Character Trait: Animated

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Animated refers to a lively, energetic, and enthusiastic personality. An animated character is full of spirit and vitality, often displaying a range of emotions and actions that are larger-than-life. This trait can manifest in various forms, from a bubbly and outgoing persona to a more intense and passionate demeanor. Overall, an animated character is one that brings a sense of excitement and energy to the story.

Possible causes of being animated

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

• They enjoy making others laugh and being the center of attention.
• They may have a playful or childlike nature, which manifests in their animated personality.
• They may have a natural inclination towards creativity and self-expression.
• They have a strong imagination and enjoy creating their own worlds and stories.
• They may have grown up watching cartoons or animated movies, which influenced their personality and mannerisms.
• They may be highly extroverted and enjoy socializing and meeting new people.
• They may use their animated personality as a defense mechanism, to hide their true emotions or vulnerabilities.

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

Behaviors associated with being animated

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

• Being impulsive and spontaneous
• Being highly engaged and enthusiastic
• Reacting physically to situations and stimuli
• Using body language to convey emotions and thoughts
• Demonstrating excitement and passion for things
• Exhibiting a sense of humor and playfulness
• Talking with expressive gestures and intonation
• Moving in a lively and energetic manner
• Having a vivid imagination and creativity

Attitudes associated with being animated

You may be able to show animated through their attitudes.

• A tendency to be extroverted and outgoing
• Playfulness and a sense of humor
• Expressiveness and emotional intensity
• High energy and enthusiasm
• A desire to inspire and motivate others
• A desire to connect with others and build relationships
• A tendency to be impulsive or spontaneous
• Curiosity and openness to new experiences
• A lack of inhibition and willingness to take risks

Thoughts and struggles associated with being animated

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

• Feeling torn between loyalty to friends and doing what is right
• Desire for acceptance and belonging
• Coping with loss or traumatic events
• Dealing with anger or resentment towards others
• Fear of failure or being rejected by others
• Insecurity about their abilities or appearance
• Struggling with making difficult decisions
• Overcoming personal biases or prejudices
• Conflicting emotions between duty and personal desires

Emotions associated with being animated

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

• Lively
• Dynamic
• Vibrant
• Excited
• Enthusiastic
• Playful
• Spirited
• Energetic
• Expressive

Facial expressions associated with being animated

Here are some facial expressions your animated character may exhibit.

• Moving or twitching ears
• Big smile with visible teeth
• Tilting or shaking head
• Raised or furrowed forehead
• Wide eyes with raised eyebrows
• Puffed cheeks
• Raised or wiggling eyebrows
• Flared nostrils
• Squinted or closed eyes with a big grin
• Moving or twitching nose

Body language associated with being animated

Here is some body language your animated character may exhibit.

• Bouncing or jumping up and down
• Fidgeting or tapping feet
• Rapid speech and interruptions
• Quick and lively movements
• Leaning forward and being physically engaged in conversation
• Smiling or laughing often
• Making eye contact and maintaining it
• Frequent hand gestures
• Wide and exaggerated movements
• Displaying enthusiasm or excitement

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

Behaviors associated with being animated

Here are some behaviors your animated character may exhibit.

• Being impulsive and spontaneous
• Exhibiting a sense of humor and playfulness
• Demonstrating excitement and passion for things
• Having a vivid imagination and creativity
• Moving in a lively and energetic manner
• Using body language to convey emotions and thoughts
• Talking with expressive gestures and intonation
• Reacting physically to situations and stimuli
• Being highly engaged and enthusiastic

Growth and evolution of animated characters

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

• Learning to trust others
• Changing perspectives or beliefs
• Discovering new strengths or talents
• Discovering their true identity or purpose
• Learning important life lessons
• Overcoming fears or flaws
• Facing and overcoming challenges or obstacles
• Developing new friendships or relationships
• Developing empathy or understanding for others

Stereotypes of animated characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical animated character like these examples.

• The Incompetent Parent: Avoid creating parents who are portrayed as clueless or incompetent, as this reinforces negative stereotypes about parenting.
• The Token Minority: Avoid creating characters of different races or ethnicities solely for the sake of diversity without giving them meaningful roles or character development.
• The Villain with No Motivation: Avoid creating villains who are evil for the sake of being evil, without any clear motivation or backstory.
• The Comic Relief: Avoid creating characters who exist solely to provide comic relief without any other purpose or depth.
• The Strong, Silent Type: Avoid creating male characters who are stoic and emotionless, as this reinforces harmful masculinity stereotypes.
• The Overly Sexualized Character: Avoid creating female characters who are hyper-sexualized, as this objectifies and dehumanizes them.
• The Perfect Hero: Avoid creating protagonists who are flawless and never make mistakes, as this can make them unrelatable and uninteresting.
• The Damsel in Distress: Avoid creating female characters who are helpless and constantly need rescuing from the male protagonist.

Negatives of being animated

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

• Animated characters may lack the nuance and complexity of live-action characters, which can make them less interesting or compelling.
• They may be limited by their physical design or abilities, which can limit their actions and expressions.
• They may be subject to cultural or societal stereotypes that can limit their portrayal and potential impact.
• Animated characters can sometimes come across as less realistic or relatable.
• They may be perceived as more childish or geared towards younger audiences.

Positives of being animated

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

• Animated characters can be used to explore complex themes and issues in a more accessible and engaging way, especially for younger audiences.
• They often have exaggerated movements and expressions that can convey emotions and personality traits in a more vibrant and entertaining way.
• They are not restricted by the laws of physics or reality, which means they can do things that humans or animals can't, such as talking, flying, or shape-shifting.
• Animated characters are full of life and energy, which can make them captivating and endearing to audiences.
• Animated characters can be designed in a limitless range of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles, allowing for more creativity and diversity in storytelling.

Verbal expressions of animated characters

Here are some potential expressions used by animated characters.

• Using humor and wit
• Being talkative
• Using inflections in tone
• Using metaphors and similes
• Being lively and energetic
• Speaking at a fast pace
• Speaking with enthusiasm
• Being passionate about a topic
• Using expressive hand gestures

Relationships of animated characters

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

• They may also have a dynamic of admiration and respect with those they look up to or view as role models, often seeking their guidance and approval.
• They may also have a dynamic of conflict and tension with those they have a history of disagreements or misunderstandings with, often struggling to find common ground and resolve their issues.
• They may also have a more animated and expressive dynamic with those they are close to, using exaggerated facial expressions and body language to convey their emotions.
• Animated people may have a dynamic of competition and rivalry with those they perceive as their equals or competitors, often pushing themselves to be the best and outdo their opponents.
• Animated people may have a more reserved and cautious dynamic with those they don't know well or feel uncomfortable around, often holding back their true emotions and thoughts.
• Animated people may have a playful and whimsical dynamic with those they feel comfortable around, often incorporating humor and jokes into their interactions.

Examples from books of characters who are animated

• Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak
• Horton from "Horton Hears a Who!" by Dr. Seuss
• The Cat in the Hat from "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss
• Winnie-the-Pooh from "Winnie-the-Pooh" by A.A. Milne
• Stuart Little from "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
• Peter Rabbit from "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter
• Pippi Longstocking from "Pippi Longstocking" by Astrid Lindgren
• The Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss
• Wilbur from "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Writing exercises for writing animated characters

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

• Write a scene where a character is trying to hide their emotions, but their animated behavior gives them away.
• Write a scene where a character's emotions are so intense that they are physically animated, such as jumping up and down with excitement or pacing back and forth with anxiety.
• Think about a character who is always the life of the party and never stops talking. Write a scene where this character dominates a conversation with their animated storytelling.
• Create a character who uses physical humor to lighten tense situations. Write a scene where this character diffuses a conflict with their animated behavior.
• Think about a character who is always moving, even when they are sitting still. Write a scene where this character cannot sit still and is constantly fidgeting.
• Create a character who uses their body language in an exaggerated way to express their emotions. Write a scene where they use their body language to convey a specific emotion, such as anger or joy.
• Write a scene where a character's animated behavior causes them to stand out in a group, either positively or negatively.