Character Trait: Brash

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Brash refers to a person who is self-assured, bold, and often impulsive. A brash character tends to act without considering the consequences of their actions, often resulting in unexpected outcomes. They may also come across as arrogant or overconfident due to their tendency to speak their minds without hesitation. While this trait can be seen as a positive attribute in certain situations, it can also lead to conflicts and misunderstandings in social situations.

Possible causes of being brash

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

• Trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity or inferiority
• Difficulty controlling emotions or impulses
• Impulsivity or a tendency to act without thinking things through
• Overconfidence or arrogance stemming from past successes
• Childhood experiences or upbringing that encouraged or rewarded bold behavior
• A desire to stand out or be noticed in a crowd
• Lack of social skills or emotional intelligence
• Fear of being seen as weak or vulnerable

For detailed feedback on brash characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being brash

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

• Being impulsive and reckless
• Being loud and attention-seeking
• Ignoring potential dangers or warning signs
• Speaking or acting without thinking of the consequences
• Disregarding rules or authority
• Being confrontational and argumentative
• Showing overconfidence in one's abilities
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Interrupting others while they speak

Attitudes associated with being brash

You may be able to show brash through their attitudes.

• Disregard for rules or authority
• Overconfidence
• Impulsive behavior
• Boldness
• Lack of concern for consequences
• Arrogance
• Risk-taking
• Irritability or short-temperedness
• Self-centeredness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being brash

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

• They may have a fear of failure or being seen as weak, which can cause them to take unnecessary risks.
• They may have a tendency to be confrontational or argumentative, even in situations where it may not be appropriate.
• They may have a fear of vulnerability and use bravado as a defense mechanism.
• They may struggle with interpersonal relationships due to their lack of tact or consideration for others.
• They may have a tendency to speak their mind without regard for the feelings of others.
• A Brash character tends to act impulsively without considering the consequences.
• They may struggle with authority figures or rules that they perceive as limiting their freedom.

Emotions associated with being brash

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

• Pushiness
• Audacity
• Inconsideration
• Impatience
• Stubbornness
• Outspokenness
• Defiance
• Bravado
• Quick-tempered
• Brazenness
• Assertiveness
• Arrogance
• Overconfidence
• Restlessness
• Boldness
• Recklessness
• Impulsiveness
• Fearlessness
• Self-assuredness

Facial expressions associated with being brash

Here are some facial expressions your brash character may exhibit.

• Rolling eyes
• Sneer or snarl
• Squinting eyes
• Pursed lips
• Wide grin or smirk
• Tightening of the jaw
• Frowning or scowling
• Flaring nostrils
• Raised eyebrows

Body language associated with being brash

Here is some body language your brash character may exhibit.

• Pounding on tables or other objects while speaking
• Taking up more physical space than necessary
• Leaning forward aggressively
• Standing too close to others
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Loud and aggressive voice
• Making direct eye contact or staring down others
• Invading others' personal space
• Crossed arms

For detailed feedback on brash characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being brash

Here are some behaviors your brash character may exhibit.

• Showing overconfidence in one's abilities
• Being impulsive and reckless
• Being confrontational and argumentative
• Speaking or acting without thinking of the consequences
• Being loud and attention-seeking
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Disregarding rules or authority
• Ignoring potential dangers or warning signs

Growth and evolution of brash characters

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

• Learning to channel their passion and confidence in a more productive way
• Developing more self-awareness and understanding their own flaws
• Learning to control their impulses and think before acting
• Becoming more empathetic towards others
• Learning to listen to others and consider their perspectives
• Becoming more strategic and thoughtful in their decision-making
• Realizing the importance of building relationships and trust with others
• Recognizing the consequences of their actions and taking responsibility for them
• Understanding the value of teamwork and collaboration

Stereotypes of brash characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical brash character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character overly aggressive or violent.
• Avoid making the character always loud and boisterous without showing any other emotions or behaviors.
• Avoid making the character rude or disrespectful to others without any reason.
• Avoid making the brash character one-dimensional and lacking in complexity.
• Avoid making the character completely reckless and impulsive with no regard for consequences.

Negatives of being brash

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

• Brash individuals can come across as arrogant or rude
• Brashness can cause conflict or offend others
• They tend to speak and act impulsively without considering the consequences
• Brash individuals may struggle with authority or following rules

Positives of being brash

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

• They are often seen as assertive and proactive.
• Brash people tend to be confident in their abilities and decisions.
• They are often very energetic and passionate about what they do.
• Brash individuals are not afraid to take risks and can make bold moves.
• They can inspire others to take action and make things happen.
• Brash people are not afraid to speak their minds and can be very expressive.

Verbal expressions of brash characters

Here are some potential expressions used by brash characters.

• Using profanity frequently
• Dominating conversations and not allowing others to speak
• Disregarding social norms and rules
• Insulting or belittling others
• Interrupting others mid-sentence
• Boasting or bragging about oneself
• Speaking loudly and aggressively
• Being confrontational or argumentative
• Acting impulsively without thinking things through

Relationships of brash characters

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

• They may have a competitive streak that can make it difficult for them to work collaboratively with others or share credit for accomplishments.
• They may come across as overly confident or arrogant, which can create tension with those who value humility and modesty.
• Brash individuals may struggle to listen to others and take feedback, which can strain relationships with those who feel unheard or undervalued.
• Brash people may have a tendency to dominate conversations and assert their opinions, which can lead to conflicts with those who prefer a more collaborative approach to communication.

Examples from books of characters who are brash

• Lestat de Lioncourt from The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Han Solo from Star Wars by George Lucas
• Tony Stark/Iron Man from Marvel Comics by Stan Lee
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Bartleby Gaines from Accepted by Mark Perez
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Writing exercises for writing brash characters

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

• Write a scene where your character takes charge of a situation, without waiting for permission or consensus from others.
• Develop a conflict where your character's brash behavior creates tension or negative consequences, forcing them to learn a valuable lesson.
• Create a scenario where your character takes a big risk without thinking it through, simply because they believe in themselves and their abilities.
• Create a conversation between your character and someone who is intimidated by their brash personality, and explore how they react to this dynamic.
• Develop a backstory for your character that explains why they are brash, and how this trait has helped or hindered them in the past.
• Describe a situation where your character speaks their mind without any filter, even if it might offend others.
• Imagine a scenario where your character's brash behavior is actually the only way to solve a problem, and write a scene where they successfully navigate the situation.
• Write a scene where your character faces a challenge that requires them to tone down their brashness, and see how they adapt to this new situation.
• Write a scene where your character interrupts someone mid-conversation to make a bold statement or decision.