Character Trait: Excitable

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Excitable" refers to a person who is easily aroused or stimulated by external factors and tends to react with enthusiasm, energy, or impulsive behavior. Excitable people may become overly excited or agitated in response to positive or negative stimuli and may find it difficult to control their emotions or impulses. This trait can manifest in various ways, such as being easily distracted, having a short attention span, or being prone to outbursts of enthusiasm or anger.

Possible causes of being excitable

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

• Stress or anxiety disorders
• Genetic predisposition or temperament
• Hormonal imbalances or neurological conditions
• Substance use or abuse
• Personality disorders such as bipolar disorder or ADHD
• Environmental factors such as upbringing or childhood experiences

Behaviors associated with being excitable

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

• Having an expressive face and body language
• Speaking quickly and excitedly
• Reacting strongly to good or bad news
• Being easily distracted or unable to sit still
• Jumping up and down or moving around a lot
• Having a tendency to interrupt others in conversation
• Being prone to exaggeration or hyperbole
• Laughing loudly and often

Attitudes associated with being excitable

You may be able to show excitable through their attitudes.

• Impatient
• Spontaneous
• Intense
• Eager
• Emotional
• Adventurous
• Enthusiastic
• Passionate
• Playful
• Curious
• Impulsive
• Quick to act or speak
• Easily distracted
• Highly reactive
• Restless
• High-strung

Keep in mind that not all excitable people will exhibit all of these attitudes, and some may display other characteristics not on this list. It's important to approach character development with nuance and complexity, and to consider how these attitudes might interact with other traits and experiences to create a fully-realized character.

Thoughts and struggles associated with being excitable

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

• Struggling to handle criticism or rejection, as it can feel like a personal attack on their enthusiasm and energy.
• Struggling to control their emotions, often becoming overly enthusiastic or impulsive in their actions.
• Struggling to find balance and moderation in their actions and behaviors, often going to extremes in pursuit of their passions.
• Feeling like they have to constantly prove themselves and their worth, leading to a fear of missing out or being left behind.
• Easily distracted by new ideas or possibilities, making it hard to focus on one task or goal.
• Feeling let down or disappointed when things don't go as planned, especially if they had high expectations or were looking forward to something.
• Feeling misunderstood or judged by others who don't share their level of excitement or intensity.
• Constantly feeling restless and eager for the next adventure or opportunity.

Emotions associated with being excitable

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

• Nervous
• Eager
• Overwhelmed
• Impulsive
• Anxious
• Impatient
• Restless
• Enthusiastic
• Hyperactive

Facial expressions associated with being excitable

Here are some facial expressions your excitable character may exhibit.

• Rapid breathing
• Wide eyes
• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Talking quickly or loudly
• Flushed cheeks
• Clenched jaw or teeth grinding
• Laughing or giggling frequently
• Animated gestures or movements
• Raised eyebrows

Body language associated with being excitable

Here is some body language your excitable character may exhibit.

• Facial expressions that are exaggerated or animated
• Rapid breathing or hyperventilation
• Rapid speech or talking over others
• Clenched fists or tense muscles
• Jumping up and down or bouncing on toes
• Reacting strongly to stimuli or sudden changes in the environment
• Increased heart rate or sweating
• Pacing or fidgeting
• Difficulty sitting still or staying focused

Behaviors associated with being excitable

Here are some behaviors your excitable character may exhibit.

• Being prone to exaggeration or hyperbole
• Reacting strongly to good or bad news
• Laughing loudly and often
• Speaking quickly and excitedly
• Having an expressive face and body language
• Being easily distracted or unable to sit still
• Jumping up and down or moving around a lot
• Having a tendency to interrupt others in conversation

Growth and evolution of excitable characters

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

• Learn to take calculated risks: Excitability can sometimes lead to impulsive decision-making. As the character grows, they might learn to take a step back and evaluate the situation before acting, making more calculated and thought-out choices.
• Become more self-aware: Excitable characters might not always be aware of how their emotions are impacting their behavior and relationships. As they evolve, they might become more introspective and learn to recognize when they're getting carried away.
• Develop empathy: Excitable characters can sometimes be so caught up in their own emotions that they forget to consider others' feelings. As they grow, they might learn to be more empathetic towards others and understand how their actions affect those around them.
• Learn to control their emotions: An excitable character might start off as someone who overreacts to everything and has a hard time controlling their emotions. Throughout the story, they might learn to manage their excitement and channel it in a more productive way.

Stereotypes of excitable characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical excitable character like these examples.

• Avoid making the Excitable character too impulsive or reckless.
• Avoid making the Excitable character overly dramatic or hysterical.
• Avoid giving the Excitable character unrealistic levels of energy or enthusiasm.
• Avoid giving the Excitable character a short attention span or inability to focus.
• Avoid making the Excitable character overly talkative or interrupting others.
• Avoid making the Excitable character constantly loud or obnoxious.
• Avoid portraying the Excitable character as scatterbrained or flighty.

Negatives of being excitable

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

• Difficulty in focusing and staying on task due to a constantly shifting attention span.
• Tendency to overreact and exaggerate, leading to misunderstandings and drama.
• Prone to impulsive behavior and decision-making, which can lead to regret and consequences.
• Can become easily overwhelmed or stressed, leading to emotional outbursts or physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.

Positives of being excitable

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

• Excitability can lead to a sense of adventure and curiosity, pushing individuals to try new experiences and explore the world around them.
• Excitable people often have a strong sense of empathy and emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect deeply with others and understand their perspectives.
• Excitable people tend to be passionate and enthusiastic, which can be contagious and inspire others around them.
• Excitability can fuel creativity and imagination, leading to unique and original ideas.

Verbal expressions of excitable characters

Here are some potential expressions used by excitable characters.

• "I'm so excited!"
• "Wow!"
• "Oh my gosh!"
• "That's so cool!"
• "Unbelievable!"
• "I can't believe it!"
• "This is the best thing ever!"
• "Incredible!"
• "This is amazing!"

Relationships of excitable characters

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

• Excitability can also lead to impulsiveness, which can sometimes cause conflict or tension in relationships.
• People who are close to excitable individuals may need to be patient and understanding when their friend or loved one becomes overly excited or emotional.
• They may have a tendency to dominate conversations or interrupt others, which can be frustrating to some.
• Excitable people tend to be very expressive and enthusiastic, which can make them great friends and fun to be around.
• Because excitable people often have strong emotions, they may be very loyal and passionate in their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are excitable

• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Daisy Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Bridget Jones from "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Harry Potter from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
• Anne Shirley from "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle

Writing exercises for writing excitable characters

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

• Begin by brainstorming a list of situations that could cause excitement in your character.
• Write a scene where your character's excitement leads to them making impulsive decisions. What are the consequences of their actions?
• Write a scene in which your character receives exciting news. How do they react? Do they jump up and down or scream? Or do they internalize their excitement?
• Write a scene where your character is trying to contain their excitement. Perhaps they are in a professional setting or need to remain composed for a specific reason. Show how they struggle to keep their excitement in check.
• Create a character who is always excited, even in mundane situations. Write a scene where they are doing something as simple as grocery shopping, but they find a way to make it exciting.
• Write a scene in which your character is waiting for something exciting to happen. Show how they react to the anticipation.