WEATHER is an important element in any setting, providing sensory texture and contributing to the mood the writer wishes to create in a scene. With a deft touch, weather can enhance the character's emotional response to a specific location, it can add conflict, and it can also (lightly) foreshadow … [Read more...] about Weather Thesaurus Entry: Summer
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Character Trait Entry: Witty
Definition: a strong intellectual capacity marked by clever humor. Characters in Literature: Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter); Dr. Watson & Sherlock Holmes (same); Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) Common Portrayals: Comedians, sitcom actors, talk show hosts, political satirists, … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Witty
Character Trait Entry: Funny
Definition: comical, causing amusement or laughter Characters in Literature: Fred & George Weasley (Harry Potter); Mia (Princess Diaries); Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) Common Portrayals: Comedians, class clowns, nighttime talk show hosts, sitcom actors Clichés to … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Funny
Character Trait Entry: Loyal
Definition: unswerving in allegiance Characters in Literature: Sam Gamgee (Lord of the Rings), Lloyd Henreid (The Stand), Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Common Portrayals: soldiers, yes-men in the business world, cult members, best friends, the mafia Clichés to Avoid: comparing someone's loyalty to that … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Loyal
Character Trait Entry: Stubborn
Definition: Unyielding; resolute Characters in Literature:Nynaeve, (The Wheel of Time); Verruca Salt (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory); Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) Common Portrayals: The resolute boss; a stubborn toddler; military leadership; lawyers Clichés to Avoid: The … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Stubborn
Frustration: Your Novel’s Best Friend
You're thinking that title must be a typo, aren't you? It isn't, I promise. :) Frustration is awesome. Sure, as writers, we want NOTHING to do with this emotion. Between manuscripts returning from critique partners with their guts ripped out to agent form rejections to a book review that compares … [Read more...] about Frustration: Your Novel’s Best Friend
Character Trait Entry: Manipulative
Definition: An attempt to influence another's behavior for one's own benefit; to control Characters in Literature: The pig Napoleon (Animal Farm); Melisande (Kushiel's Dart); President Snow (Hunger Games trilogy) and, not a book, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Dr. Gregory House! Common … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Manipulative
Character Trait Entry: Intelligent
Definition: brainy, clever, intellectual. Disclaimer #1: There are other closely-related words (such as clever or knowledgeable), but for simplicity's sake, this entry will focus on the character who is innately intelligent. Characters in Literature: Hermione Granger, Sherlock Holmes, Ender … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Intelligent
Character Traits Entry: Dishonest
Definition: untrustworthy; lacking honesty, untruthful Characters in Literature: The Great Gatsby; Rita Skeeter (Harry Potter) Pinocchio, Pirate Characters (ie Jack Sparrow; Captain Hook) Common Portrayals: Pirates, Gamblers, Swindlers, Politicians, 'the bad kid', the co-worker who lies and … [Read more...] about Character Traits Entry: Dishonest
Character Trait Entry: Friendly
Definition: Agreeable; open and approachable; a pleasant disposition Characters in Literature: Glinda the Good (The Wizard of Oz); Arthur Weasley (Harry Potter) Common Portrayals: The always-smiling waitress, the well-regarded neighbors who organize events and socials in the community, the … [Read more...] about Character Trait Entry: Friendly
Character Traits Entry: Thoughtful
Definition: given to the heedful anticipation of the needs and wants of others Characters in Literature: Beth (Little Women), Sam (Lord of the Rings), Melanie (Gone with the Wind) Common Characteristics: kind, helping others, offering to help when others won't, seeing a need when others don't … [Read more...] about Character Traits Entry: Thoughtful
Character Traits Entry: Conceited
Definition: An overly favorable view of oneself and one's abilities, vanity, egotism Characters in Literature: Malfoy in Harry Potter, Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice Common Portrayals: The loud braggart, the jock who talks continually of his own contribution to the team; the coworker who … [Read more...] about Character Traits Entry: Conceited