Character Trait: Exacting

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Exacting refers to a person who is very demanding, rigorous, and meticulous in their work, behavior, or expectations. An exacting person is highly precise and detailed-oriented, and they have high standards for themselves and others. They pay close attention to the smallest details and are often perfectionists in their work and personal life. An exacting character may come across as critical or demanding, but their intention is to ensure that everything is done to the highest possible standard.

Possible causes of being exacting

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

• Fear of failure or criticism
• Desire for precision and accuracy
• High standards and expectations for oneself and others
• Strong sense of responsibility
• Attention to detail
• Strong beliefs or values that guide behavior
• Need for control or order
• Traumatic experiences that instill a sense of vigilance or caution
• Perfectionist tendencies

Behaviors associated with being exacting

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

• Setting high standards for oneself and others
• Being critical of oneself and others
• Creating detailed plans and schedules
• Striving for perfection
• Holding oneself and others accountable for mistakes
• Being organized and methodical
• Double-checking work for accuracy
• Being meticulous in work and personal life
• Paying close attention to details

Attitudes associated with being exacting

You may be able to show exacting through their attitudes.

• Analytical mindset
• Attention to detail
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Organized and systematic approach
• Desire for excellence
• Perfectionism
• Precision and accuracy
• Critical thinking
• High standards for oneself and others

Thoughts and struggles associated with being exacting

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

• They may also struggle with decision-making, as they may feel like they need to have all the information and facts before making a choice.
• The Exacting character is often highly detail-oriented and perfectionistic, placing a great deal of emphasis on precision and accuracy.
• They may struggle with feelings of guilt or shame if they feel like they've made a mistake or failed in some way.
• They may struggle with feelings of anxiety or frustration when things don't meet their standards, or when they feel like they're not in control.
• This type of character may also have a strong sense of responsibility and duty, feeling like they need to shoulder the burden of ensuring that everything is done perfectly.
• This character may have a tendency to micromanage or become overly critical of others who don't share their same level of attention to detail.

Emotions associated with being exacting

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

• Organized
• Perfectionism
• Detail-oriented
• High standards
• Precise
• Critical thinking
• Disciplined
• Focused
• Analytical

Facial expressions associated with being exacting

Here are some facial expressions your exacting character may exhibit.

• Eye contact that is intense or piercing
• Tension in the jaw or facial muscles
• Grimacing or frowning
• Raised eyebrows in a critical or disapproving manner
• Tightening of the lips
• Squinting or narrowing of the eyes
• Stiff or rigid posture
• Furrowing of the eyebrows
• A lack of smiling or pleasant facial expressions

Body language associated with being exacting

Here is some body language your exacting character may exhibit.

• Tapping fingers or foot
• A rigid posture
• Frowning or pursed lips
• Interrupting or speaking over others
• Scrutinizing or inspecting things closely
• Frequently checking the time or schedule
• Narrowed eyes
• Tightly crossed arms
• Pointing or gesturing emphatically

Behaviors associated with being exacting

Here are some behaviors your exacting character may exhibit.

• Creating detailed plans and schedules
• Being organized and methodical
• Setting high standards for oneself and others
• Being critical of oneself and others
• Holding oneself and others accountable for mistakes
• Paying close attention to details
• Striving for perfection
• Being meticulous in work and personal life
• Double-checking work for accuracy

Growth and evolution of exacting characters

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

• Develop better communication skills
• Learn to prioritize and focus on what is truly important
• Learn to delegate tasks and trust others
• Develop empathy and compassion towards others
• Become more flexible and adaptable to change
• Develop a greater sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Discover the value of collaboration and teamwork
• Learn to let go of perfectionism and embrace imperfection
• Learn to accept constructive criticism and feedback

Stereotypes of exacting characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical exacting character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character too perfectionistic, to the point where they are never satisfied with anything.
• Avoid making the character overly critical or nitpicky, to the point where they become annoying.
• Avoid making the character too controlling or micromanaging, as this can make them difficult to work with or be around.
• Avoid making the character too rigid or inflexible in their thinking or behavior.

Negatives of being exacting

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

• Potential for burnout from constant attention to detail and high expectations
• May struggle with decision-making due to fear of making the wrong choice
• Difficulty in delegating tasks to others due to high standards
• Risk of becoming rigid and inflexible in thinking and behavior
• Tendency to be perfectionistic and nitpicky
• May become overly critical of oneself and others

Positives of being exacting

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

• They are often very thorough in their work, which can result in high-quality outcomes.
• Exacting individuals have high standards for themselves and others, which can lead to a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence.
• Exacting individuals tend to be reliable and dependable, as they take their commitments seriously and follow through on their promises.
• They are often good problem solvers and critical thinkers, as they are able to identify and analyze issues with a high level of detail.
• Exacting individuals are often very organized and structured, which can help them manage their time effectively and stay on top of tasks.
• They pay close attention to detail, which can result in more accurate and precise work.

Verbal expressions of exacting characters

Here are some potential expressions used by exacting characters.

• "This needs to be exact."
• "Let's go over it one more time."
• "You missed a spot."
• "I expect nothing less than excellence."
• "I need it to be perfect."
• "That's not quite right."
• "Double-check everything."
• "Precision is key."
• "Let's try it again."

Relationships of exacting characters

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

• They may come across as critical, demanding, or even nitpicky when it comes to the work of others.
• Exacting individuals may struggle with delegating tasks to others, as they may fear that others will not meet their standards.
• Exacting people may struggle with giving and receiving feedback, as they may take criticism personally and may have a hard time delivering feedback constructively.
• They may have a tendency to focus on the flaws and weaknesses of others rather than their strengths.
• They may have a hard time trusting others to complete tasks correctly and may feel the need to micromanage.
• Exacting people tend to have high standards and may expect the same level of attention to detail and perfectionism from others.

Examples from books of characters who are exacting

• Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
• Patrick Bateman from American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson

Writing exercises for writing exacting characters

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

• Use internal monologue to show the character's inner thoughts and how their exacting nature affects their perception of events and people.
• Explore the consequences of the character's exacting nature. Does it lead to success or failure in their endeavors? How do others react to their behavior?
• Use dialogue to show the character's exacting nature. Have them correct others' grammar or pronunciation, or nitpick details in a plan or strategy.
• First, define what "exacting" means to you as a writer. This will help you stay consistent in your portrayal of this trait throughout your story.
• Write a scene where the character is in a position of leadership or authority and must make a difficult decision based on their exacting standards.
• Consider the character's backstory and experiences that may have led them to develop this trait. How has it affected their relationships and actions?
• Show the character's attention to detail in their surroundings. Do they notice small changes in a room's decor or the quality of an object?