Character Trait: Exciting

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "exciting" refers to a person who is stimulating, thrilling, or captivating. An exciting character is someone who energizes and engages the people around them with their actions, ideas, or personality. They may be adventurous, daring, or spontaneous, and they often have a contagious enthusiasm that inspires others. An exciting character can add depth and interest to a story, and can make it more engaging and memorable for readers.

Possible causes of being exciting

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

• They have a magnetic personality that attracts others to them and makes them the life of the party.
• They have a creative and imaginative mind that allows them to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas.
• They have a strong sense of adventure and are always looking for ways to push their limits and try new things.
• They have a passion for life and approach everything they do with enthusiasm and excitement.
• They have a natural charisma that makes them charming and charismatic.
• They have a positive outlook on life and are optimistic about the future.
• They have a natural curiosity that drives them to seek new experiences and take risks.
• They have a high energy level and enjoy being active and engaged in activities.
• They have a great sense of humor and love to make others laugh and have a good time.

Behaviors associated with being exciting

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

• Being unpredictable and keeping others on their toes
• Keeping the conversation lively and engaging
• Being confident and comfortable in social situations
• Having a passion for life and all it has to offer
• Taking risks and embracing new experiences
• Challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries
• Having a contagious enthusiasm and energy
• Being charismatic and captivating to others
• Being spontaneous and adventurous

Attitudes associated with being exciting

You may be able to show exciting through their attitudes.

• Spontaneous
• Bold
• Energetic
• Vibrant
• Unpredictable
• Adventurous
• Enthusiastic
• Charismatic
• Stimulating

Thoughts and struggles associated with being exciting

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

• Struggling with the fear of missing out or not living life to the fullest
• Having a hard time committing to one thing or person because they fear it may limit their excitement and opportunities
• Being impulsive and sometimes making rash decisions without thinking of the consequences
• Feeling restless or bored when things become too routine or predictable
• Always seeking new experiences and adventures to keep life exciting
• Struggling to maintain relationships as they may prioritize their own desires over others' needs
• Craving attention and admiration from others, leading to potentially reckless behavior to gain it
• Feeling a constant need to prove themselves or show off their abilities to others

Emotions associated with being exciting

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

• Adventurous
• Energetic
• Engaging
• Stimulating
• Entertaining
• Alluring
• Captivating
• Vibrant
• Thrilling
• Inspiring
• Exhilarating
• Fun-loving
• Charismatic
• Spontaneous
• Passionate
• Unpredictable
• Optimistic
• Magnetic
• Enthusiastic
• Confident
• Bold
• Daring

Facial expressions associated with being exciting

Here are some facial expressions your exciting character may exhibit.

• Wide-eyed with excitement
• A bouncing or jittery demeanor
• A tendency to talk quickly or excitedly
• A sparkle in the eyes
• Flushed cheeks
• A wide grin or smile
• A tendency to gesture with the hands or body
• A tendency to lean forward in their seat
• Raised eyebrows
• An animated facial expression

Body language associated with being exciting

Here is some body language your exciting character may exhibit.

• Fidgeting or moving around frequently
• Use of hand gestures while speaking
• A wide, bright smile
• Animated facial expressions
• Speaking with a dynamic tone and inflection
• Quick, energetic movements
• Being physically expressive and demonstrative
• Maintaining eye contact with others
• Leaning forward or being on the edge of their seat

Behaviors associated with being exciting

Here are some behaviors your exciting character may exhibit.

• Being charismatic and captivating to others
• Having a contagious enthusiasm and energy
• Challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries
• Being spontaneous and adventurous
• Taking risks and embracing new experiences
• Having a passion for life and all it has to offer
• Being unpredictable and keeping others on their toes
• Keeping the conversation lively and engaging
• Being confident and comfortable in social situations

Growth and evolution of exciting characters

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

• Changing their beliefs or values
• Overcoming their fears or insecurities
• Confronting and resolving past traumas or conflicts
• Making difficult choices and sacrifices for the greater good
• Learning to trust others or themselves
• Discovering hidden strengths or abilities
• Acknowledging and addressing flaws or weaknesses
• Taking on new responsibilities or leadership roles
• Developing new relationships or deepening existing ones

Stereotypes of exciting characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical exciting character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character's excitement come across as forced or fake.
• Avoid making the character too aggressive or confrontational.
• Avoid making the character too hyper or intense all the time.
• Avoid making the character overly impulsive or reckless.
• Avoid creating characters that are one-dimensional or predictable.
• Avoid making the character too selfish or self-centered.
• Avoid making the character too scatterbrained or disorganized.
• Avoid making the character too confident or arrogant.

Negatives of being exciting

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

• Being too exciting can be exhausting for both the character and the people around them.
• Excitement can sometimes lead to impulsiveness and recklessness, which can have negative consequences.
• The excitement-seeking behavior can also be addictive, leading the character to take dangerous risks or become addicted to substances.
• Being constantly in search of excitement can cause the character to become bored with routine or normalcy, leading to a lack of fulfillment in their lives.

Positives of being exciting

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

• They create a sense of anticipation and keep the story engaging.
• Exciting characters are memorable and leave a lasting impression on readers.
• Exciting characters can also be charismatic and draw other characters and readers into their orbit.
• They tend to be adventurous and take risks, which can lead to unexpected plot twists and keep readers on their toes.
• Exciting characters can be inspiring and motivate readers to take action or make changes in their own lives.
• They often bring energy and excitement to scenes, making them more dynamic and memorable.

Verbal expressions of exciting characters

Here are some potential expressions used by exciting characters.

• "This is going to be epic!"
• "Get ready for an adventure!"
• "You won't believe what's going to happen next!"
• "I feel alive when I do things like this!"
• "Let's try something new!"
• "Hold on tight, it's going to get crazy!"
• "This is going to be a wild ride!"
• "I have an idea that will blow your mind!"
• "I can't wait to see what happens!"

Relationships of exciting characters

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

• They often have a contagious energy that can inspire those around them to try new things and take risks.
• They can be impulsive and spontaneous, which can make them fun and unpredictable to be around.
• They may have a tendency to be a bit unpredictable or unreliable, which can be both exciting and frustrating for those around them.
• They can be great motivators, encouraging others to chase their dreams and push their boundaries.
• Exciting people can be adventurous and thrill-seeking, which can lead to exciting experiences and memories with others.
• Exciting people tend to have a magnetic and charismatic personality that draws others towards them.
• Their enthusiasm can be infectious, making others feel more positive and optimistic.

Examples from books of characters who are exciting

• Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle)
• Harry Potter (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
• Arya Stark (A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin)
• Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien)
• Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)
• Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger)
• Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins)
• Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson)
• Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

Writing exercises for writing exciting characters

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

• Create obstacles: Give your character obstacles to overcome that will make their excitement even more satisfying. For example, if they're trying to win a competition, make it difficult for them to succeed.
• Use dialogue to convey excitement: Have your character speak in an excited tone, using exclamation points and words like "amazing", "incredible", and "unbelievable".
• Write from their perspective: Try writing a scene from your character's perspective as they experience something exciting. This will help you get inside their head and understand their emotions and reactions.
• Show, don't tell: Instead of simply stating that your character is excited, show their excitement through their actions, dialogue, and body language.
• Start with a character profile: Before you start writing about your character, create a detailed profile that includes their backstory, personality traits, and motivations. This will help you understand your character better and make them more real on the page.
• Use sensory details: Show your character's excitement through the use of sensory details. Describe how their heart races, how they feel a rush of adrenaline, or how they can't stop smiling.
• Use pacing to build excitement: Use short, snappy sentences and quick pacing to build excitement in action scenes or moments of high tension.