Survivalist Pro
Photo by RODNAE Productions Pexels Logo Photo: RODNAE Productions

What is the strongest trait?

Here we will feature the strongest and most intriguing character traits that can make your characters even better. Loyalty. ... Self-Control. ... Persistence. ... Spirituality. ... Impatience. ... Greed. ... Cruelty. ... Unforgiving. More items... •

What age should you be making 6 figures?
What age should you be making 6 figures?

The average person does not start making a six-figure salary until they are in their 30s. While there is no specific average age to make six...

Read More »
Can an Amish man marry a non Amish woman?
Can an Amish man marry a non Amish woman?

The decision to marry a person outside of the Amish church is one that comes with a decision to be made by the person in the community, but before...

Read More »

What are the strongest character traits that writers can use to create more compelling and engaging protagonists, antagonists, and villains?

There are two different kinds of traits that your story's characters will have — personality traits and character traits. Both are vital to creating three-dimensional characters that stand out on the page. Personality traits are those that refer to the range of distinctive personal qualities and attributes of the character. These are reflected in the outer actions of a character, defining who we think they are. They can refer to the outside personality of the character (quirky, charming, bossy, lazy, etc.) or their physicality (quiet, giggly, nervous). These traits are subjective and represent only the outer appearance and behavior of the character. In short, personality traits define who we think the character is — at least what their outer appearance tells us. Character traits are those that refer to a set of morals and beliefs that defines how characters treat or behave with others and themselves — who the characters actually are. These traits define the true essence of the character and therefore are the types of characteristics that can truly transform characters into more compelling and engaging protagonists, antagonists, and villains. And yes, there is a difference between antagonists and villains. Here we will feature the strongest and most intriguing character traits that can make your characters even better.

1. Loyalty

When a character is loyal to the bone, that will drastically affect their actions and reactions when conflict comes their way. If a hero is loyal to their mentor, they'll go above and beyond to save them. When an antagonist or villain is loyal to their brothers in arms, they'll go above and beyond to defend their honor.

2. Self-Control

When a character can control their emotions, their approach to conflicts will be altered as they handle things differently from someone that has no restraint. But the interesting factor to this character trait is presented when they have no choice but to take action, which makes that moment even more powerful.

3. Persistence

When a character displays unwavering persistence, you can inject even more conflict into the story and let the audience enjoy the thrill of seeing this character never give up.

4. Spirituality

When a character follows a particular faith or has an overarching belief in spirituality, that can transform a character's approach to any conflict, challenge, or situation.

5. Impatience

How do I know my needs?
How do I know my needs?

To start identifying your emotional needs, try writing a list under each of these areas. For example, ask yourself, “what would make me feel safe...

Read More »
Can you eat eggs everyday?
Can you eat eggs everyday?

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high...

Read More »

The clear opposite of self-control. When a character is impatient, that trait can conjure endless conflict that you, the writer, can write. A group may have a plan of approach to a conflict, but if just one character is too impatient, that can lead to utter chaos. An antihero is often one that lacks self-control — they act out and deal with the consequences later.

6. Greed

One of the strongest character traits a character can have is greed. Greed causes the worst kind of pain and suffering to oneself and others.

An antagonist can be powered by greed.

As can a protagonist that starts out with good intentions, but slowly suffers from the repercussions that greed can cause. Learn how to master character names and movie titles with this free guide.

7. Cruelty

Usually found in antagonists and villains, cruelty is the closest character trait to evil. It denotes a character that either enjoys harming others or can't help it. Regardless, injecting this character trait into a character can transform an even already threatening antagonist or villain and turn them into something even worse.

8. Unforgiving

When a character, good or bad, is unforgiving, the audience knows that once another character crosses them, it's over. This trait can offer writers an excellent character arc and theme to explore with their protagonists — when will they learn to forgive? Which also makes for a terrific climax as the audience waits in anticipation to see if the protagonist will finally learn to forgive. It works for both protagonists, antagonists, and villains.

9. Ambitiousness

Don't mistake ambitiousness for greed. Ambition is a strong desire to do something or achieve it, whereas greed is often an intense and selfish desire for something. Thus, this character trait is often attributed to a protagonist.

10. Fearless

When a character is fearless, they never hesitate to put themselves in harm's way to accomplish whatever goal the writer has tasked them with.

A fearless protagonist can keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

A fearless villain can chill them to the bone.

11. Vengeful

A character that seeks revenge will embody fearlessness, persistence, and unforgiving nature. They can be a danger to themselves, but they are far more dangerous to the person they have in their sights.

12. Calculating

This is a fascinating character trait because it offers more depth in the character's intelligence. If a character is calculating, audiences will be enthralled to see and know that the gears are always moving in that character's head. They always seem to be two or more steps ahead of the rest.

13. Desperate

Is Minecraft safer than Roblox?
Is Minecraft safer than Roblox?

Violence can be an issue in both games, but while Roblox's user-uploaded games tend to be more of the shooter/explosion/disaster variety,...

Read More »
Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs?
Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs?

Hard-boiled eggs can be kept for 1 week in your refrigerator. If the egg develops an unmistakable odor or slimy or chalky texture, discard it, as...

Read More »

When a character is in a dire situation that they are desperate to get out of, they are willing to do anything. And writers can play with that fact when dealing with a desperate protagonist. You can take an otherwise well-mannered and well-meaning character, kidnap his daughter, and demand that he assassinate a politician or watch his daughter die.

14. Persuasive

If you create a character that is unstoppably persuasive, it can be an intriguing character trait to explore — whether it's a hero or villain. What kind of conflict, drama, or hilarity can you conjure when that persuasive character doesn't get what they want? Or what happens when they always seem to get what they want?

15. Twisted

Words like crazy and insane are generally attributed to psychological disorders or are used as laymen's terms or slang for mental disorders. So they aren't really defined as a character trait. However, twisted is defined as unpleasantly or unhealthily abnormal — warped. When a character is twisted, it adds certain chaos to the story. If you're struggling with your characters and finding it difficult to breathe some life into them, injecting one of these fifteen character traits can make a substantial difference for the better. A character that is loyal, self-controlled, persistent, spiritual, impatient, greedy, cruel, unforgiving, ambitious, fearless, vengeful, calculating, desperate, persuasive, or twisted is far better than one that just goes through the motions of the plot within your screenplay or novel. He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies For all the latest ScreenCraft news and updates, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Are Alec and Kara from Survivor still dating?
Are Alec and Kara from Survivor still dating?

You know, I could breeze over the obvious one and act like it's not the elephant in the room, but everyone wants to know, "Are Kara and Alec still...

Read More »
Can teachers have tattoos that show?
Can teachers have tattoos that show?

If you have visible tattoos that are not necessarily vulgar or negative, these will often be accepted in any school system. However, most school...

Read More »
What hospice doesn t tell you?
What hospice doesn t tell you?

What Does Hospice Care Not Include? Hospice care does not include curative treatment. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and support...

Read More »
What happens when you are alone too much?
What happens when you are alone too much?

Loneliness raises levels of stress hormones and blood pressure. It undermines regulation of the circulatory system so that the heart muscle works...

Read More »