Character Trait: Caring

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Caring is a character trait that refers to a person's ability to empathize and sympathize with others, and to act compassionately towards them. A caring person is kind, considerate, and attentive to the needs and feelings of others, and is willing to provide support and assistance when needed. This trait is often associated with warmth, generosity, and a desire to help others, and can be expressed in a variety of ways, such as through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply by being present and attentive.

Possible causes of being caring

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

• They have a natural sensitivity and emotional intelligence that allows them to understand and connect with others' feelings.
• They have been inspired by role models or mentors who have demonstrated the importance of caring for others.
• Their upbringing and family environment emphasized kindness, empathy, and compassion.
• They have a career or volunteer work that involves helping others, which has strengthened their caring nature.
• They have a strong personal value system that prioritizes helping and supporting others.
• They have engaged in personal growth and self-reflection that has helped them cultivate a more caring and compassionate outlook on life.
• They have experienced difficult life events that have made them more aware of the struggles of others and more inclined to help them.

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

Behaviors associated with being caring

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

• Providing emotional support
• Being considerate of others' well-being
• Being patient and forgiving
• Showing empathy and understanding
• Being kind and compassionate towards others
• Offering help without expecting anything in return
• Putting others' needs before your own
• Listening actively to others
• Respecting others' feelings and opinions

Attitudes associated with being caring

You may be able to show caring through their attitudes.

• Acknowledging and appreciating others' feelings
• Going the extra mile to help others
• Showing concern and offering support
• Empathy towards others
• Compassion for those in need
• Demonstrating kindness and generosity
• Being patient and tolerant
• Prioritizing the well-being of others
• Willingness to listen and understand

Thoughts and struggles associated with being caring

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

• Feeling guilty when they can't help someone
• Tendency to take on too much and burn out
• Feeling overwhelmed by the emotions of others
• Struggling to set boundaries and say "no"
• Desire to make a positive impact on the world
• Constantly putting others before themselves
• Feeling responsible for the well-being of those around them
• Fear of abandonment or rejection
• Difficulty expressing their own needs and desires

Emotions associated with being caring

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

• Generosity
• Kindness
• Supportive
• Understanding
• Gentle
• Loving
• Forgiving
• Thoughtfulness
• Compassion
• Empathy
• Selflessness
• Affectionate
• Nurturing
• Patient

Facial expressions associated with being caring

Here are some facial expressions your caring character may exhibit.

• Eyes that seem to radiate kindness
• Warm gaze
• Soft smile
• Slight pucker of the lips
• Relaxed facial muscles
• Slightly raised eyebrows
• Gentle nod
• Tilted head
• Softening of the forehead wrinkles
• A sincere, open-mouthed grin

Body language associated with being caring

Here is some body language your caring character may exhibit.

• Speaking in a gentle and comforting tone
• Smiling
• Asking open-ended questions to encourage the person to open up
• Touching the person's arm or shoulder
• Nodding to show active listening
• Showing empathy through facial expressions
• Leaning in towards the person
• Making eye contact and maintaining it
• Offering a reassuring hug

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

Behaviors associated with being caring

Here are some behaviors your caring character may exhibit.

• Being kind and compassionate towards others
• Putting others' needs before your own
• Listening actively to others
• Providing emotional support
• Being patient and forgiving
• Offering help without expecting anything in return
• Showing empathy and understanding
• Being considerate of others' well-being
• Respecting others' feelings and opinions

Growth and evolution of caring characters

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

• Recognizing that caring for someone might involve tough love or making difficult decisions for their well-being
• Overcoming personal biases or prejudices to care for someone who they might have previously ignored or avoided
• Learning to express their care for others more openly
• Realizing that caring for oneself is just as important as caring for others
• Learning to forgive others and themselves for past mistakes, and moving forward with a renewed sense of care and compassion
• Understanding the limits of their caring nature and learning to say no or set boundaries when necessary

Stereotypes of caring characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical caring character like these examples.

• Overly emotional or sentimental behavior that lacks depth or complexity
• Being overly nurturing to the point of smothering or controlling others
• Being too predictable or formulaic, lacking any surprises or complexity in their actions or decisions
• Being too perfect or flawless, without any flaws or weaknesses
• Being selfless to the point of being unrealistic or martyr-like
• Being too passive or submissive, lacking agency or the ability to make choices

Negatives of being caring

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

• Can experience burnout from constantly putting the needs of others before their own
• Can struggle with making tough decisions that may not align with the well-being of someone they care for
• Can be taken advantage of by others who do not reciprocate the same level of care
• Can become overly invested in the well-being of others, neglecting self-care and personal boundaries

Positives of being caring

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

• Caring individuals are great at building and maintaining strong relationships, as they are attentive to the needs and feelings of others.
• Caring individuals are great listeners and offer valuable emotional support to those around them.
• They are compassionate and often go out of their way to help those in need.
• Caring individuals are empathetic and understanding, which allows them to connect with others on a deeper level.
• They are selfless and prioritize the well-being of others above their own needs.

Verbal expressions of caring characters

Here are some potential expressions used by caring characters.

• Apologizing and asking for forgiveness when necessary
• Expressing empathy and understanding
• Asking how someone is doing and listening attentively to their response
• Sharing personal stories and experiences to connect with others
• Offering words of encouragement or support
• Using kind and gentle language
• Giving compliments or recognition for a job well done
• Being polite and courteous
• Showing appreciation and gratitude

Relationships of caring characters

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

• In relationships, caring people may prioritize open communication and actively listen to others' needs and concerns.
• Caring individuals may also have a tendency to be protective towards those they care for, often going out of their way to ensure their safety and well-being.
• They are often empathetic and sensitive to the emotions of others, and may offer comfort and reassurance during times of distress.
• They may also be inclined to forgive easily and offer second chances, as they value the importance of maintaining strong connections with others.
• Caring people tend to be nurturing and supportive towards others, often putting the needs of others before their own.

Examples from books of characters who are caring

• Miss Honey from "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Dumbledore from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Marmee March from "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Hagrid from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Augustus Waters from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Writing exercises for writing caring characters

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

• Write a scene where your character comforts someone who is going through a difficult time.
• Describe a situation where your character goes above and beyond to make someone else's day better.
• Describe a situation where your character puts the needs of others before their own.
• Write a dialogue where your character actively listens to someone who needs to talk.
• Write a dialogue where your character offers words of encouragement and support to a friend or family member.
• Describe a moment where your character goes out of their way to help someone in need.
• Write a scene where your character takes care of someone who is sick or injured.
• Write a scene where your character volunteers their time to help a charity or community organization.
• Describe a moment where your character shows empathy towards someone who is struggling.