Distinguishing Traits of a Character

I've recently been doing some writing (editing, more like), and have come to realize characters in my books needed some major character development as well as traits specific to them. Distinguishing traits of a character define who they are without taking away from what they are. 

Who they are and what they are can be very different, even if it seems confusing or unlikely. Think about it this way: a Head Detective of a police department on a high profile case would be decisive, show leadership, and be under stress of the case. 

But are those the only traits of this character? Is that what really defines them? No. Those traits are what they are in that job. Distinguishing traits, something they would do where you would immediately say, "That's so them!" or something along those lines, is who they are.

So lets say this Head Detective - who usually shows great decision-making, leadership, and control - is actually a hothead and impulsive? They're quick to trust their gut and they know in their heart who this killer is they are chasing, but have no way of proving it. This is who they are. They can have amazing character development along the way, but what is always going to be there at the core of their character, even if it's smaller or hidden? Those distinguishing traits.

A lot of detectives show control or leadership when it comes to the job - that is what they are called to do. It's part of what they do. But you take one individual, make them unique, have unique personality traits that differ than those normally called for from the job, and you get those traits that sets them apart from the others. That's how you can tell which one I was talking about. If I described a scene with two detectives - one the Head Detective and one a regular detective - would you be able to tell them apart without those traits that make them unique? 

Let's try a little demonstration. I'll create a random scene including these two characters, and for sake of demonstration, they will both be 'male' characters. One will be Harold and the other will be Terry. See if you can tell the difference between the two:

"We need to begin looking for people who could be connected to this case. If we can find someone who is even remotely connected, that would be a start." Harold says, looking at the board in front of them that held information on the case.

"I think our first move should be to keep the public calm. We shouldn't announce we don't have anything or else everyone will panic. Tell all the officers not to talk to press or reveal any information." Terry says, crossing his arms.

So, can you tell? Not really, right? Both of their answers were calm, logical, and decisive. Both detectives showed leadership and the best interest of the public. Now, let's take a look at this scene. See if you can tell the difference:

"Check and see if someone came into town the night before the murder. A witness said the white car parked at a hotel, so the murderer is either leaving town or coming into town." Harold says as he observes the board, trying to figure out a connection.

"No, the witness is lying. I know it. Their eyes kept flicking back and forth, the weasel. We need to focus our attention on him." Terry says, tapping his fingers impatiently against his arm. 

See the difference now? While it is a little obvious to see the difference, the point is made. If you have distinguishing traits within a character that define who they are and not what they are, conversation becomes personal and more diverse. You were easily able to tell which was the Head Detective described above. Terry was impulsive: quick to assume the witness was lying, and he was hotheaded: angry about being lied to and ready to shift gears to focus on the witness. 

While it may not seem like such big traits now, these traits can boost a story - and a character - 1000 times over. If all characters were the same and fit their job to a T, the story wouldn't be as exciting or invigorating. It would move slower and not as much action would take place if everyone acted the same way. Varying character traits help build your entire atmosphere of the story, and it helps other characters react to each other more naturally. 

This is why it is so important for characters to have these distinguishing traits. People need to get to know your character personally: who they are, what they feel, how they act, what makes them tick, and most importantly, how they develop over the course of the story.

That hotheaded, impulsive Head Detective? By the end of the story, he learns to control his anger and his impulses, starts caring more about others, and ultimately becomes a better leader. Does this change the fact that he's angry and impulsive? Not at all! Those traits don't magically leave him. He's still the same, but with better control. No one likes reading a story where the character is angry all the time, so when this detective learns to control his anger and impulses, and becomes a better person through his flawed traits, he then becomes a cherished character. His change is more appreciated because the readers knew what he was like before the change, and it was noticeable.

Giving characters traits to set them apart from others make the character development that much more important and easier to catch. If one person was kind and loving and ended the story being kind and loving, we would still like this person, but the impression may not be the best. But if someone was too impulsive and liked to do things only one way, but at the end they thought before they acted and learned to let others help and use their ways instead of their own, we would appreciate that character a whole lot more because of how they learn to control the traits they have.

Using the distinguishable traits as a positive influence on a character who doesn't seem like they have redeeming qualities at the time (like being hotheaded) not only sets them apart so everyone knows who this character is, but when they change, everyone will see it. Even if it's not a blatant change but a subtle one, you can bet it will be noticed. 

Distinguishable traits are found in most books or movies that do really well. Think about Pride and Prejudice for a moment (I watched the movie recently so it's fresh on my mind). We love Elizabeth Bennet not because of what she is - a poor woman in a large family - but because of who she is: a sassy, stubborn woman who holds pride close to her heart and has wit and a sharp tongue. Now are all these traits desirable? No, probably not. 

Now let's take the other main character, Mr. Darcy, and look at him. We don't love him because of what he is - a rich, disgruntled gentleman - but because of who he is: arrogant but intelligent, holds prejudice against others, awkward but also incredibly sharp in his responses. His traits definitely aren't all desirable. But do we love him? Absolutely!

It's because these distinguished traits show us who these characters truly are, despite what they are or where they come from. And guess what! At the end, Mr. Darcy learns that he was wrong to judge Elizabeth based on her circumstances because he fell in love with WHO she was. And Elizabeth realized she was too prideful and misjudged Mr. Darcy based on her pride and redeems herself when she admits she loves him for WHO he was. 

And boom, there you have it. Simple explanation of how traits can affect and effect your story and characters. The actions, reactions, and engagements with each character comes from the personality bestowed upon them, and how they learn from their traits. 

It's a very simple writing tool, but it is very complex when writing it out over a book or movie script. It is really funny at times to see how something so simple becomes something so profound at the end. 

Hopefully you've learned a little something today, and if you have any comments, thoughts, questions, or rebuttals, let me know! I hope you have a blessed day!