Character Trait: Engaged

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Engaged" refers to a person who is fully present and actively involved in a situation or task. An engaged character is passionate, committed, and interested in what they are doing. They take ownership of their responsibilities and are willing to put in the effort to achieve their goals. They are not easily distracted and are attentive to details. An engaged character can inspire others to get involved and work towards a common goal.

Possible causes of being engaged

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

• Natural curiosity and interest in the world around them
• A desire to connect with others and form meaningful relationships
• A sense of responsibility and commitment to their goals and values
• A strong sense of purpose or passion for a particular cause or activity
• A willingness to take risks and try new things
• A positive outlook and optimistic attitude towards life
• A love for learning and personal growth
• A tendency to be proactive and take initiative in their endeavors

Behaviors associated with being engaged

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

• Taking initiative and being proactive
• Participating in conversations and activities
• Being open-minded and willing to learn
• Showing enthusiasm and passion for what you're doing
• Asking questions to gain understanding
• Actively listening to others
• Being present in the moment
• Setting goals and working towards them
• Seeking feedback and constructive criticism

Attitudes associated with being engaged

You may be able to show engaged through their attitudes.

• Focused and attentive
• Proactive and taking initiative
• Open-minded and receptive to feedback
• Passionate and committed
• Resilient and persistent
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Eager to learn and improve
• Self-motivated and driven
• Willing to take risks and try new things

Thoughts and struggles associated with being engaged

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

• A frustration with apathy or lack of engagement from those around them
• A fear of failure or not living up to their own expectations
• A struggle to balance their personal life with their passions and goals
• A need for validation and recognition from others for their efforts
• A sense of purpose and direction in their life
• A desire to make a positive impact on the world around them
• A drive to constantly improve themselves and their skills
• An inner conflict between their own desires and the needs of their community or society
• A tendency to overcommit or take on too much responsibility

Emotions associated with being engaged

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

• Curiosity
• Focus
• Enthusiasm
• Determination
• Commitment
• Excitement
• Inspiration
• Passion
• Eagerness

Facial expressions associated with being engaged

Here are some facial expressions your engaged character may exhibit.

• Animated facial expressions
• Focused gaze
• Slight head tilt
• Nodding
• Smiling
• Raised eyebrows
• Wide-open eyes
• Eyebrow furrowed in concentration
• Leaning forward

Body language associated with being engaged

Here is some body language your engaged character may exhibit.

• Leaning forward slightly towards the person
• Smiling and showing positive body language
• Making eye contact with the other person
• Using open body language, such as uncrossed arms and legs
• Responding in a timely manner to what is being said
• Asking follow-up questions and showing curiosity
• Nodding and showing facial expressions that indicate interest
• Reacting actively to what the other person says
• Avoiding distractions and focusing on the conversation

Behaviors associated with being engaged

Here are some behaviors your engaged character may exhibit.

• Actively listening to others
• Asking questions to gain understanding
• Participating in conversations and activities
• Taking initiative and being proactive
• Seeking feedback and constructive criticism
• Being present in the moment
• Setting goals and working towards them
• Being open-minded and willing to learn
• Showing enthusiasm and passion for what you're doing

Growth and evolution of engaged characters

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

• They may become more open-minded, willing to consider new perspectives and ideas that challenge their assumptions and beliefs.
• An engaged character may become more creative, finding new and innovative ways to approach problems and challenges.
• They may become more proactive, taking initiative and pursuing their goals with greater determination.
• An engaged character may become more invested in the world around them, developing a stronger sense of curiosity and wonder.
• They may become more resilient, able to bounce back from setbacks and failures with greater resilience and determination.
• An engaged character may also become more empathetic, developing a deeper understanding of the people and situations around them.

Stereotypes of engaged characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical engaged character like these examples.

• The overly aggressive or confrontational Engaged character who always seems angry or argumentative
• The Engaged character who is portrayed as a martyr or victim, constantly sacrificing themselves for their cause without any hope of success or recognition
• The Engaged character who is so focused on their cause that they neglect other important aspects of their life, such as relationships or self-care
• The Engaged character who is constantly lecturing others about their beliefs or values, coming across as judgmental or preachy

Negatives of being engaged

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

• Feeling anxious about the future and the commitment of marriage
• Struggling with financial stress due to wedding expenses
• Dealing with disagreements and conflicts with your partner during the planning process
• Losing touch with friends and hobbies due to the time and energy demands of wedding planning
• Dealing with family drama and conflicts
• Feeling overwhelmed with wedding planning tasks
• Facing pressure from society and social media to have a "perfect" wedding

Positives of being engaged

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

• Engaged people often have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
• They are more likely to experience personal growth and development.
• They are more likely to have better relationships with others.
• Engaged individuals tend to be more creative and innovative in their thinking.
• Engaged individuals are more committed to their goals and tasks.
• They are more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges and obstacles.
• Engaged people often have a positive attitude and outlook on life.
• They tend to be more productive and efficient in their work.

Verbal expressions of engaged characters

Here are some potential expressions used by engaged characters.

• Asking thoughtful questions and actively listening to the responses
• Demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve
• Showing enthusiasm and interest in the conversation or activity
• Being fully present and focused on the task at hand
• Providing feedback and contributing to the discussion
• Displaying a positive attitude and energy
• Taking initiative and being proactive in addressing challenges
• Expressing empathy and understanding towards others

Relationships of engaged characters

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

• They have a strong sense of empathy and are able to put themselves in other people's shoes, which helps them to understand and connect with others on a deeper level.
• They are generally trustworthy and loyal, which helps to build strong and long-lasting relationships.
• They are often good listeners and communicate effectively with their loved ones.
• Engaged people tend to have positive and healthy relationships with others.
• Engaged people are often willing to compromise and work together to find solutions to any problems or disagreements that may arise in their relationships.
• Engaged individuals tend to be supportive of their partners and encourage them to pursue their goals and dreams.
• Engaged individuals tend to have a good sense of humor and are able to make others feel at ease.

Examples from books of characters who are engaged

• Jane Eyre from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Harry Potter from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Writing exercises for writing engaged characters

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

• Describe a moment where your character takes ownership of a mistake or failure, and actively works to make amends or find a solution.
• Write a scene where your character actively listens and engages in a conversation with someone they disagree with.
• Describe a moment where your character takes initiative and steps out of their comfort zone to help someone in need.
• Write a scene where your character shows empathy and actively works to understand and support someone else's perspective or situation.
• Write a scene where your character is fully present and engaged in a task or activity, demonstrating their passion and dedication.
• Create a scenario where your character actively seeks out opportunities to collaborate and work with others towards a shared objective.
• Create a scenario where your character actively seeks out new experiences and challenges, pushing themselves to grow and learn.
• Describe a moment where your character takes a leadership role and actively works to motivate and inspire others towards a common goal.
• Create a scenario where your character actively seeks out feedback from others to improve their skills or abilities.