.:Traits Missing From Today's Characters:.

~Something’s Missing~

• NOTE: This is a generally speaking list, again, directed at the major characters of stories/books/movies/television of the modern times. I know there exist characters with these traits; I just think they are rare and should be brought more to attention if you're looking to expand your character diversity and add realism.
• Humility: This is the big one that I think a lot of characters are missing. Lots of the mains I see today don't even have a shred of this or if they do it’s forced into them. How about writing a person who’s naturally humble? These people are amazing. They don’t seek to exalt themselves. They give credit to others.
• Pushover: Unfortunately most main characters I see will push back if the world tries to push them down. But this is SO unimaginably unrealistic. I feel like a lot of people wouldn’t, or they’d try and fail. Some people, if pushed around or pushed down to the ground, will stay down. You can take that metaphorically or however you want to but you can't deny its true. Some people really just can't deal with their life struggles and they may never learn.
• Weak: Too many characters are overbearing and in your face. They’re strong and put up a fight. But not a lot of real people are like that. Being physically or mentally weak is totally normal and it shouldn’t be a shame at all to have your character be that way. In fact I think it should be encouraged. It adds humanity. Not everyone has the will to become super strong either. If they change and become this, then it doesn't count. I’d love to see more main characters who have weaknesses they can't completely overcome but still find ways around.
• Unintelligent: Most main characters I see are clever in some way. But what about having an average or even unintelligent main character? What are you afraid of? That's normal. People want their main character to be smart and strong but I can't tell you how much I’m sick of seeing that. It’s redundant. I wanna see stories focused on people who can't always figure the situation out in time, who aren’t fast enough, but they keep going anyways. They may never get smarter but it doesn't matter. I want to see someone a bit more human!
• Untalented: Not everyone is “good” at something that YOU PERSONALLY hold to be of value. Maybe your character’s only talent is origami. How is that going to help them when the zombies attack? It’s not. But it’s realistic. Not everyone has some kind of great talent which is valuable to the plot. Some people have hobbies but are just mediocre or even bad at them. We’re taught to expect characters to be talented but lots of people don’t even know what they're doing or have a strong talent, especially considering the age you might pick for your character.
• Shallow/Judgmental: Some people are legitimately shallow and lots of stories play this like it’s such a horrible thing when it could make a good major character struggle. Those who judge what's on the outside fast can help them to make quicker general processing decisions on how to act and react better for the majority of the time. Judgment in the most basic usage of the word isn’t always a bad thing. For instance if you judge that I'm a happy girly girl because I have a lot of pink, you're spot on, and just got to know me a little better.
• Under Powered: Gag me, there’s so many over powered characters out there! But how about someone who only has one small ability in a world where other people have more? They might learn to use it but they’ll never be great or be strong. It’s what's on the inside and what they do for others that counts. They’ll likely fail at first but they’ll keep on going!
• Distinct Culture: There is the one token ethnic character on a team (there should be more than just one token ethnic character by the way; have all your characters have a distinct ethnicity), and everyone just assumes he’s the stereotype of what he looks like. Let’s pick Asian. Maybe he isn’t Chinese or Japanese. Maybe he’s half Thai half Malaysian, or even a more complicated mix. That's realistic.
• Mercy/Grace: A character who is truly merciful and not just at an important point in the story is also rare these days. But I guess some people will really not know the value of real mercy until they see it themselves so they find it hard to write.
• Hesitant: A lot of characters go for what they want whether they get it or not. But realistically for some people to get out there and do stuff, you have to drag them into it. Even if their life depended on it they might still hesitate.
• Patience: For the sake of keeping the story going, characters, again, tend to just go for what they want. But some people are more pensive and actually think before they act. Impulsive has become an overused flaw. Even in tense situations, it’s in some real people’s character to remain patient and consider all the options before they act.
• Non Aggressive: Its rare but when you tick some people off, they will turn the other cheek instead of getting into a fight. A lot of characters these days I feel are vicious and ready to tear up whoever ticks them off even if they are considered “a nice person” but not every real person is like that. Some people just won't fight.
• No Temper: Hard to believe but not everyone has a temper either. Characters these days I think are overly vicious, ready to snap at any little thing and go from happy to scary if you so much as tap their shoulder the wrong way. It’s stupid.
• Reclusive: Not all people are in your face, overbearing, and obvious. Some are a little harder to figure out and you may not always be able to even get an idea of what they are thinking and how they are perceiving. You may NEVER know. They don't want to be found or figured out and they won't let you into their life. They’re not someone you can explore. They’d rather stick to the background.
• Pregnant: Tell me how often a character is actually pregnant at the time of the story? No, not the “mom”, or the main character of a teen pregnancy show. No, the main girl of the show where the focus is on something else, and she happens to be visibly pregnant for something related to the plot.
• Failure: I feel like a lot of writers are afraid to show true failure. They want to write a winner but some people lose. It’s real. They think they’ve got it all figured out and are confident in their decision and when it really counts, they have made some error somewhere. They know true defeat and loss, whether on a small scale or larger.
• Coward: I think this would be a good lifelong trait some character can't really outgrow. All characters should have some kind of struggle but this one isn’t always something to be overcome easily or even at all. Not everyone confronts their problems. They might do so with the help of others but not on their own.
• Gentleness: Again, thinking back to all the overbearing aggressive characters. Not everyone is that way. Even characters surrounded by violence will not necessarily give into that thought pattern. Even characters who are beat up. They might realize the true importance of being gentle and taking their time in things.
• Tradition: I’m SO sick of the rebel sob story! Like really! How about a character who deeply respects and upholds tradition? Maybe he’s a bit old fashioned. And no I’m not talking about the stereotypical traditions most people know about. Pick something from a lesser known country or even make up something of your own. Have him uphold this tradition and not break the things by which he stands.
• Fat: I can't recall seeing many main characters who were overweight. But it’s something very real. Maybe fitness is their main character struggle. It’s a very real and normal struggle. Don't have it be something they get over. They can be heroes or whatever they need to be just as well. Being a hero isn’t about strength, smarts, and muscle. Maybe a thin main character gains weight throughout the story and it doesn't come off.
• Serving: I want to see characters meek enough to naturally come by putting others first, even by giving up what they have. Even if it means never getting recognition or what they owe in return. No, not parents. The main character themselves. I want to see a main character who serves the others in a genuine humble way.
• Girly Main: Most main girls I see these days are annoyingly tough and snarky or strong or whatever, even stronger than the guy. Some people may include a token girly girl but she doesn't always get the guy or get to be happy. The main girl is usually someone viewed as strong. Sometimes they have a “hot body”, but they're not really girls. I wanna see girls who aren’t fighters, who love pink, who might be kind of kiddish, who love going to the mall to shop, who care about their appearance, etc. I’m sick of the ones who don't.
• Good Attitude: If it’s part of who they are, they may get upset or whatever but life can't wear down a pure good attitude. Some people will remain optimistic the whole way and nothing can get them down.
• Motivated Villain: Realistically, “evil” people don't believe they are evil. They see themselves as doing what they believe is right. I plan to do another guide later elaborating more on how to write a villain readers can be sympathetic to. Give your villain a real motivation. Most villains I see are flat and unrealistic.
• Genuine: I get the feel that a lot of characters these days are forced or fake, instead of growing into the position you want them to be in. Where is the person behind that mask you’ve slapped onto them?
• Silent Moments: Nowadays movies are just so fast paced with all these colors and emotions and thoughts flying everywhere. But I look back to the 80s movies I just recently watched, and, there are a lot of silent moments where you can tell the character is thinking, learning more about other characters or coming up with an idea related to the plot. Don't think that you as a writer have to have some new information to introduce every five seconds. Turn down the big flashing lights, have everyone get quiet, and show that your character is thinking, perceiving, and alive.