Character Trait: Garrulous

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Garrulous is a character trait that refers to someone who talks excessively or ramblingly, often about trivial matters. A garrulous person tends to talk too much without getting to the point, and may also interrupt others frequently. This trait can be seen as a negative quality in some situations, particularly if it interferes with effective communication or causes annoyance or frustration in others. However, in other contexts, such as in certain types of storytelling, a garrulous character can add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Possible causes of being garrulous

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

• Lack of social awareness or empathy
• A tendency towards extroversion
• Cultural or familial values that prioritize speaking over listening
• A desire to be heard and recognized
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• A need to fill silence or avoid awkwardness
• An overactive imagination or creativity
• Attention-seeking behavior

Behaviors associated with being garrulous

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

• Struggling to listen actively or empathetically
• Dominating conversations
• Struggling to stay on topic
• Talking excessively or without restraint
• Using filler words or phrases (e.g. "um," "you know," "like," etc.)
• Rambling or going off on tangents
• Repeating oneself unnecessarily
• Interrupting others while they speak

Attitudes associated with being garrulous

You may be able to show garrulous through their attitudes.

• Gossipy
• Loquacious
• Talkative
• Wordy
• Rambling
• Excessive
• Overly communicative
• Chatty
• Verbose

Thoughts and struggles associated with being garrulous

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

• Garrulous characters tend to talk excessively and often struggle with listening to others.
• They may feel a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose without the constant stimulation of talking.
• Garrulous characters may have a fear of being alone or not being liked, leading them to overcompensate with their words.
• They may feel insecure and use talking as a way to compensate for their perceived shortcomings.
• They may have difficulty with boundaries and respecting others' personal space or privacy.
• They may struggle with impulse control and have difficulty filtering their thoughts before speaking.
• They may have a need for attention and validation, leading them to dominate conversations.

Emotions associated with being garrulous

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

• Loquacious
• Rambling
• Chatty
• Boastful
• Wordy
• Talkative
• Gossipy
• Repetitive
• Verbose

Facial expressions associated with being garrulous

Here are some facial expressions your garrulous character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows
• Wide smile
• Rapid speech
• Exaggerated gestures
• Animated eye movements
• Open mouth
• Laughing often and loudly
• Frequent head nods
• Interrupting others while they speak

Body language associated with being garrulous

Here is some body language your garrulous character may exhibit.

• Displaying confidence and enthusiasm
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Fidgeting or tapping their feet
• Talking excessively and rapidly
• Leaning in towards the person they are speaking to
• Avoiding periods of silence in conversation
• Using animated gestures and facial expressions

Behaviors associated with being garrulous

Here are some behaviors your garrulous character may exhibit.

• Interrupting others while they speak
• Rambling or going off on tangents
• Struggling to listen actively or empathetically
• Dominating conversations
• Struggling to stay on topic
• Talking excessively or without restraint
• Using filler words or phrases (e.g. "um," "you know," "like," etc.)
• Repeating oneself unnecessarily

Growth and evolution of garrulous characters

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

• Become more empathetic towards others and learn to understand their perspectives and needs.
• Develop better listening skills and become more aware of the impact their constant talking has on others.
• Discover the power of silence and become more comfortable with moments of quiet reflection.
• Learn to appreciate the value of brevity and concise communication.
• Learn to control their impulses and think before they speak, especially in sensitive situations.
• Discover a deeper sense of self-awareness and understanding of their own motivations and desires.
• Develop the ability to engage in more meaningful conversations, rather than just filling the air with chatter.

Stereotypes of garrulous characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical garrulous character like these examples.

• Avoid making the Garrulous character always talk in a predictable or repetitive way, using the same phrases, expressions, or jokes over and over again.
• Avoid making the Garrulous character a one-dimensional stereotype by giving them other traits and interests that complement their talkative nature.
• Avoid making the Garrulous character always talk about themselves, their problems, or their achievements, without showing any interest in other characters' lives or opinions.
• Avoid making the Garrulous character unrealistically knowledgeable or experienced in all topics, as this can make them seem pretentious or arrogant.
• Avoid making the Garrulous character speak only for the sake of speaking, without adding anything meaningful to the story or the other characters' development.
• Avoid making the Garrulous character an annoying or unlikable character by giving them an irritating or grating voice or behavior.

Negatives of being garrulous

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

• Garrulousness can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications as the speaker may not convey their message effectively.
• It can be difficult to have meaningful conversations with garrulous individuals as they tend to dominate the conversation.
• Garrulous people may struggle to listen to others and prioritize their thoughts and ideas over those of others.
• Talking excessively can be annoying and frustrating for others.

Positives of being garrulous

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

• Garrulous people often have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which can be infectious and inspiring to others.
• Garrulous individuals tend to be talkative and sociable, which can help them build strong relationships with others.
• They are usually able to express themselves well and can convey their thoughts and feelings effectively.
• They are often very knowledgeable and can share interesting insights and information with those around them.

Verbal expressions of garrulous characters

Here are some potential expressions used by garrulous characters.

• Talkative
• Endlessly jabbering
• Long-winded
• Loquacious
• Gossipy
• Wordy
• Too talkative
• Going on and on
• Prone to tangents
• Chatty
• Rambling
• Verbose
• Never-ending
• Talking excessively

Relationships of garrulous characters

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

• They may struggle to have deep, meaningful conversations with others and instead stick to surface-level topics.
• They may struggle to maintain close relationships due to their tendency to dominate conversations and not listen to others
• They may have a hard time keeping secrets or respecting boundaries
• They may be seen as entertaining or charming in social situations, but not necessarily trustworthy or reliable
• They may come across as self-centered or narcissistic
• They may struggle with active listening and truly hearing what others are saying
• They may dominate conversations and not give others a chance to speak

It's important to note that not all Garrulous people will exhibit all of these behaviors, and that everyone is different. These are just some common relationship dynamics that can arise when someone is particularly talkative or chatty.

Examples from books of characters who are garrulous

• Mr. Collins from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Aunt March from "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
• Mrs. Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Uncle Andrew from "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis
• Gilderoy Lockhart from "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling
• Mrs. Elton from "Emma" by Jane Austen
• Polonius from "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
• Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Writing exercises for writing garrulous characters

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

• Write a scene where your Garrulous character is at a social gathering and dominates the conversation, making it difficult for others to get a word in.
• Write a scene where your Garrulous character is trying to convince someone of something, but keeps getting sidetracked with unrelated stories or facts.
• Write a monologue from your Garrulous character's point of view, where they ramble on about their favorite topic.
• Write a dialogue where your Garrulous character interrupts the other person constantly, unable to let them finish a sentence.
• Write a scene where your Garrulous character is giving a speech or presentation, but struggles to stay on topic and keep the audience engaged.
• Write a scene where your Garrulous character is in a high-pressure situation and their tendency to talk excessively ends up causing them trouble.