Character Trait: Fascinating

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait fascinating refers to someone or something that is captivating, intriguing, or engrossing. It is a quality that draws others in and keeps them interested. A fascinating character is one that has unique qualities, experiences, or perspectives that make them stand out and leave a lasting impression on the reader. This trait can manifest in various ways, such as having a magnetic personality, possessing a rare talent, or having a compelling backstory. Ultimately, a fascinating character is one that captures the reader's attention and imagination.

Possible causes of being fascinating

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

• A strong sense of self-awareness and introspection, which allows them to understand and connect with others on a deeper level
• A natural charisma and charm that makes them stand out in a crowd
• A unique perspective on life and the world around them
• An ability to empathize with others and see things from their perspective
• A deep curiosity and passion for learning and exploring new ideas
• A willingness to take risks and challenge themselves, which often results in interesting and unexpected experiences
• A love of creativity and self-expression, whether it be through writing, art, music, or other mediums
• An infectious enthusiasm and energy that draws people towards them
• A sense of humor and playfulness that makes others feel comfortable and at ease around them

Behaviors associated with being fascinating

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

• Being knowledgeable and well-spoken on a variety of topics
• Engaging in thought-provoking conversations
• Displaying a sense of confidence and self-assurance
• Maintaining a level of mystery or intrigue
• Being open-minded and curious about the world
• Having a distinctive style or personality
• Demonstrating a passion for life and interests
• Possessing a sense of humor and wit
• Captivating people's attention with unique stories or experiences

Attitudes associated with being fascinating

You may be able to show fascinating through their attitudes.

• Curiosity
• Passion
• Intelligence
• Humility
• Charisma
• Sense of humor
• Confidence
• Emotional intelligence
• Empathy
• Creativity
• Open-mindedness
• Ambition
• Authenticity
• Resilience

Thoughts and struggles associated with being fascinating

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

• They may have a complex relationship with their past or their family, which can affect their present actions and decisions.
• They may be torn between different desires or goals, each with its own set of consequences.
• They may struggle with self-doubt or imposter syndrome, even if they are successful on the surface.
• They may have a strong sense of purpose or belief system that they are passionate about, but this can also lead to inner turmoil and doubt.
• A fascinating character is often conflicted and has a deep inner struggle that they are trying to overcome.
• They may be dealing with trauma or mental health issues that affect their behavior and relationships with others.
• A fascinating character may have a secret or hidden aspect of their personality that they are trying to keep hidden from others, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.
• They may have a strong sense of justice or morality that conflicts with the actions of others around them.
• A fascinating character may have a unique perspective on the world that sets them apart from others, but also makes them feel isolated or misunderstood.

Emotions associated with being fascinating

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

• Enchanting
• Alluring
• Compelling
• Charming
• Intriguing
• Captivating
• Engaging
• Mesmerizing
• Charismatic

Facial expressions associated with being fascinating

Here are some facial expressions your fascinating character may exhibit.

• Nodding or tilting head in agreement or curiosity
• Leaning forward with interest
• Raising eyebrows in surprise or interest
• Wide-eyed and engaged expression
• Animated hand gestures
• Smiling and/or laughing
• Confident and relaxed posture

Body language associated with being fascinating

Here is some body language your fascinating character may exhibit.

• Having an open and confident posture
• Having an expressive facial expression
• Being attentive to others and actively listening
• Using hand gestures to emphasize points
• Maintaining eye contact with others
• Using humor and wit in conversation
• Leaning forward when speaking to someone
• Using a calm and steady tone of voice

Behaviors associated with being fascinating

Here are some behaviors your fascinating character may exhibit.

• Demonstrating a passion for life and interests
• Being knowledgeable and well-spoken on a variety of topics
• Maintaining a level of mystery or intrigue
• Possessing a sense of humor and wit
• Engaging in thought-provoking conversations
• Captivating people's attention with unique stories or experiences
• Having a distinctive style or personality
• Displaying a sense of confidence and self-assurance
• Being open-minded and curious about the world

Growth and evolution of fascinating characters

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

• Realizing the consequences of their actions and taking responsibility for them
• Overcoming a traumatic event or experience
• Learning to forgive themselves or others
• Making a difficult choice that goes against their usual behavior or beliefs
• Confronting and overcoming their fears
• Becoming more empathetic and understanding towards others
• Overcoming a personal flaw or weakness
• Discovering their true purpose or passion in life
• Learning to trust others and form meaningful relationships
• Developing a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence

Stereotypes of fascinating characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical fascinating character like these examples.

• The "dumb jock" who is only interested in sports and lacks depth
• The "perfect" character who has no flaws or struggles
• The "ice queen" who is cold and emotionless
• The "bad boy/girl" who is rebellious and dangerous but ultimately just needs the love of the right person to change their ways
• The "manic pixie dream girl" who exists solely to help the male protagonist find himself
• The "sidekick" who is only there to support the protagonist and lacks their own storyline and development
• The "tortured artist" who is always brooding and self-destructive

By avoiding these stereotypes, writers can create more complex and interesting characters that feel real and authentic.

Negatives of being fascinating

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

• Others may feel intimidated or inferior around them
• Could be viewed as insincere or manipulative
• May come across as arrogant or self-centered
• May struggle with maintaining deep and meaningful relationships
• May have difficulty with boundaries and respecting others' privacy
• Can be seen as attention-seeking or showy

Positives of being fascinating

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

• Fascinating individuals often have a strong sense of purpose and can be very passionate about their beliefs and values.
• They have a unique and captivating personality that draws people in.
• Fascinating individuals are often seen as charismatic and charming.
• They are confident and unafraid to be themselves, which can be inspiring to those around them.
• They inspire others to be their best selves and encourage creativity and exploration.
• Fascinating people tend to be knowledgeable and have a wide range of interests, making them great conversationalists.
• They are great storytellers and have the ability to hold an audience's attention.

Verbal expressions of fascinating characters

Here are some potential expressions used by fascinating characters.

• Being a good listener and showing genuine interest in others
• Asking thought-provoking questions
• Being charismatic and charming
• Telling captivating stories
• Being knowledgeable about a variety of topics
• Using humor effectively
• Using body language to enhance communication
• Expressing unique viewpoints
• Engaging in conversation

Relationships of fascinating characters

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

• They tend to be open-minded and curious, which can make them great conversationalists and good at understanding others' perspectives.
• They are often passionate about their interests, which can inspire others to pursue their own passions and hobbies.
• Fascinating people tend to be authentic and true to themselves, which can inspire others to do the same.
• Fascinating people often have a sense of humor, which can help them connect with others and put them at ease.
• They tend to have strong interpersonal skills, allowing them to engage with others on a deep level.
• Fascinating people are often great listeners, which helps them build trust with others and forge strong relationships.
• Fascinating people often have a strong sense of empathy, which allows them to connect with others on an emotional level.
• Fascinating people often have a magnetic quality that draws others to them.
• They are confident, but not arrogant, which can inspire others to look up to them as role models.

Examples from books of characters who are fascinating

• Harry Potter from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Hester Prynne from "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle

Writing exercises for writing fascinating characters

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

• Start by identifying what makes a person fascinating to you. Is it their confidence, their intelligence, their sense of humor, their unique perspective? This will help you pinpoint what traits you want to emphasize in your character.
• Consider how your character's fascinating trait affects their relationships with others. Do people gravitate towards them because of this trait, or does it put people off? Write a scene that showcases how your character's trait affects their social interactions.
• Give your character a flaw or vulnerability that contrasts with their fascinating trait. This will make them more relatable and add depth to their character. For example, a highly confident character may struggle with self-doubt or imposter syndrome.
• Create a character backstory that explains why your character developed their fascinating trait. What life experiences or challenges did they face that led them to develop this trait? Use this backstory to inform how you write your character's behavior and dialogue.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who is not impressed by their fascinating trait. This will add conflict to your story and force your character to defend or explain themselves.
• Write a scene where your character is put in a situation where their fascinating traits shine. For example, if your character is exceptionally intelligent, have them solve a complex problem or debate a difficult topic.