Lesson Seven: Character Traits and Tags

What are character traits? Characters stand out from ordinary people because of the outstanding or interesting traits, or character features, that they have. Memorable characters have unforgettable traits. Who would the Wizard of Oz be without his trickery? Who would Hermione Granger be if she didn’t always have the answers in school? Would Gandalf be Gandalf without his wisdom? Character traits define and make the character.

How do you choose character traits? You will need to pick traits that are interesting and are consistent with your plot. Sometimes the traits that you give your character will aid him or her in their quest to succeed. Sometimes (and more interestingly) the traits will prove to be an obstacle or source of conflict that stands between the character and his or her own goals. Example: What challenges would a doctor face if she couldn’t stand the sight of blood? How about a lawyer who is afraid of public speaking? Every character should have at least one great attribute that is their greatest strength and one strategic weakness that complicates their quest.

What are character tags? If a trait is the feature that makes a character interesting, the tag is the behavior that shows the reader this trait. For example, if a character is afraid of dogs, tags can include various reactions of fear when dogs are present, shuddering when they are mentioned, nervously asking everyone he knows if they have a dog before he enters their house, and so on. If a character is arrogant, we would tag him by showing his attitude toward others, primping in front of a mirror, speaking of himself in grandiose terms, etc.

How often should I use tags? Tags should be used often to be effective. It can take at least five to ten tags before the reader even begins to associate the trait with the character, and a few dozen before the trait and character are permanently related to one another. Think of the character Hermione Granger. How many times per book is she shown raising her hand in class, spouting out entire book passages, performing at the top of her class in spellwork and generally being a know-it-all? When assigning a trait to a character, it is much easier to use too few tags than too many.

The Bottom Line: Before you can tell the story of your characters, you must know their traits and be able to show them to the reader through character tags. Before you begin telling your story, try listing your main characters, defining their traits and choosing unique tags to express them. Example:

Name – Cassandra Costin
Attribute – alluring. Tags – charming dialogue, enticing body language, flirtatious behavior.
Weakness – selfish. Tags – manipulation of her friends, always preserving herself, avoids giving true affection or love to anyone.