Character Trait: Blundering

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Blundering is a character trait that refers to a person who is prone to making careless mistakes or errors in judgment. A blundering character may often act impulsively without considering the consequences of their actions. They may also lack attention to detail and struggle with organization and planning. This trait can add depth and complexity to a character, as their flaws and mistakes can create interesting plot twists and character development opportunities. However, it's important to balance this trait with other positive qualities to prevent the character from becoming one-dimensional or unlikeable.

Possible causes of being blundering

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Poor communication skills
• Disorganization
• Inexperience
• Impulsivity
• Lack of attention to detail
• Lack of empathy
• Overconfidence
• Inability to handle stress or pressure
• Lack of critical thinking skills
• Lack of self-awareness
• Poor decision-making skills

For detailed feedback on blundering characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character development checker.

Behaviors associated with being blundering

You may be able to show your character's trait of blundering by using these.

• Being accident-prone
• Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time
• Getting lost easily
• Being easily distracted
• Tripping over things
• Dropping objects
• Making careless mistakes
• Spilling food or drinks
• Misunderstanding social cues or situations
• Forgetting important details or tasks
• Fumbling with equipment or tools

Attitudes associated with being blundering

You may be able to show blundering through their attitudes.

• Forgetfulness
• Incompetence
• Unpreparedness
• Unintentional mistakes
• Bumbling
• Awkwardness
• Lack of coordination
• Confusion
• Unawareness
• Ineptitude
• Absent-mindedness
• Clumsiness
• Naiveté
• Disorganization

Thoughts and struggles associated with being blundering

Here are some ideas for things your blundering character may think or struggle with.

• Avoiding taking risks or trying new things to avoid failure
• Struggling to make decisions or take action because of fear of failure
• Feeling embarrassed or ashamed of their mistakes
• Feeling like they are always "behind" or playing catch-up
• Constantly doubting their abilities and decisions
• Second-guessing themselves and seeking constant validation from others
• Feeling like they don't belong or fit in with others
• Struggling with self-confidence and self-esteem
• Feeling like they let others down or disappoint them

Emotions associated with being blundering

Here are some ideas for emotions your blundering character may experience.

• Awkwardness
• Incompetence
• Frustration
• Ineptitude
• Self-doubt
• Helplessness
• Confusion
• Embarrassment
• Clumsiness

Facial expressions associated with being blundering

Here are some facial expressions your blundering character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows
• Open mouth
• Awkward smile
• Clenched jaw
• Nervous laughter
• Flushed cheeks
• Furrowed brow
• Wide eyes

Body language associated with being blundering

Here is some body language your blundering character may exhibit.

• Tripping over objects or stumbling frequently
• Apologizing frequently
• Backing away or standing too close to others
• Avoiding eye contact or looking down
• Knocking things over or bumping into others
• Fidgeting with hands or objects
• Nervously laughing or making self-deprecating jokes
• Making frequent mistakes or errors in judgement
• Speaking quickly or stumbling over words
• Appearing flustered or embarrassed

For detailed feedback on blundering characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character development checker.

Behaviors associated with being blundering

Here are some behaviors your blundering character may exhibit.

• Dropping objects
• Spilling food or drinks
• Misunderstanding social cues or situations
• Fumbling with equipment or tools
• Being accident-prone
• Getting lost easily
• Forgetting important details or tasks
• Making careless mistakes
• Tripping over things
• Being easily distracted
• Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time

Growth and evolution of blundering characters

Here are some ways that your blundering character may grow and evolve over time.

• They may gain more self-awareness and recognize their own limitations or weaknesses, leading to personal growth.
• They may gain confidence as they overcome their mistakes and achieve success despite their blunders.
• The blundering character may develop a sense of humor and learn to laugh at themselves, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
• The blundering character may learn to ask for help and rely on the strengths of others, leading to more collaborative relationships.
• The blundering character may learn from their mistakes and become more cautious or deliberate in their actions.
• They may become more empathetic towards others as they experience the consequences of their own actions.
• The blundering character may develop problem-solving skills as they work to overcome the obstacles they create for themselves.
• They may become more resilient and adaptable as they navigate the challenges created by their blunders.

Stereotypes of blundering characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical blundering character like these examples.

• Avoid making the Blundering character the butt of every joke or constantly ridiculed by others.
• Avoid making the Blundering character too predictable and one-dimensional.
• Avoid making the Blundering character completely incompetent.
• Avoid making the Blundering character too oblivious to their surroundings or too naive.
• Avoid making the Blundering character too clumsy or accident-prone without any redeeming qualities.

Negatives of being blundering

Here are some potential negatives of being blundering. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• They often lack attention to detail and may overlook important information or details.
• Blundering individuals may struggle with organization and time management, leading to missed deadlines or unfinished projects.
• They may be prone to accidents or injuries due to their lack of coordination or awareness.
• Blundering individuals may struggle with decision-making and may make impulsive choices without considering the consequences.
• Blundering individuals tend to make careless mistakes that can have negative consequences.
• They may struggle with following instructions or completing tasks efficiently.

Positives of being blundering

Here are some potential positives of being blundering. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Blundering characters can be endearing and relatable to readers, as they often make mistakes that many people can relate to.
• The process of a blundering character learning from their mistakes can be a powerful character arc, as readers witness their growth and development over time.
• A blundering character's mistakes can lead to unexpected plot developments or twists that keep readers engaged and interested in the story.
• The blunders of a character can create comedic relief in otherwise tense or serious situations, adding levity to a story.

Verbal expressions of blundering characters

Here are some potential expressions used by blundering characters.

• Mispronouncing or misusing words
• Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time
• Being indecisive or unsure
• Making factual errors
• Asking obvious or unnecessary questions
• Rambling or going off-topic
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Making insensitive or inappropriate comments
• Forgetting important details or information

Relationships of blundering characters

Here are some ways that being blundering could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be prone to making mistakes or poor decisions that impact their relationships with others.
• They may come across as arrogant or insensitive due to their tendency to speak without thinking.
• They may struggle to understand social cues, leading to misunderstandings or awkward interactions.
• They may rely heavily on others to guide them in social situations or decision-making.
• They may unintentionally offend or upset others with their lack of tact or social awareness.
• They may have difficulty empathizing with others, leading to a lack of emotional connection or support in relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are blundering

• Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• Ignatius J. Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
• Don Quixote from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Bridget Jones from the Bridget Jones's Diary series by Helen Fielding
• Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther series by Blake Edwards
• Homer Simpson from The Simpsons by Matt Groening

Writing exercises for writing blundering characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write blundering characters.

• Create a list of potential blunders your character might make in different situations. For example, they might accidentally send an embarrassing email to their boss or forget an important deadline.
• Write a scene where your character has to navigate a difficult social situation and ends up making things worse. For example, they might unintentionally insult someone or say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
• Consider the character's background and personality. Are they impulsive or easily distracted? Do they have poor judgment or lack experience? Use these traits to create situations where they are likely to blunder.
• Think about a time when you made a mistake that had consequences. How did you feel? How did you react? Use this experience to inform your character's blunders.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who is frustrated with their blunders. How does the character respond? Do they take responsibility or make excuses?
• Write a scene where your character is trying to accomplish a task but keeps making mistakes. For example, they are trying to cook a fancy dinner for their boss but end up burning the food and setting off the smoke alarm.