Character Trait: Difficult

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "difficult" can manifest in various ways, but generally refers to a person who is challenging to deal with, work with, or understand. This could be due to stubbornness, moodiness, aggressiveness, or other traits that make it hard for others to connect with or communicate effectively with them. A difficult character may be uncooperative, confrontational, or resistant to change, making it challenging for those around them to build strong relationships or achieve common goals.

Possible causes of being difficult

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

• Learned behavior from family members or other influential people in their lives
• Past traumas or negative experiences that have shaped their worldview
• Lack of emotional intelligence or self-awareness
• Life circumstances or stressors that have made them defensive or guarded
• Genetics and temperament, as some people are naturally more prone to certain personality traits
• Difficulty with communication or expressing oneself effectively
• Personality disorders or mental health issues
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Cultural or societal influences that have reinforced certain behavior patterns

Behaviors associated with being difficult

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

• Ignoring or dismissing feedback or criticism
• Being uncooperative or unresponsive
• Refusing to compromise or consider other perspectives
• Blaming others for problems or mistakes
• Being stubborn or inflexible
• Arguing or disagreeing with others frequently
• Criticizing or complaining often

Attitudes associated with being difficult

You may be able to show difficult through their attitudes.

• Confrontational behavior
• Intense emotions and reactions
• Defensiveness
• Disregard for others' feelings or opinions
• Stubbornness
• Unwillingness to compromise
• Resistance to change
• Tendency to argue or challenge authority

Thoughts and struggles associated with being difficult

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

• They may feel like they don't fit in or belong, leading to feelings of isolation or loneliness.
• They may struggle with feelings of anger or resentment towards others, particularly those they perceive as having wronged them.
• A difficult character may struggle with trust issues and have a hard time opening up to others.
• They may have difficulty expressing their emotions or understanding the emotions of others, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
• They may be overly critical and perfectionistic, leading to self-doubt and insecurity.
• They may have a tendency to be confrontational and argumentative, often feeling like they need to prove themselves or defend their beliefs.

Emotions associated with being difficult

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

• Discontent
• Resistance
• Resentment
• Irritation
• Impatience
• Frustration
• Stubbornness
• Defensiveness
• Anger

Facial expressions associated with being difficult

Here are some facial expressions your difficult character may exhibit.

• Raising the eyebrows in a condescending manner
• Squinting or looking away in disinterest
• Tensing the jaw or clenching the teeth
• Rolling the eyes or giving a dismissive glance
• Frowning or scowling
• Narrowing the eyes or giving a piercing look
• Puckering the lips or curling them in a sneer

Body language associated with being difficult

Here is some body language your difficult character may exhibit.

• Using negative or critical language
• Leaning away from others
• Frowning or scowling
• Avoiding eye contact
• Rolling eyes or sighing heavily
• Crossing arms or legs
• Speaking in a sharp or dismissive tone
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Tapping fingers or feet impatiently

Behaviors associated with being difficult

Here are some behaviors your difficult character may exhibit.

• Ignoring or dismissing feedback or criticism
• Criticizing or complaining often
• Blaming others for problems or mistakes
• Refusing to compromise or consider other perspectives
• Being stubborn or inflexible
• Arguing or disagreeing with others frequently
• Being uncooperative or unresponsive

Growth and evolution of difficult characters

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

• Acknowledge their flaws and work to improve them
• Become more open-minded and adaptable
• Develop empathy and understanding towards others
• Learn to compromise and see other perspectives
• Learn to forgive and let go of grudges
• Learn to trust others and build meaningful relationships
• Develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Gain a sense of responsibility and accountability
• Overcome their fears and take risks

Stereotypes of difficult characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical difficult character like these examples.

• The "angry" or "bitter" character who is angry at the world for no apparent reason.
• The "self-destructive" character who constantly engages in harmful behaviors without any explanation or motivation.
• The "rebellious" character who always disobeys authority figures without any real motivation.
• The "victim" character who is always blaming others for their problems, without taking responsibility for their own actions.
• The "arrogant" character who believes they are superior to everyone else without any evidence to support it.
• The "cold" or "unfeeling" character who lacks any emotional depth or empathy.
• The "manipulative" character who is always scheming and playing mind games with others.
• The "overly emotional" character who is constantly overwhelmed by their emotions, without any control or sense of balance.
• The "cynical" character who is always negative and pessimistic, without any redeeming qualities or moments of optimism.

Negatives of being difficult

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

• Limited opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Difficulty in adapting to change or compromise
• Difficulty in collaborating with others
• Being perceived as confrontational or argumentative
• Strained relationships with others
• Being seen as uncooperative or unapproachable
• Resistance to feedback or criticism
• Difficulty in resolving conflicts or finding common ground
• A tendency to hold grudges or harbor resentment

Positives of being difficult

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

• They often have strong convictions and are not easily swayed by others' opinions.
• Difficult individuals are often very passionate and driven, which can lead to great achievements and success.
• Difficult people tend to be very independent and self-sufficient, which can be admirable.
• Difficult people tend to be assertive and confident in their opinions and actions.
• They are not afraid to speak their minds and can be very honest and direct, which can be refreshing and helpful in certain situations.

Verbal expressions of difficult characters

Here are some potential expressions used by difficult characters.

• Dismissing others' ideas or opinions
• Being argumentative or confrontational
• Refusing to take responsibility
• Criticizing or nitpicking
• Being sarcastic or belittling
• Refusing to compromise
• Making unreasonable demands or requests
• Being defensive or stubborn
• Blaming others for mistakes

Relationships of difficult characters

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

• Inability to listen or empathize with others
• Refusal to take responsibility for their actions
• Aggressive and confrontational behavior
• Controlling and manipulative tendencies
• Tendency to blame others for their problems
• Narcissistic and self-centered behavior
• Dismissive and apathetic attitude
• Overly critical and judgmental nature
• Passive-aggressive communication style

Examples from books of characters who are difficult

• Raskolnikov from "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing difficult characters

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

• Write a scene in which your character displays the Difficult trait. Be sure to show how this trait affects their interactions with other characters and the situation at hand.
• Try writing a scene from the perspective of another character who is affected by your Difficult character's behavior. This can help you see how your character is perceived by others and how their actions impact those around them.
• Start by identifying the Difficult trait you want to showcase in your character. Is it stubbornness, aggressiveness, or something else entirely?
• Consider the consequences of the Difficult trait. Does it create conflict or tension within the story? Does it lead to negative outcomes for your character? How do other characters react to it?
• Once you have identified the trait, brainstorm situations in which it would be likely to come to the forefront. For example, a stubborn character might refuse to back down in an argument, while an aggressive character might lash out physically when provoked.