Character Trait: Banal

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait banal refers to something that is unoriginal, boring, or lacking in creativity. It describes a person or thing that is dull or commonplace, lacking in freshness or originality. It is often used to describe characters who lack depth or complexity, and whose actions and thoughts are predictable and uninteresting. In writing, banal characters can make a story feel flat and unengaging, so it's important to avoid falling into this trap.

Possible causes of being banal

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

• Lack of self-awareness and introspection
• Lack of creativity and imagination
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Inability to empathize with others or see things from different perspectives
• Limited social interaction and relationships
• Growing up in a restrictive or sheltered environment
• Over-reliance on routine and familiarity
• Lack of exposure to diverse experiences and ideas
• Fear of taking risks or trying new things

For detailed feedback on banal characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's writing feedback tool.

Behaviors associated with being banal

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

• Being predictable and uninteresting
• Avoiding risks or challenges
• Showing little originality or creativity
• Repeating cliched phrases or expressions
• Focusing on superficial or trivial matters
• Lacking depth or complexity
• Ignoring or dismissing new ideas or perspectives
• Sticking to conventional norms and behaviors
• Being forgettable or easily replaceable

Attitudes associated with being banal

You may be able to show banal through their attitudes.

• Resignation to mediocrity
• A lack of creativity or imagination
• A tendency to conform to societal norms and expectations
• A reluctance to take risks or try new things
• A lack of depth or complexity
• A lack of interest in exploring new perspectives or ideas
• Lack of enthusiasm or passion
• A preference for the ordinary or predictable
• A tendency to follow the status quo

Thoughts and struggles associated with being banal

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

• Fear of being forgotten or overlooked
• Tendency to settle for mediocrity or the status quo
• Lack of purpose or direction in life
• Avoidance of risks or challenges due to fear of failure
• Feeling disconnected from others or society as a whole
• Insecurity about one's abilities or talents
• Struggling to find meaning in everyday tasks or experiences
• Feeling unremarkable or ordinary
• Difficulty finding motivation or passion

Emotions associated with being banal

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

• Complacency
• Mundanity
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Predictability
• Dullness
• Boredom
• Unoriginality
• Monotony
• Apathy

Facial expressions associated with being banal

Here are some facial expressions your banal character may exhibit.

• Expressionless or unremarkable facial features
• Monotonous tone of voice
• Lack of interest or curiosity in surroundings or conversation
• Blank or empty facial expression
• Lack of animation or enthusiasm
• Minimal eye contact

Body language associated with being banal

Here is some body language your banal character may exhibit.

• Lack of energy or enthusiasm
• Monotonous tone of voice
• Limited use of space around them
• Lack of eye contact
• Slow movements
• Minimal facial expressions
• Slumped posture
• Limited gestures or movements

For detailed feedback on banal characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's writing feedback tool.

Behaviors associated with being banal

Here are some behaviors your banal character may exhibit.

• Avoiding risks or challenges
• Being predictable and uninteresting
• Focusing on superficial or trivial matters
• Lacking depth or complexity
• Sticking to conventional norms and behaviors
• Repeating cliched phrases or expressions
• Being forgettable or easily replaceable
• Ignoring or dismissing new ideas or perspectives
• Showing little originality or creativity

Growth and evolution of banal characters

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

• Embrace their uniqueness: A banal character may initially try to blend in with the crowd, but as the story progresses, they may learn to embrace their quirks and stand out.
• Stand up for themselves: Banal characters may be used to being pushed around or not speaking up for themselves, but as the story progresses, they may learn to stand up for themselves and assert their needs.
• Learn to be more empathetic: Banal characters may not be very good at understanding others' perspectives or emotions, but through the events of the story, they can learn to be more empathetic and understanding.
• Develop a passion or hobby: Banal characters may not have much going on in their lives initially, but they can grow by finding a new passion or hobby. This can add depth to their character and make them more interesting.
• Overcome their fears: Everyone has fears, and a banal character is no exception. They may start the story hesitant to take risks or confront their fears, but through the course of the story, they may learn to overcome them and become braver.
• Challenge their beliefs: Banal characters may hold certain beliefs or values that are limiting or outdated. As the story unfolds, they may be challenged to reconsider these beliefs and grow in their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Stereotypes of banal characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical banal character like these examples.

• Being too brave or too cowardly
• Being too nice or too mean
• Being too optimistic or too pessimistic
• Being too talkative or too quiet
• Being too smart or too dumb
• Being too loyal or too disloyal.
• Being too perfect or too flawed
• Being too emotional or too stoic
• Being too attractive or too unattractive
• Being too confident or too insecure

Remember, Banal characters can be just as complex and interesting as any other character. Avoiding these stereotypes can help you create more nuanced and realistic characters.

Negatives of being banal

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

• Lack of originality and creativity
• Limited perspectives and narrow-mindedness
• Mediocrity and unremarkableness
• Boredom and monotony
• Conformity to societal norms and expectations
• Inability to stand out or make an impact
• Inability to connect with others on a deeper level
• Uninspired and unfulfilling life experiences
• Lack of depth and complexity in personality and character

Positives of being banal

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

• Being banal allows your character to blend in with the crowd, which can be useful in certain situations.
• Banal characters can provide a strong contrast to more dynamic characters in your story, making them stand out even more.
• Banal characters are often relatable to readers since they represent the average person.
• Banal characters can be used to highlight the mundane aspects of everyday life, which can help ground your story in reality.

Verbal expressions of banal characters

Here are some potential expressions used by banal characters.

• Repetitive or monotonous speech
• Stale or unimaginative dialogue
• Lack of originality or creativity
• Superficial or shallow ideas
• Generic or predictable statements
• Unremarkable or forgettable characters
• Uninspired or dull descriptions
• Trite or uninteresting language
• Overused phrases or clichés

Relationships of banal characters

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

• Banal people tend to have surface-level relationships with others, often lacking depth and emotional connection.
• Banal individuals may be risk-averse and avoid taking chances or trying new things, which can limit the growth and development of relationships.
• They may struggle to empathize with others and understand their perspectives.
• They may prioritize routine and predictability over spontaneity and adventure, which can lead to conflicts with more adventurous partners.
• Banal individuals may also have difficulty expressing their own emotions and thoughts, leading to a lack of intimacy in relationships.
• Banal people may have a tendency to avoid conflict and prioritize harmony over honesty, which can lead to unresolved issues in relationships.
• They may also be prone to conformity and may struggle to assert themselves in relationships, leading to power imbalances or resentment.

Examples from books of characters who are banal

• The nerdy bookworm who is socially awkward and lacks confidence
• The damsel in distress who serves no purpose other than to be rescued
• The ditzy cheerleader who is obsessed with popularity and shopping
• The innocent and naive girl who constantly needs saving by a male hero
• The one-dimensional villain who is evil just for the sake of being evil
• The clueless parent who has no idea what's going on in their child's life
• The stereotypical jock who is only interested in sports and lacks depth
• The greedy businessman who only cares about money and power
• The grumpy old man who hates everyone and everything

Writing exercises for writing banal characters

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

• Think of a mundane task that your character does regularly, such as brushing their teeth or making breakfast. Write a scene where they do this task and try to make it as interesting and entertaining as possible.
• Write a scene where your character is stuck in traffic or commuting on public transportation. Show how they react to the routine and uneventful journey.
• Place your character in a situation where they are forced to wait for an extended period of time, such as in a doctor's waiting room or on a delayed flight. Show how they handle the boredom and monotony of waiting.
• Create a dialogue between your character and a friend or family member where they discuss their daily routine. Show how they feel about their mundane life and if they have any desires for change.
• Have your character interact with a salesperson or customer service representative. Show how they react to the repetitive and often dull conversation.