia or claustrophobia? You can find exhaustive lists online. 

What's your favorite trait from a book you're written or read? Join the conversation!

TWEETABLE

The Characters We Write Must Have Traits, Habits, and Flaws from @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Ane Mulligan lives life from a director’s chair, both in theatre and at her desk, creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five, she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist immerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, The Write Conversation, and Blue Ridge Conference Blog.