Character Trait Entry: Excitable

Definition: being easily roused into a state of excitement

Characters in Literature: Gilderoy Lockhart (HP and the Chamber of Secrets), Fflewddur Fflam (The Black Cauldron), Tigger

Common Portrayals: children, sidekicks, crackpots

Clichés to Avoid: the yes man who jumps eagerly into any adventure the hero suggests; the excitable character motivated by curiosity and the thirst for knowledge; the lap-dog-type sidekick who fawns after the hero with no discernible thoughts of his own

Twists on the Traditional Excitable Character: 

▪ Because these characters are often portrayed as mindless followers, give your excitable character a brain. Maybe he can see the foolishness or randomness of his actions, but he is compelled by some other reason to always leap without looking

▪ An excitable hero who doesn’t think for himself would make for an interesting journey and a story rife with trouble

▪ An excitable mentor would also create some serious conflict for the hero

Build a worthy protagonist with a mix of unique strengths that will help him overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful goals.

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