Character Trait: Credible

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait credible is defined as being believable or trustworthy. A character who possesses credibility is someone who is honest, reliable, and has a reputation for being truthful. This trait is essential for creating characters that readers can connect with and care about, as it allows them to believe in the character's motivations and actions. A credible character is one that readers can rely on to act in a way that is consistent with their personality and values.

Possible causes of being credible

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

• Consistency in actions and words
• Being accountable for one's actions and taking responsibility for mistakes
• Demonstrating expertise or knowledge in a particular area
• Being confident without being arrogant or dismissive of others' opinions
• Honesty and transparency
• Building trust through genuine relationships and connections with others
• Being open-minded and objective in one's thinking
• Having a strong moral compass and ethical values
• Displaying a track record of reliability and dependability

For detailed feedback on credible characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story developmental critique.

Behaviors associated with being credible

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

• Maintaining a consistent and professional demeanor in all situations
• Building relationships and trust with others through open communication
• Providing evidence or proof to support claims
• Demonstrating expertise or knowledge in a particular area
• Being honest and truthful in words and actions
• Consistently delivering what is promised
• Following through on commitments and meeting deadlines
• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for actions

Attitudes associated with being credible

You may be able to show credible through their attitudes.

• Objectivity
• Honesty and integrity
• Fairness and impartiality
• Transparency
• Empathy and understanding
• Accountability
• Trustworthiness
• Reliability
• Consistency
• Authenticity
• Responsibility
• Respectfulness
• Expertise and knowledge
• Open-mindedness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being credible

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

• Striving for perfection and feeling pressure to meet high standards
• Navigating complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics
• Dealing with fear and uncertainty, but still pushing forward
• Facing obstacles and setbacks that challenge their beliefs and goals
• Balancing their own values and beliefs with societal expectations
• Self-doubt and questioning their own abilities
• Feeling conflicted about their own emotions and desires
• Struggling with ethical dilemmas and making difficult choices

Emotions associated with being credible

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

• Honesty
• Authenticity
• Consistency
• Reliability
• Integrity
• Trustworthiness
• Transparency
• Competence
• Confidence

Facial expressions associated with being credible

Here are some facial expressions your credible character may exhibit.

• Steady eye contact
• Minimal fidgeting or nervous tics
• Controlled body language, with few extraneous movements
• Minimal vocal fillers (like "uh" or "um")
• Minimal exaggeration or embellishment in speech or actions
• Relaxed, open facial expression
• Clear and confident enunciation

Body language associated with being credible

Here is some body language your credible character may exhibit.

• Using gestures to emphasize points
• Speaking clearly and confidently
• Matching verbal and nonverbal communication
• Avoiding defensive or closed-off postures, such as crossing arms or legs
• Avoiding fidgeting or nervous movements
• Standing or sitting up straight
• Maintaining eye contact while speaking
• Using a calm and measured tone of voice
• Being attentive and engaged in conversations or interactions

For detailed feedback on credible characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story developmental critique.

Behaviors associated with being credible

Here are some behaviors your credible character may exhibit.

• Maintaining a consistent and professional demeanor in all situations
• Providing evidence or proof to support claims
• Demonstrating expertise or knowledge in a particular area
• Following through on commitments and meeting deadlines
• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for actions
• Building relationships and trust with others through open communication
• Being honest and truthful in words and actions
• Consistently delivering what is promised

Growth and evolution of credible characters

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

• Learning to trust others and rely on them for support
• Becoming more empathetic and understanding towards others' perspectives and feelings
• Letting go of past traumas or emotional baggage to move forward
• Developing a new skill or talent that helps them achieve their goals
• Overcoming a flaw or weakness that has been holding them back
• Embracing their true identity or purpose and finding fulfillment in it
• Facing and overcoming a significant challenge or obstacle
• Changing their perspective or beliefs based on new experiences or information
• Learning to forgive themselves or others for past mistakes

Stereotypes of credible characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical credible character like these examples.

• The "wise old mentor" who always has the answers and never makes mistakes
• The "damsel in distress" who is constantly in need of rescue
• The "nerd" or "geek" who is socially awkward and has no other defining traits
• The "Mary Sue" or "Gary Stu" character who is perfect in every way
• The "token minority" who is only included for the sake of diversity without any real depth or development
• The "jock" or "cheerleader" who is shallow and one-dimensional
• The "tortured artist" who is consumed by their own angst and misery
• The "villain for the sake of being evil" who has no depth or complexity

By avoiding these stereotypes, writers can create more well-rounded and believable characters that readers can truly connect with.

Negatives of being credible

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

• Credible characters may struggle with taking risks or stepping outside of their comfort zone.
• Being too credible may make a character seem predictable or boring.
• If a character's credibility is based solely on their expertise or knowledge in a specific field, they may lack depth or complexity in other areas.
• A highly credible character may come across as rigid or inflexible in their beliefs or actions.

Positives of being credible

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

• Credibility helps people persuade and influence others.
• Being credible earns trust and respect from others.
• Credibility enhances one's reputation and authority.
• Credibility increases one's chances of success in personal and professional relationships.
• Credible individuals are seen as reliable and dependable.
• Credibility fosters better communication and collaboration.

Verbal expressions of credible characters

Here are some potential expressions used by credible characters.

• "I am respected in my field by my peers."
• "Here are the facts to support my claim."
• "I have conducted extensive research on this topic."
• "I have been recognized for my expertise by [insert reputable source]."
• "I have worked with [insert high-profile clients or organizations]."
• "I have a track record of success in this area."
• "I have firsthand experience with this."
• "I have a deep understanding of the subject matter."

Relationships of credible characters

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

• They are fair and just in their interactions, which promotes equality and fairness.
• They are supportive and encouraging of others, which helps build a positive and collaborative environment.
• They are honest and transparent, which helps build trust and respect with others.
• They listen actively and empathetically, which creates deeper connections and understanding with others.
• They are respectful of others' opinions and perspectives, even if they disagree, which fosters open and productive discussions.
• They are reliable and follow through on their commitments, which makes others feel confident in their abilities.
• They communicate clearly and effectively, which helps prevent misunderstandings and conflict.
• They are accountable for their actions and take responsibility for their mistakes, which shows humility and integrity.

Examples from books of characters who are credible

• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Jane Eyre from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Harry Potter from the series by J.K. Rowling
• Huckleberry Finn from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Sherlock Holmes from the series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

These characters are all memorable, complex, and well-developed, making them great examples for writers to study and learn from.

Writing exercises for writing credible characters

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

• Give the character a profession or area of expertise that requires credibility. For example, a lawyer, doctor, or scientist. Use this profession to show how the character's credibility is important in their work and interactions with others.
• Give the character opportunities to demonstrate their integrity. For example, have them make a difficult ethical decision that shows their commitment to doing the right thing, even when it's not easy.
• Start by defining the character's values and beliefs. What motivates them? What principles do they live by? Use this as a foundation for the character's actions and decisions throughout the story.
• Show the character being honest and transparent in their communication with others. Have them admit when they don't know something, rather than pretending to have all the answers. Show them following through on their promises and commitments.
• Show the character earning the trust and respect of others. Have other characters seek out their opinion or advice, or come to them for help in difficult situations.
• Create a backstory that explains why the character is credible. Have they overcome a difficult challenge in the past that required them to demonstrate their credibility? Use this backstory to inform the character's present actions and attitudes.