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Character Traits Thesaurus Entry: Worry Wart

Published: October 8, 2011 by BECCA PUGLISI

Definition:  Characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear

Characters in Literature: Piglet, Mrs. Weasley, Bard of Dale (The Hobbit)

Common Portrayals: overprotective maternal figures, hypochondriacs, conspiracy theorists, chaperones and nurses (historical fiction)

Clichés to Avoid: the doting, stifling nanny or mother; sniffling, hand-wringing worriers

Twists on the Traditional Worry Wart: 

  • Worriers are so often weak and timid. The worrying warrior or leader could make for an interesting character.
  • Because worrying is a negative character trait, it’s usually assigned to background or support characters. A worry-wart hero would be one with a lot to overcome.
  • Turn worry into a positive by creating a character who worries excessively about others, but is utterly unconcerned with him or herself. 

GOOD NEWS!

This sample, along with the rest of the character trait entries, has been expanded into book form! Together, THE NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO CHARACTER FLAWS and THE POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES contain over 200 traits for you to choose from when creating unique, memorable characters. Each entry contains possible causes for the trait, as well as positive and negative aspects, traits in supporting characters that may cause conflict, and associated behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, and emotions. For more information on this bestselling book and where it can be found, please visit our bookstore.

Love working online and having your favorite description resources in one place? We’ve got you covered. The entries from the Negative Trait Thesaurus book have been integrated into our online library at One Stop For Writers. Now you can search and cross-reference between all our thesaurus collections quickly and easily. Interested in viewing a free sample? Register at One Stop and see all that this intuitive library for writers has to offer.

 Thesaurus Pair

BECCA PUGLISI
BECCA PUGLISI

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Filed Under: Writing Help

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becca Puglisi says

    October 9, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    I was never a worrier until I had kids. Now I find my brain going all kinds of unfriendly places. I fight it constantly, so I have a sneaking sympathy for the worry warts out there.

  2. Leslie Rose says

    October 9, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Love your example of Mrs. Weasley. She’s a strong/dynamic worrier.

  3. Stacy Green says

    October 9, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Did you jump into my brain? I’m a known worry wort, although I’ve gotten better in the last couple of years. It’s been tough having my own child, because I don’t want her to be like me.

    Great post!

  4. Traci Kenworth says

    October 9, 2011 at 7:24 am

    These are some of my children’s
    favorite worry warts. Great post
    and picture!!

  5. Abby says

    October 8, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    I love this. We joke about people in my family having the “worry wart disease.” LOL. I do love your thoughts on using this for a character. Especially not the cliche stuff but the fun twists to it. 🙂

  6. The Golden Eagle says

    October 8, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    I’ve never thought about creating a worry wart character, but I do like the idea–I myself can be a bit of one. 😛

  7. Bish Denham says

    October 8, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Great post! Worriers can make themselves sick too, both mentally and physically. Reality is enough stress for me without adding worry to it about things I can do nothing about.

  8. Theresa Milstein says

    October 8, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    I like the other characteristic options you give for the worrier. Though it would be hard to make an easygoing worrier!

    Hermione is a bit of a mix. She worries constantly – especially about school. But it springs her into action. She’s ambitious and brave. And curious.

    Funny to see Mrs. Weasley and Piglet in the same category.

  9. Charlie Pulsipher says

    October 8, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I always loved Piglet and Eeyore. Their worrying and melancholy got me through childhood.

  10. Rachna Chhabria says

    October 8, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Hi Angela and Becca..I am a huge worry wart(mom’s genes). My sister calls me a die-hard pessimist cause I always expect the worst.

    Thankfully, none of my characters have that trait. Most of them are brave and believe in themselves. Thanks for this post. I would love to create a worry wart in one of my stories and see what happens to that character.

  11. Rachna Chhabria says

    October 8, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  12. Ava Jae says

    October 8, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    I like that you point out not all worry warts have to be weak characters. It’s certainly something they’ll have to overcome (and something can be crippling if it gets out of control), but a strong character can still be a worrier.

  13. Martha Ramirez says

    October 8, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    LOVE this! 🙂 I can be a worry wart lol

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