Character Trait: Attractive

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Attractive is a character trait that refers to a person's physical or non-physical qualities that make them appealing or desirable to others. It can encompass a wide range of traits, such as physical beauty, charisma, confidence, charm, and a pleasing personality. People with this trait tend to have a magnetic quality that draws others towards them, making them popular and admired. However, it's important to note that attractiveness is subjective and can vary from person to person.

Possible causes of being attractive

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

• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Respect for others and their perspectives
• Enthusiasm and passion for life
• Open-mindedness and willingness to learn
• Humility and willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them
• Honesty and integrity
• Empathy and compassion towards others
• Ability to communicate effectively and listen actively
• Creativity and imagination
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Confidence and self-assurance
• Positive attitude towards life
• Good sense of humor

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

Behaviors associated with being attractive

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

• Being emotionally mature and able to handle conflicts and challenges gracefully
• Expressing genuine interest in others and actively listening to them
• Exhibiting confidence and self-assurance in social situations
• Having a positive attitude and outlook on life
• Taking care of one's physical health through exercise and healthy eating habits
• Being kind, approachable, and friendly to others
• Dressing in a way that flatters one's body type and personal style
• Maintaining good personal hygiene and grooming habits
• Cultivating talents or skills that are attractive to others

Attitudes associated with being attractive

You may be able to show attractive through their attitudes.

• Strong sense of personal style
• Ease in social situations
• Self-assuredness
• Comfort with attention
• Ability to make others feel comfortable
• Confidence
• Charisma
• Poise
• Positive self-image

Thoughts and struggles associated with being attractive

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

• Thoughts about their physical appearance and how it affects others' perceptions of them
• Struggles with maintaining their attractiveness and the pressure to always look their best
• Concerns about others' intentions and whether they are genuinely interested in them as a person or just their appearance
• Internal conflict between enjoying the attention that comes with being attractive and feeling objectified or uncomfortable with it
• Struggles with self-esteem and feeling like they have to live up to societal beauty standards
• Fear of aging and losing their attractiveness over time
• Worries about being judged or valued solely on their looks

Emotions associated with being attractive

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

• Admiration
• Gratitude
• Self-assurance
• Pride
• Fulfillment
• Validation
• Acceptance
• Excitement
• Satisfaction
• Self-esteem
• Confidence
• Joy
• Attention
• Euphoria

Facial expressions associated with being attractive

Here are some facial expressions your attractive character may exhibit.

• Giggling
• Having a relaxed and confident posture
• Blushing
• Laughing
• Licking or biting the lips
• Winking
• Pouting
• Raising the eyebrows
• Tilting the head
• Smirking
• Nodding
• Giving a seductive gaze
• Smiling
• Flirting with the eyes

Body language associated with being attractive

Here is some body language your attractive character may exhibit.

• Maintaining eye contact: making consistent eye contact with others
• Open body language: keeping arms uncrossed, facing the other person, and keeping a relaxed stance
• Leaning in: showing interest in the conversation by leaning towards the speaker
• Mirroring: subtly mimicking the other person's body language and movements
• Touch: using appropriate touch to convey warmth and connection, such as a light touch on the arm or shoulder.
• Good posture: standing tall, shoulders back, and head held high
• Smiling: showing a genuine, warm smile

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

Behaviors associated with being attractive

Here are some behaviors your attractive character may exhibit.

• Taking care of one's physical health through exercise and healthy eating habits
• Maintaining good personal hygiene and grooming habits
• Being emotionally mature and able to handle conflicts and challenges gracefully
• Cultivating talents or skills that are attractive to others
• Dressing in a way that flatters one's body type and personal style
• Exhibiting confidence and self-assurance in social situations
• Expressing genuine interest in others and actively listening to them
• Being kind, approachable, and friendly to others
• Having a positive attitude and outlook on life

Growth and evolution of attractive characters

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

• An attractive character might learn to see beyond physical appearances and value inner beauty.
• They might find love or friendship with characters who appreciate them for who they are, not just their looks.
• They might face challenges and obstacles that test their character and force them to confront their flaws, biases, and prejudices.
• They might develop a deeper understanding of their own worth beyond their looks and gain confidence in their personality, skills, and talents.
• They might discover new aspects of themselves through their interactions with other characters, especially those who challenge their assumptions or beliefs.
• They might realize that their attractiveness can be a double-edged sword and learn to deal with the pressures and expectations that come with it.
• They might learn to use their attractiveness as a tool to achieve their goals or help others, rather than as a means of manipulation or self-gratification.
• They might go through a transformational experience that changes their outlook on life, priorities, and goals, leading them to seek deeper connections and meaningful relationships.

Stereotypes of attractive characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical attractive character like these examples.

• Being manipulative or dishonest
• Lack of empathy or emotional intelligence
• Being too passive or submissive
• Lack of agency or independence
• Being too perfect or flawless
• Being overly sexualized or objectified
• Shallowness and materialism
• Unrealistic and unhealthy body standards
• Lack of depth and complexity
• Overconfidence and arrogance

By avoiding these stereotypes, writers can create more authentic, relatable, and multidimensional attractive characters that readers will be invested in.

Negatives of being attractive

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

• Being perceived as shallow or lacking in substance
• Facing jealousy or resentment from others
• Feeling pressure to maintain a certain physical standard
• Being judged or stereotyped based on appearance
• Experiencing unwanted attention or advances from others
• Being objectified or treated as a mere physical object
• Struggling with the fear of losing attractiveness with age or changes in appearance

Positives of being attractive

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

• They may be seen as more trustworthy and likable.
• Attractive people may have an easier time making friends and connecting with others.
• Attractive individuals may receive preferential treatment in certain settings, such as job interviews or customer service interactions.
• Attractive people tend to have more social and romantic opportunities.
• Being attractive can boost self-esteem and improve body image.
• They may be perceived as more confident and competent.

Verbal expressions of attractive characters

Here are some potential expressions used by attractive characters.

• Alluring gaze
• Sultry voice
• Charming wit
• Poised posture
• Graceful movements
• Confident demeanor
• Flirtatious banter
• Captivating smile
• Magnetic personality

Relationships of attractive characters

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

• They may have an easier time forming romantic relationships or attracting potential partners.
• They may experience jealousy or envy from those who feel inferior or less attractive.
• Attractive people may be more likely to receive attention and admiration from others.
• Others may make assumptions about their personality or behavior based on their appearance.
• Attractive people may feel pressure to maintain their appearance and may experience negative self-image if they feel they are not living up to societal beauty standards.
• Some people may assume that attractive people are vain or conceited.
• Attractive people may face objectification or unwanted advances from others.

Examples from books of characters who are attractive

• Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Augustus Waters from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collins
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Jamie Fraser from "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon
• Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Edward Cullen from the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer
• Rhett Butler from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell

Writing exercises for writing attractive characters

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

• Write a scene where the character's attractiveness is challenged or questioned. This could be a situation where they are rejected, or where their appearance is criticized. How do they react? What does this reveal about their character?
• Write scenes where the character uses their attractiveness to their advantage. This could be in a social setting, at work, or in a romantic relationship.
• Use dialogue and body language to show how the character's attractiveness affects their interactions with others. Do they use their charm to manipulate people, or do they genuinely care about others?
• Start by creating a character profile and focus on their physical appearance. Think about what makes them attractive to others, and how they feel about their own appearance.
• Use sensory details to show how others react to the character. For example, how do people look at them, what do they say about them, and how do they act around them?
• Consider how the character's attractiveness intersects with other aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, or sexuality. How does this affect how others perceive them?
• Explore the character's inner thoughts and feelings about their attractiveness. Do they feel self-conscious? Confident? How does their attractiveness affect their relationships and interactions with others?