Character Trait: Concerned

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "concerned" refers to a person who is worried about something or someone and feels a sense of responsibility to take action to help or alleviate the situation. A concerned character may be empathetic and compassionate, and may go out of their way to offer support or assistance to others. They may also be sensitive to the needs and feelings of those around them and strive to make a positive impact on their community or the world at large.

Possible causes of being concerned

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

• A strong sense of empathy and concern for others
• A desire for control and predictability in their environment
• A belief in the importance of social responsibility and ethical behavior
• A sense of duty or obligation towards others
• A desire to make a positive impact on the world
• A tendency towards anxiety and worry
• A personal or familial history of mental health issues or addiction
• A history of traumatic or difficult life experiences

For detailed feedback on concerned characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being concerned

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

• Expressing empathy or sympathy for others' situations
• Advocating for causes or issues that impact others' welfare
• Taking time to listen actively to others
• Being conscientious and responsible in fulfilling obligations to others
• Offering support or assistance when someone needs it
• Showing interest in others' lives and well-being
• Checking in on someone who is going through a difficult time
• Asking others how they're doing or feeling
• Taking steps to address or alleviate others' concerns or worries

Attitudes associated with being concerned

You may be able to show concerned through their attitudes.

• Caring
• Perceptive
• Protective
• Compassionate
• Empathetic
• Attentive
• Thoughtful
• Altruistic
• Sensitive

Thoughts and struggles associated with being concerned

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

• May feel overwhelmed by the weight of their concerns and the needs of others
• May struggle with anxiety and stress related to their concerns
• Worries about the well-being of others
• May have a tendency to put others' needs before their own, sometimes to their own detriment
• May feel guilty or ashamed if they are unable to help or solve a problem for someone they care about
• Feels responsible for the safety and happiness of those around them
• Struggles with decision-making, as they fear making the wrong choice could have negative consequences for others

Emotions associated with being concerned

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

• Uncertainty
• Interest
• Care
• Fear
• Worry
• Apprehension
• Anxiety
• Doubt
• Attention

Facial expressions associated with being concerned

Here are some facial expressions your concerned character may exhibit.

• Pursed lips
• A worried or pained expression
• Worry lines on forehead
• A slight frown
• Narrowed eyes
• Furrowed eyebrows
• A look of uncertainty
• Tensed jaw
• A furrowed or wrinkled brow

Body language associated with being concerned

Here is some body language your concerned character may exhibit.

• Leaning in towards the person or thing of concern
• Tightening or pursing of lips
• Sighing or heavy breathing
• Furrowed brow or forehead wrinkles
• Clenched jaw or teeth grinding
• Nervous fidgeting, such as tapping fingers or bouncing knees
• Biting nails or lips
• Wrinkling or rubbing of nose or forehead
• Wide eyes or raised eyebrows
• Crossing arms or legs defensively

For detailed feedback on concerned characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being concerned

Here are some behaviors your concerned character may exhibit.

• Showing interest in others' lives and well-being
• Being conscientious and responsible in fulfilling obligations to others
• Taking steps to address or alleviate others' concerns or worries
• Advocating for causes or issues that impact others' welfare
• Checking in on someone who is going through a difficult time
• Expressing empathy or sympathy for others' situations
• Taking time to listen actively to others
• Asking others how they're doing or feeling
• Offering support or assistance when someone needs it

Growth and evolution of concerned characters

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

• They may learn to let go of their need for control and accept that some things are beyond their control.
• They may learn to adapt to change and embrace new challenges instead of being afraid of them.
• They may learn to prioritize their values and beliefs, and stand up for what they believe in.
• They may learn to become more empathetic and considerate towards others' feelings and perspectives.
• A concerned character may learn to trust others and delegate responsibilities instead of trying to handle everything on their own.
• They may learn to overcome their fears and take risks in order to achieve their goals or help others.
• They may become more assertive and learn to speak up for themselves and others.

Stereotypes of concerned characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical concerned character like these examples.

• Being too self-sacrificing and putting themselves in harm's way unnecessarily
• Being overly emotional and unable to control their reactions or responses
• Focusing solely on negative outcomes and disregarding any potential positive outcomes
• Overbearing and constantly worrying about everything
• Being judgmental or critical of others' choices or actions
• Unable to make decisions or take action without constant reassurance
• Refusing to acknowledge or confront their own fears or anxieties
• Being too easily manipulated or influenced by others' opinions or feelings
• Ignoring their own needs and well-being to focus solely on others

Negatives of being concerned

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

• Being perceived as nagging or annoying by others
• Being indecisive and having difficulty making choices
• Being prone to burnout and exhaustion from constantly caring for others
• Being easily overwhelmed by emotions and stress
• Struggling to relax and enjoy the moment
• Overthinking and worrying excessively about things
• Feeling responsible for other people's problems and taking on too much
• Being overly cautious and hesitant to take risks

Positives of being concerned

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

• Concerned characters are often good listeners and are able to offer support and comfort to those in need.
• Being concerned shows that a character is empathetic and cares about others.
• A character who is concerned may be more likely to notice when something is wrong and take steps to address it.
• Concerned characters may be more attuned to their own emotions and the emotions of others, leading to deeper relationships and more meaningful connections.
• It can motivate a character to take action and find solutions to problems.

Verbal expressions of concerned characters

Here are some potential expressions used by concerned characters.

• "I can tell something's bothering you."
• "I care about you and your well-being."
• "Are you okay?"
• "Are you sure everything's alright?"
• "Do you need any help?"
• "Let me know if there's anything I can do."
• "I'm worried about you."
• "I'm here for you."
• "What's wrong?"

Relationships of concerned characters

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

• Empathetic: They might be highly attuned to the feelings and emotions of others, often taking on their pain as their own.
• Overprotective: They might try to shield their loved ones from harm, often to the point of being controlling or smothering.
• Interdependent: They might rely heavily on others for their own well-being, often seeking out relationships where they can be needed and useful.
• Supportive: They might be a great source of encouragement and motivation for others, offering praise and recognition for their achievements.
• Codependent: They might have an unhealthy attachment to others, often taking responsibility for their loved ones' problems and feeling guilty if they can't fix them.
• Judgmental: They might be critical of others, often imposing their own standards and expectations onto them.
• Caregiving: They might take on the role of caretaker or nurturer, offering support and assistance to those in need.
• Enmeshed: They might have a blurred sense of boundaries, often becoming enmeshed in others' lives and sacrificing their own needs and desires.
• Meddling: They might involve themselves in other people's affairs, offering unsolicited advice or interfering in others' lives.

Examples from books of characters who are concerned

• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Ponyboy Curtis from "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton
• Winston Smith from "1984" by George Orwell
• Frodo Baggins from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Writing exercises for writing concerned characters

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

• Give your character a moral dilemma to deal with. Show how their concern for doing the right thing influences their decision-making process.
• Show your character taking action to address their concern. This could be anything from volunteering at a local charity to organizing a protest march.
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a problem that they feel strongly about. Show their concern through their actions and dialogue.
• Consider your character's body language when they are concerned. Do they pace back and forth, wring their hands, or furrow their brow? Include these physical cues in your writing to show their level of concern.
• Write a letter or journal entry from your character's perspective expressing their concern about a particular issue. This can help you get inside their head and understand their motivations.
• Start by identifying the source of your character's concern. What are they worried about? Is it a personal issue, a societal issue, or a global issue?
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who disagrees with them about a particular issue. Show how your character's concern for the issue affects their ability to communicate effectively.