Character Trait: Furtive

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "furtive" refers to someone who is secretive, sly, or stealthy in their actions or mannerisms. It can suggest that a person has something to hide or is intentionally trying to avoid notice or detection. A furtive character may behave in a way that is sneaky, covert, or underhanded, making it difficult for others to trust or understand their motives.

Possible causes of being furtive

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

• Fear of judgment or rejection by others, leading them to keep their thoughts and actions hidden.
• Traumatic experiences in the past that have made them feel the need to hide or be secretive.
• A desire to maintain control over their life and avoid being manipulated or taken advantage of by others.
• A tendency towards introversion or shyness, causing them to retreat into themselves and avoid attention.
• Upbringing in a family or environment where secrecy and discretion are highly valued.
• A natural inclination towards being observant and analytical, leading them to carefully observe their surroundings before acting.
• A belief that information is power, leading them to gather and hoard information for their own benefit.

Behaviors associated with being furtive

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

• Quickly changing direction or covering one's tracks
• Observing others without being noticed
• Hiding or concealing something
• Moving quietly and stealthily
• Avoiding eye contact or pretending not to notice something
• Speaking in hushed tones or whispering
• Being cautious or suspicious of others' intentions
• Keeping secrets or being evasive
• Sneaking around or eavesdropping

Attitudes associated with being furtive

You may be able to show furtive through their attitudes.

• A tendency to hide one's true thoughts or feelings
• A feeling of guilt or shame associated with one's actions
• Tendency to avoid attention or being noticed
• Suspicious or distrustful of others
• A preference for indirect communication or hints rather than direct statements
• A tendency to deceive or withhold information
• A desire for privacy or solitude
• Secretive behavior
• Quick and quiet movements or actions

Thoughts and struggles associated with being furtive

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

• Being highly adaptive and able to quickly change course or pivot as needed.
• Struggling with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, feeling like they're not really who they appear to be.
• Struggling with indecision and a fear of making the wrong choice.
• Being highly self-reliant and preferring to handle things on their own rather than relying on others.
• Struggling with feeling disconnected from their own emotions and not knowing how to express them.
• Feeling paranoid or anxious around other people, especially those they don't know well.
• Feeling guilty about things they've done in the past and worrying that others will find out.
• Feeling like they don't belong or fit in anywhere.
• Being highly observant and noticing things that others might miss.
• Being hyper-aware of their surroundings and constantly on the lookout for potential threats or sources of danger.
• Feeling like they're constantly under scrutiny and that others are judging them.
• Struggling with trust issues and finding it difficult to confide in others.
• Having a hard time opening up emotionally, even to those they're close to.
• Constantly feeling like they need to hide something or keep secrets from others.

Emotions associated with being furtive

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

• Anxious
• Hesitant
• Paranoid
• Sneaky
• Suspicious
• Guilty
• Nervous
• Secretive
• Fearful

Facial expressions associated with being furtive

Here are some facial expressions your furtive character may exhibit.

• Looking over one's shoulder
• Clenching of the jaw
• Smirking or sneering
• Tightening of the lips
• Raised eyebrows with a furrowed forehead
• Shifting of the gaze
• Darting glances
• Averting eye contact
• Narrowing of the eyes

Body language associated with being furtive

Here is some body language your furtive character may exhibit.

• Glancing around nervously
• Shifting or fidgeting in one's seat
• Nervous laughter or giggling
• Hiding or concealing something
• Looking over one's shoulder
• Hunching one's shoulders or crossing arms
• Sneaking or tiptoeing
• Whispers or speaking in a low voice
• Avoiding direct questions or answers
• Speaking in a low or hesitant voice
• Darting or quick movements
• Avoiding eye contact

Behaviors associated with being furtive

Here are some behaviors your furtive character may exhibit.

• Moving quietly and stealthily
• Sneaking around or eavesdropping
• Being cautious or suspicious of others' intentions
• Keeping secrets or being evasive
• Observing others without being noticed
• Avoiding eye contact or pretending not to notice something
• Quickly changing direction or covering one's tracks
• Hiding or concealing something
• Speaking in hushed tones or whispering

Growth and evolution of furtive characters

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

• Learning to take risks and be more adventurous
• Developing stronger relationships with others as they become more open and transparent
• Developing a greater sense of confidence and self-assuredness
• Learning to value honesty and integrity in themselves and others
• Becoming more assertive in pursuing their goals or desires
• Learning to trust others and open up more
• Overcoming their tendency to be secretive or deceptive
• Learning to deal with guilt or shame associated with their furtive nature
• Developing stronger communication skills to better express themselves

Stereotypes of furtive characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical furtive character like these examples.

• Avoid making them too similar to other Furtive characters in popular culture without adding your own unique spin or perspective.
• Avoid making them overly secretive or mysterious without providing any explanation or context for their behavior.
• Avoid making Furtive characters one-dimensional or solely defined by their furtiveness.
• Avoid making them untrustworthy or deceitful without exploring the reasons behind their actions or providing any redemptive qualities.
• Avoid making them too timid or passive to the point of being ineffective or forgettable.

Negatives of being furtive

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

• Tendency to be viewed as suspicious or untrustworthy
• Can cause undue stress and anxiety
• May miss out on opportunities or experiences due to fear of being caught or discovered
• May struggle with forming deep, meaningful relationships
• May struggle with open communication and vulnerability
• Can lead to feeling isolated or lonely
• Difficulty in building trust with others

Positives of being furtive

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

• Furtive characters can be great at keeping secrets, which can make them valuable allies or confidants.
• Being furtive can also demonstrate a certain level of intelligence and cunning, as it requires thinking ahead and planning carefully.
• Furtiveness can be a useful tool in survival situations, allowing characters to avoid danger and stay alive.
• They are often skilled at avoiding detection and can be useful in stealthy situations.
• Furtive characters can be seen as mysterious and intriguing, which can make them more interesting to readers.
• Their ability to observe and remain unnoticed can also give them unique perspectives on situations and people, allowing for deeper insights and understanding.

Verbal expressions of furtive characters

Here are some potential expressions used by furtive characters.

• Using diversion tactics to redirect attention
• Avoiding eye contact
• Refusing to answer direct questions
• Whispering or speaking softly
• Making sudden movements or quick exits
• Using non-verbal cues to communicate (e.g. hand signals, nods)
• Speaking in half-truths or outright lies
• Using coded language or euphemisms
• Hesitating or appearing nervous when speaking

Relationships of furtive characters

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

• They may be hesitant to trust others, which can lead to them keeping their distance or being guarded.
• They may be skilled at keeping secrets and maintaining confidentiality, which can make them good confidants but also make others question their loyalty.
• They may be sensitive to criticism or rejection, which can make it challenging for others to give them feedback or express disagreement.
• They may be very observant and perceptive, which can make them good at reading other people's emotions and intentions.
• They may struggle with opening up or sharing personal information, which can make it difficult for others to get to know them.
• They may come across as secretive or mysterious, which can intrigue some people but also make others feel uneasy or distrustful.
• They may have a tendency to avoid conflict or confrontation, which can make it difficult for them to assert their needs or stand up for themselves.
• They may have a strong sense of independence and prefer to work alone or on their own terms, which can make it challenging for them to collaborate or compromise with others.

Examples from books of characters who are furtive

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

Writing exercises for writing furtive characters

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

• Start by defining what "furtive" means to you. Is it someone who is sneaky or secretive? Do they try to hide their true intentions or feelings? Once you have a clear understanding of the trait, you can start to brainstorm ways to show it in your characters.
• Explore your character's motivations. Why are they being furtive? What are they trying to achieve, and why do they feel like they need to be secretive about it?
• Write a scene in which your character is caught doing something they shouldn't be doing. How do they react? Do they try to lie their way out of it, or do they come clean?
• Write a scene from the perspective of someone who is trying to figure out what your character is hiding. What clues do they pick up on, and how do they piece together the truth?
• Create a character who is always looking over their shoulder, constantly checking to make sure no one is watching them. Maybe they have a secret they're trying to keep hidden, or they're always up to something sneaky.
• Play with your character's body language. Maybe they're always looking down or avoiding eye contact, or they fidget nervously when they're trying to hide something.
• Write a scene in which your character is forced to confront someone they've been avoiding. How do they react? Do they try to deflect or change the subject, or do they confront the issue head-on?