Character Trait: Eager

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Eager describes someone who is enthusiastic and excited about something. It could refer to a person who is eager to learn, eager to please, eager to succeed, or eager to try new experiences. Eager individuals are motivated and driven, and they approach tasks with a positive attitude and a strong desire to achieve their goals. This trait can be a great asset for a character, as it can help them overcome obstacles and succeed in their endeavors. However, it can also lead to impatience and recklessness if not tempered with caution and consideration.

Possible causes of being eager

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

• Cultural or social influences: Depending on the environment in which someone grows up, eagerness may be valued and encouraged as a key to success, or viewed as excessive or even undesirable.
• Personal goals: If someone has a clear idea of what they want to achieve in life, they may be more eager to take action and pursue their dreams.
• Past experiences: Positive experiences in the past, such as receiving praise for being proactive or achieving success through hard work, can reinforce eagerness as a desirable trait.
• Innate personality traits: Some individuals may be born with a naturally curious or inquisitive disposition that drives their eagerness to learn and explore.

Behaviors associated with being eager

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

• Volunteering for tasks or responsibilities
• Being first to respond or take action
• Displaying enthusiasm and passion
• Being proactive and self-motivated
• Expressing a strong desire to learn or improve
• Frequently asking questions or seeking guidance
• Taking on challenges or risks
• Showing determination and persistence
• Initiating conversations or meetings

Attitudes associated with being eager

You may be able to show eager through their attitudes.

• Enthusiasm and positivity towards tasks and goals
• Eagerness to collaborate and contribute to a team
• Anticipation and excitement about possibilities
• Curiosity and inquisitiveness about the world and people
• Willingness to learn and try new things
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations
• Openness to feedback and constructive criticism
• Readiness to take on challenges and responsibilities
• Persistence and determination to achieve desired outcomes

Thoughts and struggles associated with being eager

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

• May struggle with impatience or frustration when things don't move fast enough
• Constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities
• Can be easily inspired or motivated by others
• Can be overly optimistic or idealistic, leading to disappointment when things don't go as planned
• May have a fear of missing out on experiences or opportunities
• May be prone to taking risks or making impulsive decisions
• May struggle with setting realistic goals or boundaries
• Can be competitive and driven to succeed

Emotions associated with being eager

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

• Enthusiasm
• Willingness
• Zeal
• Anticipation
• Eagerness
• Curiosity
• Excitement
• Determination
• Impatience

Facial expressions associated with being eager

Here are some facial expressions your eager character may exhibit.

• Licking or biting lips
• Flared nostrils
• A nodding head
• Clenched fists
• Raised eyebrows
• A big smile
• Wide eyes
• Sweating or blushing
• Leaning forward
• Dilated pupils
• Tapping fingers or fidgeting
• Rapid blinking

Body language associated with being eager

Here is some body language your eager character may exhibit.

• Clenching fists
• Leaning forward
• Fidgeting or tapping fingers or feet
• Widening eyes
• Bouncing on toes
• Smiling broadly
• Talking quickly or interrupting others
• Glancing around or at the clock
• Nodding frequently

Behaviors associated with being eager

Here are some behaviors your eager character may exhibit.

• Expressing a strong desire to learn or improve
• Frequently asking questions or seeking guidance
• Being proactive and self-motivated
• Taking on challenges or risks
• Displaying enthusiasm and passion
• Showing determination and persistence
• Being first to respond or take action
• Initiating conversations or meetings
• Volunteering for tasks or responsibilities

Growth and evolution of eager characters

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

• An eager character may also learn to be more humble and accept criticism or failure as opportunities for growth and improvement.
• An eager character may also learn to be more patient and wait for the right opportunities to come along instead of rushing into things.
• They might learn to listen to others more and take their opinions and perspectives into account before acting.
• They may become more confident in their abilities but also more aware of their limitations and willing to ask for help when needed.
• A character who starts off as overly eager may learn to slow down and think things through more carefully.
• As they gain experience, they may become more discerning and develop a better sense of which opportunities are worth pursuing and which are not.

Stereotypes of eager characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical eager character like these examples.

• Avoid making the Eager character seem desperate or needy, as this can make them seem weak or unappealing.
• Avoid making the Eager character overly enthusiastic to the point of being annoying or obnoxious.
• Avoid making the Eager character seem reckless or impulsive, as this can come across as a lack of thoughtfulness.
• Avoid making the Eager character seem overly competitive or aggressive, as this can make them seem unlikable or unrelatable.
• Avoid making the Eager character seem like a pushover or someone who lacks assertiveness.
• Avoid making the Eager character seem naive or gullible.

Negatives of being eager

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

• The intense desire to please others can lead to neglecting one's own needs and priorities.
• Eager people may struggle with boundaries, taking on too much and spreading themselves too thin.
• Over-eagerness can make a person appear pushy or annoying to others.
• Eager individuals may struggle to wait for opportunities or outcomes, leading to impatience and frustration.

Positives of being eager

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

• Eager characters tend to have a positive outlook on life, which can attract others and create a sense of community.
• It can inspire characters to take risks and try new things, leading to personal growth and development.
• Eagerness can drive characters to pursue their goals with passion and enthusiasm.
• It can create a sense of purpose and drive, as characters have a clear vision of what they want to achieve.
• It can lead to a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment when characters achieve their goals.
• Eagerness can help characters overcome obstacles and setbacks, as they are determined to succeed.
• Eager characters are often optimistic and resilient, able to bounce back from failures and disappointments.

Verbal expressions of eager characters

Here are some potential expressions used by eager characters.

• "I'm excited to learn more about this."
• "I'm enthusiastic about this project and can't wait to contribute."
• "Let's get going, I'm ready to go!"
• "I'm eager to dive in and see what we can accomplish."
• "I'm chomping at the bit to get started."
• "I'm eager to see how this turns out."
• "Count me in, I'm eager to be a part of this."
• "I'm really looking forward to this opportunity."
• "I can't wait to get started!"

Relationships of eager characters

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

• They may also have a tendency to take on too much and become overwhelmed, which can lead to stress and burnout.
• In relationships, eager people may need to work on active listening and being present in the moment, as their eagerness may cause them to jump ahead or interrupt others.
• Eager people may struggle with boundaries, either by overstepping other people's boundaries or by not setting their own boundaries effectively.
• They tend to be proactive and driven, which can inspire others to take action and make positive changes in their own lives.
• However, their eagerness can sometimes come across as pushy or overbearing, which may turn some people off.
• Eager people may come across as enthusiastic and upbeat, which can be infectious and draw others towards them.

Examples from books of characters who are eager

• Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Pip from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Writing exercises for writing eager characters

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

• Use body language to convey eagerness. Have your character lean in, make eye contact, nod enthusiastically, or fidget with excitement.
• Consider the context in which your character is eager. Are they eager to please someone? To learn something new? To achieve a goal? Tailor your writing to fit the specific situation.
• Use dialogue to show eagerness. Have your character ask lots of questions, express enthusiasm, or interrupt others with their eagerness.
• Start by defining what "eager" means to you as a writer. What specific behaviors or attitudes come to mind when you think of an eager character?
• Think about a time when you were eager about something. What did that look like? How did you behave? Use your personal experience to inform your writing.
• Consider the consequences of eagerness. Does your character's eagerness lead to success, or does it cause problems for them or others? Use this to add depth to your character.
• Show your character taking action to pursue their eagerness. Have them research, practice, or volunteer to learn more about the object of their eagerness.