Character Trait: Glad

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "glad" refers to a feeling of happiness or pleasure in response to a particular situation or event. It is a positive emotional state that can be expressed through words, actions, or facial expressions. When a character is described as glad, they are typically experiencing a sense of contentment, satisfaction, or joy. This trait can be used to convey a character's positive outlook, optimism, or resilience in the face of challenges.

Possible causes of being glad

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

• Cultivation of a positive mindset
• Supportive family and friends
• Positive life experiences and upbringing
• Natural disposition or temperament
• Engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment
• Practice of gratitude and mindfulness
• Active pursuit of happiness and satisfaction in life
• Willingness to let go of negative emotions and experiences

Behaviors associated with being glad

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

• Seeing the good in people and situations
• Complimenting others
• Laughing
• Sharing happiness with others
• Smiling
• Finding joy in small things
• Being optimistic
• Spreading positivity
• Expressing gratitude
• Being content with what you have
• Celebrating achievements

Attitudes associated with being glad

You may be able to show glad through their attitudes.

• Contentment
• Cheerfulness
• Joyfulness
• Optimism
• Positivity
• Satisfaction
• Gratitude
• Enthusiasm
• Appreciation

Thoughts and struggles associated with being glad

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

• They may also have moments of doubt and worry that their happiness won't last
• This character may have a strong sense of gratitude and appreciation for the good things in their life, and actively seek out ways to spread joy and kindness to others
• This character may be prone to optimism and seeing the good in situations, but this could also lead to naivety
• They may prioritize the happiness of others over their own, sometimes to their own detriment
• A glad character may struggle with feeling guilty for being happy when others around them are not

Emotions associated with being glad

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

• Enthusiasm
• Happiness
• Delight
• Contentment
• Gratitude
• Pleasure
• Satisfaction
• Elation
• Joy

Facial expressions associated with being glad

Here are some facial expressions your glad character may exhibit.

• Chin tilted up
• Raised eyebrows
• Laughing
• Bright eyes
• Smiling
• Relaxed forehead
• Cheeks lifted
• Softened gaze
• Nodding in agreement
• Open mouth

It's important to remember that everyone expresses emotions differently, so these are just some general facial expressions that may be associated with feeling glad.

Body language associated with being glad

Here is some body language your glad character may exhibit.

• Lightness: People who are glad tend to have a lightness about them. They may move more quickly, and their footsteps may seem lighter.
• Smile: A genuine smile is an obvious body language associated with being glad.
• Open posture: When someone is glad, they tend to have an open and relaxed body posture. Their shoulders will be relaxed, and they may lean slightly forward.
• Animated gestures: When people are glad, they tend to be more animated with their gestures. They may use their hands more, or they may nod their head more in agreement.
• Eye contact: Someone who is glad will tend to have positive eye contact. They will look directly at the person they are speaking to and maintain eye contact for longer periods.

Behaviors associated with being glad

Here are some behaviors your glad character may exhibit.

• Expressing gratitude
• Sharing happiness with others
• Complimenting others
• Smiling
• Finding joy in small things
• Being content with what you have
• Being optimistic
• Spreading positivity
• Laughing
• Celebrating achievements
• Seeing the good in people and situations

Growth and evolution of glad characters

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

• Learning to forgive and let go of grudges
• Learning to find joy in the little things
• Developing a more positive outlook on life
• Helping others find happiness and positivity
• Cultivating gratitude for what they have
• Finding inner strength and resilience in difficult situations
• Finding ways to spread joy and positivity to those around them
• Overcoming challenges and obstacles with a smile on their face
• Becoming more empathetic and understanding towards others

Stereotypes of glad characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical glad character like these examples.

• The "drunken Irishman" stereotype
• The "lazy Mexican" stereotype
• The "dumb blonde" stereotype
• The "greedy Jew" stereotype
• The "magical Negro" stereotype
• The "angry Black woman" stereotype
• The "sassy gay best friend" stereotype
• The "nerdy Asian" stereotype
• The "overly emotional woman" stereotype

Negatives of being glad

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

• Being overly optimistic and ignoring potential problems or difficulties
• Being taken advantage of or manipulated by others
• Being seen as annoying or insincere
• Being seen as naive or unrealistic
• Being insensitive to the struggles or concerns of others

Positives of being glad

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

• It allows you to appreciate the good things that happen to you.
• Gladness can also improve your physical health by reducing stress and boosting your immune system.
• It helps you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
• Gladness is contagious and can uplift the people around you.
• Being glad helps you maintain a positive outlook on life.
• Being glad can also help you overcome negative emotions like sadness or anger.

Verbal expressions of glad characters

Here are some potential expressions used by glad characters.

• "I'm thrilled!"
• "This is great news!"
• "I'm so happy!"
• "I couldn't be more pleased!"
• "I'm on cloud nine!"
• "This is wonderful!"
• "I'm ecstatic!"
• "I'm overjoyed!"
• "I'm delighted!"

Relationships of glad characters

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

• They often have close-knit and supportive relationships with family and friends.
• Glad people may struggle in relationships with individuals who are negative or pessimistic, as they may find it draining or challenging to maintain a positive outlook around them.
• They may have a strong desire to help others and make a positive impact on the world, leading to fulfilling relationships with those who share similar values.
• Glad people are typically warm and approachable, making it easy for others to connect with them.
• Glad people tend to have positive and uplifting relationships with others.
• They may have a tendency to be people-pleasers and avoid conflict in their relationships.
• Glad people often attract others who are also optimistic and positive, creating a community of like-minded individuals.

Examples from books of characters who are glad

• Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Huckleberry Finn from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Writing exercises for writing glad characters

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

• Experiment with writing from your character's perspective as they experience something that makes them glad. Use sensory details and internal thoughts to convey their emotions.
• Consider how your character's gladness might change over time. Are there certain experiences or events that could make them less glad? How might they react to these changes?
• Write a scene where your character is experiencing intense gladness. Focus on describing their physical and emotional reactions to this feeling.
• Try writing a scene where your character's gladness is challenged in some way. This could be a minor setback or a major obstacle. How does your character respond to this challenge, and what does it reveal about their personality?
• Consider how your character's gladness might manifest in their relationships with others. Do they express their joy openly, or do they keep it to themselves? How might their gladness affect their interactions with others?
• Start by exploring what makes your character feel glad. What situations or experiences bring them joy and happiness? Make a list of these things to refer to as you develop your character.