Character Trait: Actual

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. I'm sorry, but "Actual" is not a commonly recognized character trait. Could you please provide more context or clarify your question?

Possible causes of being actual

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

• Mental health conditions or disorders
• Cultural and societal influences
• Interpersonal relationships and interactions with others
• Environment and upbringing
• Life experiences and events
• Physical and neurological differences or conditions
• Genetics and inherited traits
• Personal beliefs and values

For detailed feedback on actual characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being actual

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

• Being honest and truthful in all situations
• Being authentic and true to oneself
• Being accountable for one's actions and decisions
• Following through on commitments and promises
• Avoiding exaggeration or hyperbole
• Seeking to understand others' perspectives and experiences
• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for them
• Being reliable and dependable
• Being present and engaged in conversations and activities

Attitudes associated with being actual

You may be able to show actual through their attitudes.

• Clarity
• Honesty
• Transparency
• Pragmatism
• Realism
• Objectivity
• Authenticity
• Directness
• Accountability

Thoughts and struggles associated with being actual

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

• Trying to balance personal goals with the expectations of others
• Feeling a sense of imposter syndrome and constantly questioning their abilities
• Struggling with anxiety and overthinking in high-pressure situations
• Dealing with a chronic illness or disability and the emotional toll it takes
• Feeling torn between two conflicting desires or obligations
• Struggling with addiction or unhealthy coping mechanisms
• Dealing with a difficult past and trying to move past trauma
• Wrestling with their own moral code and what they believe is right vs. wrong
• Striving for perfection and struggling to accept imperfections

Emotions associated with being actual

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

• Self-acceptance
• Self-awareness
• Honesty
• Presence
• Authenticity
• Clarity
• Transparency
• Directness
• Confidence

Facial expressions associated with being actual

Here are some facial expressions your actual character may exhibit.

• A furrowed brow in concentration or concern
• Eye contact and focused attention
• A slight head tilt in interest or curiosity
• A genuine smile that reaches the eyes
• A lack of pretense or exaggeration in facial expressions
• A relaxed and open facial expression
• A subtle nod or shake of the head to convey agreement or disagreement
• Raised eyebrows in surprise or excitement
• A calm and composed demeanor

Body language associated with being actual

Here is some body language your actual character may exhibit.

• Maintaining a comfortable distance from others without being too close or too far away
• Using assertive gestures, such as pointing or gesturing with an open palm
• Speaking clearly and confidently
• Taking up space and owning their physical presence
• Avoiding fidgeting or nervous tics
• Displaying a calm and composed demeanor, even in stressful situations
• Nodding their head to show agreement or understanding
• Making direct eye contact
• Standing tall with good posture

For detailed feedback on actual characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being actual

Here are some behaviors your actual character may exhibit.

• Being reliable and dependable
• Avoiding exaggeration or hyperbole
• Following through on commitments and promises
• Being honest and truthful in all situations
• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for them
• Being authentic and true to oneself
• Seeking to understand others' perspectives and experiences
• Being present and engaged in conversations and activities
• Being accountable for one's actions and decisions

Growth and evolution of actual characters

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

• Learning to forgive themselves or others
• Discovering a deeper understanding of themselves or the world around them
• Standing up for what they believe in
• Gaining confidence or self-assurance
• Developing new skills or abilities
• Accepting change or loss and adapting to it
• Becoming more empathetic or compassionate
• Taking on new responsibilities or challenges
• Learning to trust others or themselves
• Finding a new purpose or direction in life
• Letting go of a negative belief or attitude
• Making amends for past mistakes
• Overcoming a fear or weakness

Stereotypes of actual characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical actual character like these examples.

• The "macho man" who is overly aggressive and emotionally distant
• The "perfect" character who has no flaws or makes no mistakes
• The "token minority" who is only included in the story to fulfill a diversity quota
• The "mean girl" who is shallow, manipulative, and only cares about popularity
• The "damsel in distress" who is helpless and always needs to be rescued by others
• The "nerd" who is socially awkward, uncool, and lacks confidence

Negatives of being actual

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

• Being seen as overly serious or rigid in personality
• Struggling to adapt to change or unexpected circumstances
• Struggling to connect with others emotionally or empathize with their experiences
• Being perceived as lacking ambition or vision for the future
• Acting impulsively without considering others' feelings or perspectives
• Being overly pragmatic and lacking imagination or creativity
• Being too focused on the present moment and neglecting future consequences

Positives of being actual

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

• Building strong and genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect
• Being able to handle challenges and conflicts with grace and authenticity
• Feeling a sense of inner peace and fulfillment by living in alignment with one's values and beliefs
• Inspiring others through one's actions and words by being true to oneself
• Developing a unique identity and embracing one's individuality
• Encouraging others to also be themselves and celebrate diversity
• Being authentic and honest with oneself and others

Verbal expressions of actual characters

Here are some potential expressions used by actual characters.

• Avoiding exaggeration or hyperbole
• Refraining from making assumptions or speculations
• Using concrete language
• Being specific and detailed
• Speaking directly and truthfully
• Admitting mistakes or limitations
• Stating facts and evidence
• Focusing on the present reality rather than past or future possibilities

Relationships of actual characters

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

• Community relationships: supportive, collaborative, competitive, conflicting, etc.
• Sibling relationships: close, competitive, distant, estranged, supportive, etc.
• Online relationships: supportive, toxic, anonymous, collaborative, etc.
• Parent-child relationships: nurturing, protective, authoritative, controlling, distant, loving, etc.
• Friendships: supportive, fun, loyal, casual, distant, toxic, etc.
• Professional relationships: collaborative, competitive, supportive, hierarchical, toxic, etc.
• Acquaintanceships: polite, distant, friendly, casual, curious, etc.
• Romantic relationships: passionate, loving, supportive, jealous, codependent, toxic, etc.

It's important to note that these dynamics can vary greatly depending on the individual people involved and the specific context of the relationship.

Examples from books of characters who are actual

• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Writing exercises for writing actual characters

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

• Write a scene from the character's point of view: This will help you get inside their head and understand how they perceive and react to the world around them. Focus on how their actual trait influences their thoughts and emotions.
• Use sensory details: Show the actual trait through actions, body language, and dialogue. For example, if your character is impatient, describe how they tap their foot, sigh loudly, or interrupt others.
• Use contrast: Create a character who is the opposite of your protagonist in terms of the actual trait. This can help highlight the trait's importance and provide a point of comparison for readers.
• Start with a character profile: Develop a detailed description of your character's personality, background, and motivations. Consider how their actual trait manifests in their behavior and interactions with others.
• Write a scene where the character is challenged: Put your character in a situation where their actual trait is tested or pushed to the extreme. This will reveal how they react under pressure and can help you deepen your understanding of their personality.