Character Trait: Artless

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "artless" refers to a person who is sincere, genuine, and without deception or guile. An artless character is someone who is innocent and straightforward, and who speaks or acts without pretense or hidden motives. They may be naive or inexperienced, but they are always honest and authentic in their interactions with others. This trait can add depth and complexity to a character, making them more relatable and sympathetic to readers.

Possible causes of being artless

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

• Fear of failure or criticism, which prevents them from taking creative risks
• Cultural or societal values that prioritize practical skills over artistic expression
• Belief that art is frivolous or unimportant
• Lack of exposure to art or creative activities during childhood
• Trauma or negative experiences that have stifled their creativity
• Personality traits such as introversion or low openness to experience

For detailed feedback on artless characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being artless

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

• Failing to understand or appreciate subtlety or nuance in communication
• Being easily fooled or manipulated by others
• Saying what comes to mind without considering the consequences or feelings of others
• Being insensitive or unaware of social norms and expectations
• Speaking or behaving in a way that is unrefined or lacking in sophistication
• Acting impulsively without much thought or planning
• Being straightforward or blunt to the point of being rude or offensive
• Being naive or lacking in experience and wisdom
• Being honest to a fault, even when it may hurt others

Attitudes associated with being artless

You may be able to show artless through their attitudes.

• Humility and lack of ego or self-importance
• Honesty and transparency in communication
• Genuine and unpretentious demeanor
• Naivety or innocence in perspective or approach
• Lack of artifice or affectation in personality or appearance
• Lack of sophistication or refinement in behavior or speech
• Naturalness and spontaneity in actions and reactions
• Openness to learning and feedback
• Inability to deceive or manipulate others

Thoughts and struggles associated with being artless

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

• Fear of being judged or ridiculed for lack of artistic ability or knowledge
• Tendency to dismiss or criticize artistic endeavors
• Belief that creativity is a talent one is either born with or without, rather than a skill that can be developed
• Inability to express oneself creatively
• Feeling left out or inadequate in artistic circles or events
• Difficulty appreciating or understanding art
• Frustration with not being able to convey emotions or ideas through art
• Envy of those who possess artistic talent or success
• Sense of emptiness or lack of purpose without a creative outlet

Emotions associated with being artless

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

• Openness
• Trustfulness
• Innocence
• Sincerity
• Lack of pretense
• Simplicity
• Genuineness
• Naivety
• Honesty

Facial expressions associated with being artless

Here are some facial expressions your artless character may exhibit.

• Lack of subtlety or nuance in facial movements
• Open and honest gaze
• Inability to conceal emotions or thoughts
• Wide, unblinking eyes
• Raised eyebrows
• Lack of facial tension
• Mouth slightly agape
• Simplistic or naive expression
• Lack of self-consciousness or self-awareness

Body language associated with being artless

Here is some body language your artless character may exhibit.

• Limited range of facial expressions
• Lack of eye contact or avoidance of eye contact
• Awkward movements or gestures
• Tendency to blush or look nervous in social situations
• Inability to maintain a steady posture or movement
• Lack of confidence in physical appearance or grooming
• Difficulty in expressing oneself clearly or succinctly
• Fidgeting or playing with objects

For detailed feedback on artless characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being artless

Here are some behaviors your artless character may exhibit.

• Failing to understand or appreciate subtlety or nuance in communication
• Saying what comes to mind without considering the consequences or feelings of others
• Being honest to a fault, even when it may hurt others
• Acting impulsively without much thought or planning
• Being straightforward or blunt to the point of being rude or offensive
• Being easily fooled or manipulated by others
• Being insensitive or unaware of social norms and expectations
• Speaking or behaving in a way that is unrefined or lacking in sophistication
• Being naive or lacking in experience and wisdom

Growth and evolution of artless characters

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

• Developing a deeper sense of empathy and emotional intelligence through engaging with art and people who are passionate about it
• Learning to trust their instincts and embrace their unique perspective on the world
• Finding a sense of belonging and community through connecting with other artists and appreciators of art
• Learning to appreciate and understand the value of art and creativity in the world
• Developing a sense of self-worth and confidence through their artistic endeavors
• Discovering their own creativity and finding joy in expressing themselves through art
• Overcoming their fear of being vulnerable and expressing themselves authentically

Stereotypes of artless characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical artless character like these examples.

• Socially awkward or inept
• Naive and gullible
• Clumsy and accident-prone
• Lacking in creativity or imagination
• Timid and easily intimidated
• Easily manipulated or taken advantage of
• Boring and uninteresting
• Passive and indecisive
• Unintelligent or slow-witted

Negatives of being artless

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

• Inability to think outside of the box
• Lack of creativity
• Difficulty in expressing emotions
• Inability to appreciate art or aesthetics
• Lack of originality
• Limited imagination
• Difficulty in problem-solving
• Tendency to follow rather than lead
• Difficulty in connecting with others on an emotional level

Positives of being artless

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

• Comfortable with imperfection and vulnerability
• Open-minded and curious
• Not pretentious or fake
• Approachable and easy to talk to
• Adaptable and flexible
• Humble and down-to-earth
• Authentic and sincere
• Genuine and honest
• Able to connect with people from different backgrounds

Verbal expressions of artless characters

Here are some potential expressions used by artless characters.

• Speaking without thinking or planning what to say
• Lacking finesse or subtlety in communication
• Being blunt or straightforward to the point of rudeness
• Using coarse or vulgar language
• Showing a lack of sophistication or refinement in speech
• Being insensitive or unaware of social norms and expectations
• Speaking without tact or consideration for others' feelings
• Being too honest or disclosing too much information

Relationships of artless characters

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

• They may be blunt and honest, sometimes to the point of being tactless or insensitive.
• They may come across as self-centered or arrogant, as they tend to prioritize their own interests and needs.
• They may have a tendency to dominate conversations or interrupt others, as they prioritize their own thoughts and opinions.
• They may struggle to navigate social situations or understand social cues, leading to awkward or uncomfortable interactions.
• They may unintentionally offend or hurt others with their directness or lack of filter.
• They may have difficulty building trust or forming close relationships, as their lack of emotional depth can make them seem distant or uninterested.
• They may struggle to understand or empathize with others' feelings or perspectives.

Examples from books of characters who are artless

• Christopher John Francis Boone from "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon
• Augustus Waters from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Quentin Compson from "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
• Lennie Small from "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
• Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Charlie from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
• Forrest Gump from "Forrest Gump" by Winston Groom

Writing exercises for writing artless characters

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

• Use sensory details to show how your character experiences the world. Do they notice the same things as someone who is more artistic? Do they appreciate the same things?
• Create a character who lacks artfulness. Give them a backstory that explains why they are this way. Perhaps they grew up in a family that didn't value creativity or were discouraged from pursuing artistic endeavors.
• Write a scene in which your character is confronted with a work of art. How do they react? Do they dismiss it as frivolous or are they moved by it despite themselves?
• Consider how your character's lack of artfulness affects their relationships with others. Do they have trouble connecting with people who are more artistic than they are? Are they oblivious to the beauty around them?
• Consider how your character's lack of artfulness might be a strength rather than a weakness. Perhaps they are practical and grounded, able to solve problems in a way that more artistic people cannot.
• Start by defining what "artless" means to you and how it manifests in your characters. Consider what values and behaviors are associated with this trait.