Character Trait: Enigmatic

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Enigmatic refers to a person who is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand. An enigmatic character may have a complex personality that keeps others guessing, or they may deliberately conceal their thoughts and feelings to keep others at bay. This trait can add depth and intrigue to a character, making them more interesting and memorable to readers. However, it is important to balance an enigmatic character with enough backstory and development to prevent them from becoming one-dimensional or confusing to readers.

Possible causes of being enigmatic

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

• A strategic decision to maintain an air of mystery or intrigue
• A tendency to keep one's thoughts and feelings private
• Traumatic past experiences leading to guarded behavior
• Fear of vulnerability or being hurt
• Difficulty in expressing oneself clearly or coherently
• A desire for privacy or independence
• A need for control or power over one's image or identity

Behaviors associated with being enigmatic

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

• Having a complex or layered personality
• Displaying an air of mystery or intrigue
• Using body language to convey hidden meanings
• Avoiding direct answers to questions
• Being unpredictable or hard to read
• Keeping emotions and thoughts hidden
• Being shrouded in secrecy or having a hidden past
• Speaking in a cryptic or mysterious manner
• Withholding information or being vague

Attitudes associated with being enigmatic

You may be able to show enigmatic through their attitudes.

• A tendency to observe and analyze before acting or speaking
• Reserved or guarded demeanor
• A sense of detachment or distance from others
• Mysterious or elusive behavior
• Tendency to keep secrets or withhold information
• A talent for subtly manipulating others
• A preference for solitude or privacy
• An air of mystery or intrigue
• Deliberate use of ambiguity or vagueness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being enigmatic

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

• They may also have a strong sense of intuition, able to read people and situations with ease.
• Enigmatic characters often have a mysterious aura around them, which can make them intriguing to the reader.
• They may have a deep sense of curiosity, always seeking to uncover hidden truths and secrets.
• They may have a complex past or backstory, which contributes to their enigmatic nature.
• They may struggle with a sense of purpose, feeling lost or directionless in life.
• They may also have a tendency towards manipulation, using their enigmatic nature to control or influence others.
• They may struggle with a fear of vulnerability, preferring to keep their thoughts and emotions hidden from others.
• They may have a tendency towards introspection and self-reflection, constantly questioning their own motives and actions.
• They may also struggle with a sense of isolation, feeling disconnected from others due to their enigmatic nature.

Emotions associated with being enigmatic

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

• Confounding
• Cryptic
• Puzzling
• Bewildering
• Elusive
• Intriguing
• Mesmerizing
• Secretive
• Fascinating
• Alluring
• Enchanting
• Uncanny
• Unpredictable
• Mysterious

Facial expressions associated with being enigmatic

Here are some facial expressions your enigmatic character may exhibit.

• A soft smirk with a shrug
• A blank stare with a hint of curiosity
• A sly smile with a playful glint in the eye
• A quizzical look with a furrowed brow
• A half-smile with a tilted head
• A distant stare with a serious expression
• A slight smile with a raised eyebrow
• A confident grin with a slight nod
• Narrowed eyes with a neutral expression

Body language associated with being enigmatic

Here is some body language your enigmatic character may exhibit.

• Avoiding direct eye contact or holding eye contact for longer than usual
• Smiling slightly or not at all, giving a sense of aloofness or detachment
• Pausing before responding to questions or comments
• Keeping a distance from others, physically or emotionally
• Crossing arms or legs to create a barrier between themselves and others
• Maintaining a neutral or mysterious expression
• Using vague or ambiguous language to avoid giving away too much information
• Speaking in a measured, deliberate tone

Behaviors associated with being enigmatic

Here are some behaviors your enigmatic character may exhibit.

• Having a complex or layered personality
• Displaying an air of mystery or intrigue
• Keeping emotions and thoughts hidden
• Avoiding direct answers to questions
• Being shrouded in secrecy or having a hidden past
• Speaking in a cryptic or mysterious manner
• Using body language to convey hidden meanings
• Being unpredictable or hard to read
• Withholding information or being vague

Growth and evolution of enigmatic characters

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

• Demonstrate empathy or understanding towards others, showing a softer side to their personality
• Reveal more about themselves and their backstory, gradually pulling back the layers of mystery surrounding them
• Reveal their motivations and goals, demonstrating that their enigmatic nature may have been a defense mechanism to protect themselves
• Take on a leadership role, using their enigmatic nature to inspire and motivate others
• Learn to trust others, allowing them to let down their guard and form deeper connections with others
• Confront and overcome their own personal demons, allowing them to become more open and authentic
• Show vulnerability or weakness, demonstrating that they are not invincible or completely closed off
• Develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with other characters, allowing them to form emotional connections with others

Stereotypes of enigmatic characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical enigmatic character like these examples.

• Speaking in cryptic or confusing ways that don't add to the story or reveal anything about the character
• Having a backstory or past that is overly complicated or convoluted, making it hard for readers to follow or care about
• Being overly mysterious without any clear reason or motivation
• Being too secretive or withholding information from other characters for no apparent reason
• Having a hidden agenda or ulterior motive that is too predictable or cliché
• Being too perfect or flawless, which can make the character seem unrealistic or one-dimensional
• Being too aloof or detached from other characters, making it difficult for readers to connect with them

Negatives of being enigmatic

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

• Your mysteriousness may be seen as intimidating or off-putting, causing others to feel uncomfortable around you.
• If you're not careful, you may come across as aloof or uncaring, which can damage your relationships with others.
• People may find it difficult to connect with you on a deeper level, which can lead to feelings of isolation or loneliness.
• Your tendency to keep things to yourself could lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications, especially if others are relying on you for information or support.

Positives of being enigmatic

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

• Enigmatic characters can be memorable and stand out in readers' minds, adding to the overall impact of a story.
• Enigmatic characters can create an air of mystery and intrigue, making readers curious about their motives and backstory.
• They can add depth and complexity to a story by revealing layers of their personality over time.
• They can be a source of tension and conflict, as other characters may be unsure of their intentions.
• Enigmatic characters can be unpredictable, keeping readers engaged and on the edge of their seats.

Verbal expressions of enigmatic characters

Here are some potential expressions used by enigmatic characters.

• Using metaphors or analogies to convey ideas
• Speaking in a low or quiet voice
• Using sarcasm or wit to deflect questions or criticism
• Giving cryptic responses or answers
• Pausing before answering or taking time to think before speaking
• Being elusive or evasive in conversation
• Speaking in riddles or vague language
• Being mysterious or aloof in demeanor
• Using body language or facial expressions to convey meaning instead of words

Relationships of enigmatic characters

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

• Enigmatic people may have a mysterious aura that attracts others to them, but can also make it difficult for others to get to know them.
• Because they are often guarded, enigmatic individuals may have a small circle of close friends or confidants who they feel comfortable sharing their inner selves with.
• They may have a tendency to keep their thoughts and feelings private, which can create a sense of distance in their relationships.
• Enigmatic individuals may also be very observant and intuitive, which can make them good at reading others, but may also lead them to make assumptions about others without actually communicating with them.

Examples from books of characters who are enigmatic

• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Dracula from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Tyler Durden from "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk
• Tom Ripley from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson

Writing exercises for writing enigmatic characters

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

• Write a scene where your character is being questioned by someone in authority, but they refuse to give a straight answer.
• Have your character react in unexpected ways to situations, leaving others unsure of what they are thinking or feeling.
• Write a scene where your character is confronted by another character, but remains calm and collected, giving away nothing.
• Write a scene where your character is alone and doing something mysterious or secretive.
• Write a scene where your character is in a position of power, but keeps their true intentions hidden from those around them.
• Have your character make decisions that seem to contradict their personality or motivations, leaving others confused.
• Have your character use body language or facial expressions that are difficult to read or interpret.
• Write a scene where your character reveals a secret or important information, but leaves out key details that could help others understand.
• Have your character use metaphors or cryptic language when speaking to others.