Character Trait: Autonomous

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait autonomous refers to a person's ability to act independently and make decisions without being influenced by others. An autonomous person is self-sufficient, self-governing, and able to take responsibility for their actions. They have a strong sense of self and are not easily swayed by external pressures or opinions. They are often able to think critically and problem-solve on their own, and they value their own opinions and beliefs. Overall, autonomy is an important trait for a character to possess, as it can make them more interesting, complex, and relatable to readers.

Possible causes of being autonomous

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

• A tendency to resist external influence or authority
• A high level of self-confidence and self-assuredness
• A need for personal space and privacy
• A strong sense of independence and self-reliance
• A preference for solitude or independence in social situations
• An innate desire for control and decision-making power
• A desire to set and achieve individual goals and aspirations

For detailed feedback on autonomous characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being autonomous

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

• Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively
• Taking responsibility for one's own actions
• Evaluating and reflecting on one's own performance
• Communicating assertively and effectively
• Adapting to change and uncertainty
• Seeking out information and resources to achieve desired outcomes
• Setting personal goals and objectives
• Making decisions independently

Attitudes associated with being autonomous

You may be able to show autonomous through their attitudes.

• Control
• Initiative
• Willpower
• Responsibility
• Empowerment
• Self-governance
• Self-reliance
• Confidence
• Freedom
• Self-sufficiency
• Independence
• Self-direction
• Decisiveness
• Accountability

Thoughts and struggles associated with being autonomous

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

• Balancing personal freedom with societal expectations and responsibilities
• Striving for self-improvement and growth, but also resisting change and conformity
• Struggling with a desire for control and a fear of vulnerability and reliance on others
• Navigating complex relationships, as autonomy can sometimes create distance or conflict with others
• Questioning the validity of authority and rules, and challenging the status quo
• Being self-motivated and goal-oriented, but sometimes lacking direction or purpose
• Embracing independence while feeling conflicted about the consequences of one's actions
• Dealing with feelings of loneliness and disconnection, while also valuing solitude and introspection
• Feeling a sense of isolation and detachment from others while valuing personal space and autonomy

Emotions associated with being autonomous

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

• Self-motivated
• Self-determined
• Self-reliant
• Self-sufficient
• Independent
• Self-governing
• Empowered
• Self-directed
• Confident

Facial expressions associated with being autonomous

Here are some facial expressions your autonomous character may exhibit.

• A firm jawline and straight posture
• A raised eyebrow or quizzical expression when challenged
• A lack of visible nervousness or fidgeting
• A firm, steady gaze
• A slight smile or smirk indicating confidence
• Minimal facial movement when listening
• A relaxed, neutral expression

Body language associated with being autonomous

Here is some body language your autonomous character may exhibit.

• Displaying a sense of independence and self-sufficiency
• Being comfortable with silence and pausing before speaking
• Appearing unflappable in the face of challenges or criticism
• Demonstrating a relaxed and calm demeanor
• Making direct eye contact
• Standing or sitting up straight and tall
• Speaking in a clear and confident tone
• Taking up space and appearing comfortable in their surroundings
• Using gestures that emphasize their points

For detailed feedback on autonomous characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being autonomous

Here are some behaviors your autonomous character may exhibit.

• Taking responsibility for one's own actions
• Making decisions independently
• Setting personal goals and objectives
• Evaluating and reflecting on one's own performance
• Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively
• Seeking out information and resources to achieve desired outcomes
• Communicating assertively and effectively
• Adapting to change and uncertainty

Growth and evolution of autonomous characters

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

• Develop stronger relationships with others based on mutual respect and trust, rather than dependence or neediness
• Learn to trust their own instincts and make decisions based on their own values and beliefs
• Become more self-reliant and less dependent on others for guidance or validation
• Become more resilient and adaptable, able to handle unexpected setbacks or changes in circumstances
• Take more risks and pursue their goals with greater determination and focus
• Develop a stronger sense of self and purpose, and become more confident in their abilities
• Learn to overcome obstacles and challenges on their own, without relying on outside help

Stereotypes of autonomous characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical autonomous character like these examples.

• Superpowered or hyper-intelligent characters who are too perfect and lack flaws or weaknesses
• Emotionless robots or machines without any personality
• Characters who are overly aggressive or violent without any clear motivations or reasons for their behavior
• Characters with a single-minded focus on their programming or mission, without any other interests or motivations
• Characters who lack empathy or understanding of human emotions and relationships
• Characters lacking agency or free will, merely following orders

Negatives of being autonomous

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

• Can become isolated from others
• May struggle with accepting help or guidance from others
• Can become stubborn or resistant to change
• Can become overwhelmed with decision-making and responsibility
• May struggle with delegating tasks or working in a team
• Can become overly self-reliant and dismissive of others' opinions
• May struggle with maintaining work-life balance

Positives of being autonomous

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

• Autonomy allows individuals to have control over their own lives and decisions.
• Autonomy can lead to increased motivation and productivity as individuals are empowered to take ownership of their work.
• It fosters independence and self-sufficiency.
• Autonomy can lead to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction as individuals are able to pursue their own goals and passions.
• It encourages creativity and innovation as individuals are free to think and act in their own unique ways.
• It promotes accountability as individuals are responsible for the outcomes of their actions.

Verbal expressions of autonomous characters

Here are some potential expressions used by autonomous characters.

• "I am self-sufficient"
• "I am self-directed"
• "I can handle this on my own"
• "I am in control of my own life"
• "I trust myself to make the right decision"
• "I don't need anyone's help"
• "I prefer to work independently"
• "I make my own choices"
• "I take full responsibility for my actions"

Relationships of autonomous characters

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

• They may have a strong sense of individuality, and may resist pressure to conform to societal norms or expectations.
• They may have difficulty with authority figures or hierarchies, and may prefer to work in environments where everyone has equal power and autonomy.
• They may prefer to work alone rather than in groups, and may feel frustrated by having to rely on others to achieve their goals.
• They may be highly self-sufficient and self-reliant, and may feel uncomfortable asking for help or support from others.
• They may have difficulty with intimacy and vulnerability, and may struggle to open up emotionally to others.
• They may have a strong sense of personal boundaries, and may be quick to assert themselves if they feel that their autonomy is being threatened.
• They may value their independence and autonomy above all else, sometimes to the point of putting distance between themselves and others.

Examples from books of characters who are autonomous

• Tyrion Lannister from George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series
• Offred from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale"
• Holly Golightly from Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
• Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"
• Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye"
• Ignatius J. Reilly from John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces"
• Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
• Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games"
• Lisbeth Salander from Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Writing exercises for writing autonomous characters

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

• Show the character pursuing their passions or interests, even if they are unconventional or unpopular.
• Show the character taking charge of a situation and leading others towards a common goal.
• Create a scenario in which the character must confront their fears or face a challenge that they have been avoiding.
• Write a scene in which the character stands up for what they believe in, even if it means going against the majority.
• Write a scene in which the character stands up for themselves or someone else against a powerful authority figure.
• Write a scene in which the character takes a risk or pursues a goal that others might consider foolish or impractical.
• Create a scenario in which the character is faced with a problem that they must solve on their own, without any help or guidance from others.
• Create a situation in which the character must make a difficult choice that goes against the wishes of their loved ones or the expectations of society.
• Write a scene in which the character makes a bold decision without seeking anyone else's input or approval.