Character Trait: Erring

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Erring refers to a tendency to make mistakes or to stray from the right path. It implies that the character is fallible and prone to errors in judgment or action. Erring characters may be well-intentioned but may also be misguided or lacking in self-awareness. They may struggle with making the right choices or may be prone to impulsiveness or recklessness. Despite their flaws, however, Erring characters can be compelling and relatable, as they often face challenges and setbacks that force them to grow and change over the course of a story.

Possible causes of being erring

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

• Social or cultural influences that prioritize individualism over community values
• Lack of positive role models or mentors in their life
• Difficulty regulating emotions, leading to impulsive behavior
• Substance abuse or addiction, which can exacerbate impulsive tendencies
• Childhood experiences of neglect or abandonment
• Trauma or abuse that leads to feelings of inadequacy or shame
• Low self-esteem or self-worth, causing them to seek validation from others
• Genetic predisposition towards impulsivity or risk-taking behavior

Behaviors associated with being erring

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

• Taking risks or engaging in dangerous behavior
• Struggling to learn from past mistakes
• Disregarding rules or authority
• Making mistakes frequently
• Being inconsistent in behavior or decisions
• Being easily influenced by others
• Acting impulsively without thinking things through
• Avoiding responsibility or blame
• Struggling with self-doubt or insecurity

Attitudes associated with being erring

You may be able to show erring through their attitudes.

• Difficulty accepting help or support from others
• Fear of failure or making wrong decisions
• Difficulty with decision-making
• Feeling guilty or ashamed of mistakes
• Feeling like a burden or inconvenience to others
• Struggling with perfectionism
• Being overly cautious or hesitant
• Being apologetic or defensive
• Being self-critical and hard on oneself

Thoughts and struggles associated with being erring

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

• Constantly questioning one's own morality and values
• Difficulty in forgiving oneself for past mistakes
• Struggle with resisting temptations and impulses
• A sense of feeling lost or directionless in life
• Desires to make amends and seek redemption for past actions
• Fear of being judged or rejected by others for past mistakes
• A tendency to self-sabotage or engage in destructive behaviors
• Guilt and remorse over past mistakes or wrongdoings
• Difficulty in trusting oneself or others due to past failures
• Struggle with making decisions and fear of making the wrong choice

Emotions associated with being erring

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

• Shame
• Anguish
• Self-doubt
• Melancholy
• Despair
• Fear
• Self-blame
• Disappointment
• Guilt
• Regret
• Self-criticism
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Remorse

Facial expressions associated with being erring

Here are some facial expressions your erring character may exhibit.

• Rolling the eyes or looking exasperated
• Biting or pursing the lips
• Sighing heavily or shaking the head in disappointment
• Clenching or grinding the jaw
• Narrowing the eyes or staring intently
• Frowning or furrowing the brow
• Tilting the head in confusion or frustration
• Scrunching up the nose or sneering
• Covering the face with the hands or rubbing the forehead

Body language associated with being erring

Here is some body language your erring character may exhibit.

• Avoiding eye contact or looking down often
• Avoiding physical touch or contact
• Sweating or blushing
• Biting nails or lips
• Crossing arms or legs defensively
• Shaking or trembling hands
• Hesitating or stuttering while speaking
• Hunching shoulders or slouching
• Fidgeting, tapping fingers or feet

Behaviors associated with being erring

Here are some behaviors your erring character may exhibit.

• Struggling to learn from past mistakes
• Being inconsistent in behavior or decisions
• Avoiding responsibility or blame
• Being easily influenced by others
• Acting impulsively without thinking things through
• Making mistakes frequently
• Disregarding rules or authority
• Struggling with self-doubt or insecurity
• Taking risks or engaging in dangerous behavior

Growth and evolution of erring characters

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

• Acknowledging their mistakes and taking responsibility for their actions.
• Overcoming their fear or insecurity and taking risks.
• Developing empathy and understanding for others.
• Letting go of their ego and being open to feedback and criticism.
• Changing their perspective and seeing things from a different point of view.
• Developing their strengths and working on their weaknesses.
• Building stronger relationships with others.
• Learning to trust themselves and their instincts.
• Learning from their mistakes and making efforts to correct them.

Stereotypes of erring characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical erring character like these examples.

• Using their Erring behavior as a way to simply create conflict without delving deeper into their motivations
• Portraying them as inherently evil or immoral without any explanation for their behavior
• Making them a caricature or stereotype of a particular group or demographic
• Ignoring the impact their Erring behavior has on others and the world around them.
• Depicting them as purely selfish and lacking empathy or compassion
• Using their Erring behavior as a plot device without exploring the reasons behind it
• Treating their Erring behavior as a joke or something to be laughed at without acknowledging the consequences of their actions
• Making them one-dimensional villains with no redeeming qualities

Instead, strive for complexity and nuance in your Erring characters, exploring the reasons behind their behavior and showing the ways in which they are capable of growth and change.

Negatives of being erring

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

• Erring characters may struggle with consistency and reliability in their actions and commitments
• They may struggle with self-doubt and feel insecure about their abilities
• Erring characters may make impulsive decisions without considering the consequences
• They may be prone to procrastination or avoidance of difficult tasks
• They may be overly sensitive to perceived slights or rejection from others
• Erring characters may have difficulty accepting criticism or admitting when they are wrong

Positives of being erring

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

• It can make a character more memorable and stand out in the reader's mind.

Verbal expressions of erring characters

Here are some potential expressions used by erring characters.

• Taking responsibility for actions
• Showing humility
• Seeking advice and guidance
• Admitting mistakes openly
• Asking for forgiveness
• Expressing regret
• Apologizing frequently
• Acknowledging faults and flaws
• Using self-deprecating humor

Relationships of erring characters

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

• They may be prone to isolating themselves from others to avoid making mistakes or being judged.
• Erring people may be perfectionists, which can lead to high standards for themselves and others that are difficult to meet. This can cause frustration and disappointment in relationships.
• Erring people may struggle with accepting criticism or feedback, which can create tension in relationships.
• They may have a fear of failure that affects their ability to take risks or try new things, which can limit their experiences and relationships.
• They may have a tendency to be critical of themselves and others, leading to strained relationships.
• Erring people may struggle with trust and may have difficulty forming close relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are erring

• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Randle McMurphy from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Frankenstein's Monster from "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Writing exercises for writing erring characters

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

• Create a scenario where your character has to make a difficult decision with no clear right or wrong answer.
• Write a scene where your character receives criticism or negative feedback and must learn to accept and learn from their mistakes.
• Create a situation where your character must confront a past mistake or wrongdoing and try to make amends.
• Write a story where your character's flaws or mistakes ultimately lead to their downfall or demise.
• Have your character deal with the consequences of their actions by facing punishment or having to make reparations.
• Write a scene where your character makes a mistake that has serious consequences for themselves or others.
• Have your character struggle with a moral dilemma, where they must choose between doing the right thing or the easier, but wrong, thing.