Character Trait: Dry

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Dry" is often used to describe a person who has a sarcastic, witty, or sardonic sense of humor. Someone with a dry personality may have a deadpan delivery, using understated language or irony to make humorous observations. This trait can also refer to a person who is unemotional or detached in their demeanor and communication style, often appearing aloof or distant.

Possible causes of being dry

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

• Lack of emotional expression or openness
• Cultural or societal influences that place value on stoicism or restraint
• Preference for facts and details over feelings and emotions
• Tendency to be overly logical or analytical
• Difficulty connecting with others on an emotional level
• Tendency to be serious or reserved in social situations
• Lack of humor or playfulness
• Difficulty letting loose or being spontaneous
• Past experiences that have led to a guarded or closed-off personality

Behaviors associated with being dry

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

• Focusing on facts and logic rather than feelings
• Preferring solitude or small groups of people
• Being highly organized and methodical
• Speaking in a monotone voice
• Having a serious or humorless demeanor
• Avoiding emotional expression
• Having a strong sense of duty and responsibility
• Being analytical and detail-oriented
• Having difficulty empathizing with others' emotions

Attitudes associated with being dry

You may be able to show dry through their attitudes.

• Reserved
• Critical
• Serious
• Detached
• Cynical
• Pessimistic
• Unimpressed
• Unemotional
• Aloof

Thoughts and struggles associated with being dry

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

• Dry characters may have a tendency to withdraw from social situations, preferring to spend time alone with their thoughts rather than engaging with others.
• Dry characters may be perceived as unemotional or lacking in empathy, but in reality, they may simply have a different way of processing and expressing their emotions.
• They may struggle with vulnerability and opening up to others, and may come across as aloof or distant as a result.
• Dry characters may struggle with expressing their emotions openly and may have trouble connecting with others on an emotional level.
• They may value logic and reason above all else, and often prioritize their thoughts and ideas over their own feelings or the feelings of others.
• Dry characters may be introspective and reflective, spending a lot of time thinking about their own thoughts and feelings, but may struggle to connect with others who don't share their analytical mindset.
• They may also struggle with making decisions based on their emotions, often second-guessing themselves and relying on logic and reason to guide their choices instead.

Emotions associated with being dry

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

• Lifeless
• Monotonous
• Indifference
• Uninspired
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Boredom
• Mundane
• Apathy
• Tedious

Facial expressions associated with being dry

Here are some facial expressions your dry character may exhibit.

• Minimal or no facial movement
• Lack of eye contact
• Minimal or no smiling
• Frowning or scowling
• Squinted or narrowed eyes
• Pressed lips
• Furrowed brow
• Tight-lipped smile
• Raised eyebrows in a skeptical or disapproving manner

Body language associated with being dry

Here is some body language your dry character may exhibit.

• Lack of facial expressions
• Not showing enthusiasm or excitement
• Speaking in a monotone voice
• Avoiding physical touch or contact
• Stiff posture
• Slow or deliberate movements
• Rarely smiling or laughing
• Keeping a distance from others
• Minimal eye contact

Behaviors associated with being dry

Here are some behaviors your dry character may exhibit.

• Preferring solitude or small groups of people
• Being analytical and detail-oriented
• Avoiding emotional expression
• Being highly organized and methodical
• Having a serious or humorless demeanor
• Having difficulty empathizing with others' emotions
• Speaking in a monotone voice
• Focusing on facts and logic rather than feelings
• Having a strong sense of duty and responsibility

Growth and evolution of dry characters

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

• Learn to open up and express their emotions
• Find a new passion or interest that sparks their creativity and imagination
• Take risks and step out of their comfort zone
• Learn to value the importance of teamwork and collaboration
• Overcome a fear or obstacle that has been holding them back
• Learn to trust others and build relationships
• Develop a sense of humor or learn to appreciate humor in others
• Face their flaws and work towards self-improvement
• Develop empathy and understanding towards others

Stereotypes of dry characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical dry character like these examples.

• Monotonous
• Unmotivated
• Dull
• Uninspired
• Unexpressive
• Boring
• Unimaginative
• Emotionless
• Uninterested

Negatives of being dry

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

• Dryness can also lead to a lack of creativity or imagination, as individuals may struggle to think outside of the box or come up with unique ideas.
• The tendency towards logic and rationality can sometimes result in a lack of intuition or gut instincts, which can be important in certain situations.
• Dry individuals may come across as unemotional or indifferent, which can make it difficult for others to connect with them emotionally.
• They may struggle to express their own emotions or empathize with others, leading to a lack of depth in relationships.

Positives of being dry

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

• Dry characters are often level-headed and rational in their decision-making.
• Dry characters can be seen as mature and responsible, making them good leaders or mentors.
• They can be good listeners and observers, picking up on details that others might miss.
• They can be reliable and consistent, sticking to their goals and commitments.
• Dry characters can be introspective and reflective, leading to personal growth and self-awareness.
• They tend to be low-maintenance and don't require a lot of attention or emotional energy.
• They have a good sense of self-control and can resist temptations or distractions.

Verbal expressions of dry characters

Here are some potential expressions used by dry characters.

• Monotone voice
• Fewer words than necessary
• Fewer rhetorical questions or hypothetical scenarios
• Direct communication without small talk or pleasantries
• Minimal use of adjectives or descriptive language
• Lack of emotional expression
• Emphasis on facts and figures over personal anecdotes or stories
• Short, concise sentences
• Lack of inflection

Relationships of dry characters

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

• They may struggle with intimacy in romantic relationships.
• They may have difficulty expressing their emotions or empathizing with others.
• They may avoid conflict and confrontation in relationships, leading to passive-aggressive behavior.
• They may come across as distant or aloof in social situations.
• They may have a preference for solitary activities or hobbies.
• They may be seen as insensitive or lacking in social skills.
• Dry people may struggle to form deep emotional connections with others.

Examples from books of characters who are dry

• Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson
• Severus Snape from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Howard Roark from "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Writing exercises for writing dry characters

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

• Create a character who is highly analytical and logical, and explore how their thought processes differ from those of more emotional characters.
• Write a character who has difficulty expressing themselves verbally, and explore how they communicate through body language and other nonverbal cues.
• Create a character who is highly skilled at compartmentalizing their emotions, and explore the potential consequences of this approach to life.
• Write a scene from the perspective of a character who is unemotional and detached, focusing on their observations of the world around them.
• Consider how a character's lack of emotional expression might impact their relationships with others, and write a scene that highlights this dynamic.
• Practice writing dialogue that is straightforward and to the point, without unnecessary embellishments or emotional flourishes.
• Write a scene in which a character is confronted with an emotional situation, and explore how they react (or don't react) to it.