Character Trait: Amateur

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "amateur" refers to someone who engages in an activity or pursuit without being a professional or having formal training or expertise in that particular field. In terms of writing, an amateur character may be someone who is just starting out or who hasn't yet honed their skills as a writer. They may lack confidence in their abilities or struggle with self-doubt, but they are also likely to be enthusiastic and passionate about their craft.

Possible causes of being amateur

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

• Inability to take constructive feedback or criticism
• Fear of failure or rejection
• Perfectionism or unrealistic expectations
• Poor time management or organizational skills
• Lack of experience or exposure in a particular field or activity
• Procrastination or lack of motivation
• Disinterest or lack of passion for the task at hand
• Low self-confidence or self-esteem
• Limited knowledge or skills in a specific area

For detailed feedback on amateur characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being amateur

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

• Focusing more on the process rather than the end result
• Copying or imitating others rather than developing original ideas
• Lack of experience or expertise
• Being overly enthusiastic or naive
• Being unsure or hesitant
• Not having a professional attitude or approach to work
• Making mistakes or errors
• Not having a clear understanding or knowledge of a subject
• Not taking criticism or feedback well

Attitudes associated with being amateur

You may be able to show amateur through their attitudes.

• Eagerness to try new things
• May lack confidence in their abilities
• May not have access to professional resources or equipment
• Lack of experience or expertise
• May be more open to collaboration and feedback
• Less pressure to perform at a professional level
• Willingness to learn and improve

Thoughts and struggles associated with being amateur

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

• Uncertainty about their writing style and voice
• Ambivalence about pursuing writing as a career or hobby
• Worry about finding time to write amidst other responsibilities and obligations
• Feelings of self-doubt and insecurity about their abilities as a writer
• Tension between the desire to emulate their favorite writers and the need to develop their own unique voice
• Difficulty balancing the desire to express themselves creatively with the need for structure and discipline in their writing process
• Frustration with writer's block and a lack of inspiration
• Fear of criticism or rejection from others
• Struggle to create characters that feel authentic and three-dimensional

Emotions associated with being amateur

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

• Insecurity
• Clumsiness
• Imposter syndrome
• Anxiety
• Feeling like an outsider
• Uncertainty
• Fear of failure
• Lack of confidence
• Self-doubt

Facial expressions associated with being amateur

Here are some facial expressions your amateur character may exhibit.

• Nervous smile
• Wide-eyed
• Squinted eyes
• Tense or trembling lips
• Open mouth
• Blushing cheeks
• Raised eyebrows
• Clenched jaw
• Sweating forehead

Body language associated with being amateur

Here is some body language your amateur character may exhibit.

• Avoiding eye contact
• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Clumsy or uncoordinated movements
• Poor posture or slouching
• Difficulty making decisions or taking action
• Inability to effectively communicate needs or boundaries
• Nervous laughter or forced smiles
• Lack of confidence or assertiveness
• Unclear or hesitant speech

For detailed feedback on amateur characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being amateur

Here are some behaviors your amateur character may exhibit.

• Copying or imitating others rather than developing original ideas
• Lack of experience or expertise
• Being unsure or hesitant
• Not having a clear understanding or knowledge of a subject
• Not having a professional attitude or approach to work
• Being overly enthusiastic or naive
• Not taking criticism or feedback well
• Making mistakes or errors
• Focusing more on the process rather than the end result

Growth and evolution of amateur characters

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

• Developing a greater sense of responsibility and accountability
• Becoming more self-aware and reflective
• Confronting and overcoming personal fears or obstacles
• Developing greater empathy and understanding of others
• Discovering and embracing their true identity or purpose
• Gaining confidence and overcoming self-doubt
• Learning new skills or developing existing ones
• Learning from mistakes and failures and using them as opportunities for growth
• Learning to work with others and improving teamwork skills

Stereotypes of amateur characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical amateur character like these examples.

• Being overly emotional or dramatic
• Lack of skill or talent in any area
• Clumsiness as the defining trait
• Being overly passive or submissive
• Being easily swayed or manipulated by others
• Having no real goals or aspirations
• Being overly naive or innocent
• Inability to make decisions or take action
• Lack of self-confidence or self-esteem

Negatives of being amateur

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

• Difficulty in finding and maintaining a consistent voice or style
• Inconsistent or poor quality of work
• Lack of connections and networking opportunities
• Lack of experience and knowledge in the field
• Inability to effectively handle criticism or rejection
• Limited access to resources and tools necessary for success
• Limited understanding of industry standards and expectations

Positives of being amateur

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

• Freedom to explore and experiment without pressure or expectations
• Greater sense of passion and enthusiasm for the creative process
• Ability to approach projects with fresh perspectives and unconventional ideas
• Chance to connect with like-minded individuals and build supportive communities
• Ability to take risks and pursue creative endeavors without fear of failure
• Opportunity to learn and improve skills through trial and error

Verbal expressions of amateur characters

Here are some potential expressions used by amateur characters.

• Relying on exposition rather than showing through actions and dialogue
• Using clichés or overused phrases
• Struggling to find the right words to express an idea
• Writing overly simplistic or predictable plots
• Failing to create believable motivations for characters
• Creating one-dimensional or stereotypical characters
• Being too wordy or verbose
• Using improper grammar or sentence structure
• Using unrealistic or contrived dialogue

Relationships of amateur characters

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

• Insecurity: The amateur may struggle with self-doubt and fear of rejection, leading to defensive or self-sabotaging behavior.
• Envy: The amateur may feel jealous of others' success or talents, leading to resentment or insecurity.
• Avoidance: The amateur may withdraw from social interactions or intimacy, fearing rejection or vulnerability.
• Competition: The amateur may view interactions with others as a competition, seeking to prove themselves as superior or win approval.
• Approval-seeking: The amateur may prioritize pleasing others over their own needs or desires, seeking validation and acceptance.
• Codependency: The amateur may become overly involved in others' lives, neglecting their own needs and boundaries.
• Dependence: The amateur may rely heavily on others for emotional, financial, or practical support.

Examples from books of characters who are amateur

• Frodo Baggins from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Harry Potter from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Ender Wiggin from "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Charlie Bucket from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
• Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Writing exercises for writing amateur characters

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

• Write a scene where your character makes a mistake due to their lack of experience. This could be a funny mistake or a serious one that has consequences for the character or others around them.
• Write a scene where your character is given an opportunity to learn from someone who is more experienced. This could be a formal class or workshop, or it could be a more informal setting where the character is learning on the job.
• Show your character's enthusiasm for something they are inexperienced in. Maybe they are a beginner musician who is passionate about learning, or they are a new chef who is excited to try new recipes.
• Write a scene where your character attempts to do something they have never done before, but they are clearly inexperienced. For example, they might try to cook a complicated meal or play a sport they have never played before.
• Write a scene where your character must overcome a challenge that is directly related to their amateur status. For example, they might have to perform in front of an audience, even though they are nervous and inexperienced.
• Create a dialogue between your character and a more experienced character, where the amateur character is clearly out of their depth. This could be a mentor figure, a boss, or someone who is simply more knowledgeable in a certain area.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they are an amateur in a certain area. Maybe they never had the opportunity to learn or were discouraged from pursuing their interests.