Character Trait: Consistent

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Consistent refers to a person's ability to act or behave in a predictable and reliable manner. A consistent person follows through on their commitments and promises, and their actions are in line with their words. They are dependable and trustworthy, and others can count on them to show up and do what they say they will do. Consistency is an important trait in building trust and maintaining strong relationships with others.

Possible causes of being consistent

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

• Personal choices and decisions
• Inherited traits from parents or ancestors
• Traumatic experiences or mental health conditions
• Spiritual or philosophical beliefs
• Habits and routines
• Cultural or societal norms and expectations
• Early childhood experiences and upbringing
• Environmental factors, such as education, social interactions, and life events
• Genetics and brain chemistry

For detailed feedback on consistent characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being consistent

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

• Following through with plans and commitments
• Being reliable and dependable
• Keeping promises and meeting deadlines
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic and discipline
• Sticking to a routine or schedule
• Avoiding sudden changes or fluctuations in behavior or performance
• Maintaining a certain level of quality or standards

Attitudes associated with being consistent

You may be able to show consistent through their attitudes.

• Reliable
• Steady
• Predictable
• Trustworthy
• Persistent
• Dependable
• Dedicated
• Committed
• Stable

Thoughts and struggles associated with being consistent

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

• They may struggle with change or unexpected situations that disrupt their sense of consistency.
• They may struggle with finding a balance between consistency and flexibility/adaptability.
• They may be perceived as reliable and trustworthy by others.
• They may have a tendency to be rigid or inflexible in their thinking and decision-making.
• They may feel a sense of guilt or shame if they break their consistency.
• They may feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from maintaining their consistency.
• A consistent character is predictable in their actions and behavior.
• They often have a strong sense of routine and stability in their lives.
• They may have a fear of failure or making mistakes that could disrupt their consistency.

Emotions associated with being consistent

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

• Dependability
• Commitment
• Endurance
• Stability
• Reliability
• Predictability
• Dedication
• Persistence
• Steadfastness

Facial expressions associated with being consistent

Here are some facial expressions your consistent character may exhibit.

• A confident and assured demeanor
• A lack of sudden shifts or changes in expression
• A composed and collected appearance
• A calm and steady expression
• A hint of a smile that shows contentment
• A level gaze that conveys sincerity and stability
• A focused and determined look

Body language associated with being consistent

Here is some body language your consistent character may exhibit.

• Displaying a calm and collected demeanor
• Avoiding fidgeting or nervous ticks
• Keeping a relaxed posture
• Making smooth and deliberate movements
• Speaking with clarity and confidence
• Having a consistent tone of voice
• Maintaining steady eye contact
• Sticking to a routine or schedule

For detailed feedback on consistent characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being consistent

Here are some behaviors your consistent character may exhibit.

• Avoiding sudden changes or fluctuations in behavior or performance
• Maintaining a certain level of quality or standards
• Following through with plans and commitments
• Sticking to a routine or schedule
• Being reliable and dependable
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic and discipline
• Keeping promises and meeting deadlines

Growth and evolution of consistent characters

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

• A consistent character might develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their motivations over time.
• Consistent characters may also become more empathetic towards others and learn to appreciate different perspectives.
• They may learn to adapt to new situations or challenges while still staying true to their core values.
• They may develop new skills or strengths that help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Stereotypes of consistent characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical consistent character like these examples.

• The "manic pixie dream girl" who exists solely to inspire the male protagonist
• The "villainous foreigner" who is portrayed as evil simply because of their nationality or ethnicity
• The "stoic and emotionless" character who lacks any depth or complexity
• The "angry black woman" or other harmful stereotypes based on race, gender, or sexuality
• The "damsel in distress" who always needs saving
• The "token minority" who is only included to check a diversity box and lacks any real personality or story arc

Remember, characters should be complex and nuanced, not one-dimensional stereotypes. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can create more realistic and engaging consistent characters.

Negatives of being consistent

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

• It may cause a person to become overly focused on rules or routines at the expense of creativity and spontaneity
• It can lead to rigidity and inflexibility in thinking and behavior
• It may prevent a person from being open to new experiences and ideas
• It can make a person resistant to change, even when change is necessary
• It can create a sense of predictability and monotony that can be boring or frustrating

Positives of being consistent

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

• Enhances personal and professional accountability
• Fosters a sense of discipline and self-control
• Helps establish good habits and routines
• Can lead to increased productivity and efficiency
• Builds trust and credibility with others
• Improves decision-making skills and reduces stress and anxiety
• Creates a sense of reliability and dependability

Verbal expressions of consistent characters

Here are some potential expressions used by consistent characters.

• Being reliable and dependable
• Being truthful and sincere in your words
• Always doing what you say you will do
• Demonstrating stability and constancy in your actions
• Sticking to your word and commitments
• Having a clear and coherent message
• Avoiding contradictions and conflicting statements
• Following through on your promises
• Maintaining a steady and predictable behavior

Relationships of consistent characters

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

• They often have strong values and principles that guide their behavior, which can make them a stabilizing force in relationships.
• However, they may struggle with adapting to change or spontaneity, which can be frustrating for more flexible or adventurous individuals.
• Consistent people may have a tendency to stick to routines or habits, which can be comforting for some but may feel restrictive to others.
• They may also have a preference for order and structure, which can clash with those who are more laid-back or disorganized.
• Consistent people tend to be reliable and trustworthy, which can lead to others feeling comfortable relying on them for support or assistance.

Examples from books of characters who are consistent

• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle

Writing exercises for writing consistent characters

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

• Write a scene where the character is tested in their consistency. For example, if the character is consistently honest, write a scene where they are tempted to lie and must make a difficult decision.
• Consider how the character's consistent trait affects their relationships with others. Write a scene where the character must confront a friend or family member about their behavior related to this trait.
• Use sensory details to show the character's consistent trait in action. For example, if the character is consistently punctual, describe their watch or the clock they always check to reinforce this trait.
• Start by identifying the consistent trait you want your character to display. Write it down and keep it in mind as you work on the character development.
• Think about the character's backstory and how it has influenced this trait. Write a scene or a short story that highlights this influence.
• Experiment with different scenarios that would challenge the character's consistency. This will help to flesh out the character's personality and make them more dynamic.
• Create a dialogue between the character and another character who has the opposite trait. This can help to highlight the character's consistency even more.