Character Trait: Bizarre

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "bizarre" refers to behavior or actions that are strange, unconventional, or out of the ordinary. A bizarre character may have unique habits, beliefs, or mannerisms that distinguish them from others, or they may act in unexpected or illogical ways. This trait can add an element of intrigue or humor to a character, but it can also make them difficult to relate to or understand. To write a believable and engaging bizarre character, it's important to consider the motivations behind their behavior and how it fits into the larger narrative.

Possible causes of being bizarre

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

• Social isolation or lack of social skills
• Genetic predisposition or hereditary factors
• Extreme stress or pressure
• Trauma or abuse during childhood or adulthood
• Cultural or societal factors
• Mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• Substance abuse or addiction

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

Behaviors associated with being bizarre

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

• Behaving in an unpredictable or unconventional manner
• Being attracted to the surreal or fantastical
• Thinking outside the box and coming up with unconventional solutions
• Dressing in an eccentric or unusual way
• Having an unconventional or offbeat sense of humor
• Displaying unusual or quirky habits and mannerisms
• Holding strange beliefs or interests
• Pursuing unusual hobbies or interests
• Expressing oneself in a unique or peculiar way

Attitudes associated with being bizarre

You may be able to show bizarre through their attitudes.

• Curiosity
• Playfulness
• Creativity
• Quirkiness
• Nonconformity
• Eccentricity
• Unconventional thinking
• Imagination
• Open-mindedness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bizarre

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

• Having a unique perspective or way of thinking
• Struggling with identity and self-acceptance
• Struggling with control or impulsivity
• Dealing with societal judgement or discrimination
• Wrestling with moral ambiguity or conflicting values
• Questioning their own sanity or reality
• Constantly feeling like an outsider or misunderstood
• Experiencing intense emotions or mood swings
• Feeling isolated or lonely, even in a crowd

Emotions associated with being bizarre

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

• Individuality
• Originality
• Weirdness
• Strangeness
• Peculiarity
• Unconventionality
• Curiosity
• Eccentricity
• Nonconformity
• Outlandishness
• Uniqueness
• Quirkiness
• Abnormality
• Oddity

Facial expressions associated with being bizarre

Here are some facial expressions your bizarre character may exhibit.

• Tongue sticking out or other odd facial contortions
• Unusual or unconventional makeup or face paint
• A crooked or lopsided smile
• Eccentric or unconventional clothing or accessories
• Wide eyes and raised eyebrows
• Unusual facial piercings or jewelry
• Unkempt or wild-looking hair
• Erratic or exaggerated facial movements

Body language associated with being bizarre

Here is some body language your bizarre character may exhibit.

• Twitching or fidgeting movements, like tapping or shaking a foot or hand
• Speaking in a disjointed or nonsensical way, or using unusual vocal inflections
• Avoiding eye contact or staring intensely without blinking
• Awkward or jerky movements, as if the character is disconnected from their body
• Standing or sitting in an unconventional manner, like balancing on one foot or curling up in a ball
• Unusual or exaggerated facial expressions, such as widening the eyes or contorting the mouth
• Repetitive gestures or actions, such as rubbing the same spot over and over or obsessively touching objects
• Making sudden, unexpected movements or noises

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

Behaviors associated with being bizarre

Here are some behaviors your bizarre character may exhibit.

• Holding strange beliefs or interests
• Thinking outside the box and coming up with unconventional solutions
• Dressing in an eccentric or unusual way
• Displaying unusual or quirky habits and mannerisms
• Behaving in an unpredictable or unconventional manner
• Having an unconventional or offbeat sense of humor
• Pursuing unusual hobbies or interests
• Being attracted to the surreal or fantastical
• Expressing oneself in a unique or peculiar way

Growth and evolution of bizarre characters

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

• Confront their fears and overcome them
• Challenge their beliefs and values, leading to a change in perspective
• Develop new skills or abilities to face obstacles
• Learn to trust others and open up emotionally
• Adapt to new environments or situations
• Discover a hidden talent or passion
• Realize the consequences of their actions and make amends
• Forge new relationships or strengthen existing ones
• Overcome a personal flaw or weakness
• Gain a new sense of purpose or direction in life

Stereotypes of bizarre characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bizarre character like these examples.

• Avoid using the character's trait as a cheap plot device or solely for shock value
• Avoid making the character's bizarre trait their entire personality
• Avoid making the character's trait offensive or harmful to marginalized groups
• Avoid making the character's trait the butt of every joke or having other characters constantly make fun of it
• Avoid making the character's trait the only thing that sets them apart from other characters in the story
• Avoid making the character's trait a caricature or exaggerated to the point of being unrealistic

Negatives of being bizarre

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

• Struggling to connect with others on a personal level
• Facing challenges in professional or social situations where conformity is expected
• Being perceived as odd or strange by others
• Facing potential discrimination or prejudice from others
• Being dismissed or underestimated by others due to your unconventional behavior or appearance
• Struggling to find acceptance or validation from society or peers
• Feeling isolated or misunderstood

Positives of being bizarre

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

• It can add a sense of unpredictability and excitement to a story.
• Bizarre characters can be used to challenge societal norms and conventions, leading to interesting commentary and critique.
• Bizarre characters can also be used to inject humor into a story, providing comic relief and lightening the mood.
• Their unconventional behavior can also make them stand out from other characters and make them more interesting to read about.
• Being bizarre can make a character unique and memorable.

Verbal expressions of bizarre characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bizarre characters.

• Using unusual vocabulary or phrases
• Using non sequiturs or tangential remarks
• Making unexpected or irrational statements
• Speaking in a singsong or rhythmic manner
• Speaking in a whisper or a loud, booming voice
• Speaking in a disjointed or fragmented manner
• Repeating certain words or phrases obsessively
• Making obscure references or allusions
• Engaging in wordplay or puns

Relationships of bizarre characters

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

• They may struggle with social norms and struggle to understand or follow expectations in social situations.
• They may also have a tendency to push boundaries or engage in behaviors that others consider inappropriate or uncomfortable.
• Bizarre individuals may be prone to eccentric behavior or interests that others find off-putting or difficult to understand.
• Bizarre people may have difficulty establishing and maintaining close relationships due to their unconventional behavior.
• However, some people may be drawn to the unique perspectives and creativity of bizarre individuals and form close bonds with them.

Examples from books of characters who are bizarre

• Oy the billy-bumbler from "The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• The Cheshire Cat from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar from "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman
• Ignatz Mouse from "Krazy Kat" comics by George Herriman
• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Writing exercises for writing bizarre characters

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

• Write a scene where your character has an unexpected, yet bizarre reaction to a typical situation
• Brainstorm a list of strange or unusual habits or behaviors your character could have
• Imagine your character's personal style and appearance, and fill it with unexpected or outlandish elements
• Imagine your character's home or workspace and fill it with eccentric decorations or items
• Write a conversation where your character's dialogue is filled with strange and nonsensical phrases
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they have such an unconventional worldview
• Write a scene where your character interacts with a mundane object in a bizarre way
• Write a scene where your character's perspective on reality is distorted in a bizarre way
• Create a list of unique physical characteristics or quirks your character could possess