Character Trait: Gifted

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait 'gifted' refers to a person who has exceptional abilities or talents, which set them apart from others in a particular area. It could be in any field, such as music, art, academics, sports, or even leadership. A gifted character is someone who possesses a natural talent that allows them to excel in their chosen area without much effort. However, it's important to note that being gifted does not necessarily equate to success, as it requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance to achieve one's goals.

Possible causes of being gifted

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

• Early exposure to intellectual and creative stimulation
• Personal drive and motivation to excel
• Unique life experiences or challenges that fostered resilience and adaptability
• Genetic disposition or heredity
• Access to quality education and learning opportunities
• Openness to new ideas and perspectives
• A strong sense of curiosity and exploration
• A natural inclination towards creative thinking and problem-solving
• Supportive and nurturing environment

Behaviors associated with being gifted

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

• Possessing a natural talent or skill in a particular area
• Easily grasping and understanding complex concepts or ideas
• Demonstrating advanced problem-solving skills
• Being able to learn and adapt quickly to new situations
• Being highly creative and imaginative
• Exhibiting a strong sense of intuition and insight
• Having exceptional memory and recall abilities
• Having a high level of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge
• Excelling in academic or intellectual pursuits

Attitudes associated with being gifted

You may be able to show gifted through their attitudes.

• High level of intelligence and aptitude in one or more areas
• High levels of curiosity and interest in various subjects
• Creative and original thinking
• A need for intellectual stimulation and challenge
• A tendency to overthink and analyze situations
• Strong problem-solving skills
• A desire to explore and push boundaries
• Perfectionism and attention to detail
• Quick and efficient learning abilities

Thoughts and struggles associated with being gifted

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

• Feeling isolated and misunderstood due to their unique abilities
• Fear of failure and not living up to their potential
• Fear of being exploited or taken advantage of by others who want to use their gifts for their own benefit
• Difficulty relating to "normal" people and feeling like an outsider
• Torn between using their talents for personal gain or to help others
• Struggling with the pressure to live up to high expectations from others
• Struggling with their own ego and the temptation to use their abilities to dominate others
• Dealing with imposter syndrome and feeling like they don't deserve their talents

Emotions associated with being gifted

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

• Perfectionism and high standards for oneself and others
• A need for intellectual stimulation and challenge
• Frustration with societal norms
• Intense curiosity and desire to learn
• Impatience with others who don't understand
• Loneliness due to feeling different
• Feelings of isolation or alienation
• Fear of failure or not living up to expectations
• A sense of responsibility to use their gifts for good

Facial expressions associated with being gifted

Here are some facial expressions your gifted character may exhibit.

• A confident and self-assured expression, often characterized by a slight smile or a subtle nod of the head.
• A sense of determination and perseverance, often accompanied by a set jaw and a focused gaze.
• A sense of empathy and compassion, often characterized by a warm and understanding expression.
• An intense and passionate look, often characterized by wide eyes and a firm jawline.
• A sense of focus and concentration, often accompanied by a furrowed brow or a narrowed gaze.
• A curious and inquisitive look, often characterized by raised eyebrows and a slight tilt of the head.
• A sense of contemplation and introspection, often accompanied by a pensive expression and a thoughtful gaze.
• A sense of humor and playfulness, often characterized by a mischievous grin or a twinkle in the eyes.

Body language associated with being gifted

Here is some body language your gifted character may exhibit.

• Fidgeting or playing with objects as a way to release excess energy or focus their thoughts.
• Speaking quickly and with great enthusiasm, often using complex vocabulary and making connections between seemingly disparate ideas.
• An intense focus on their surroundings or the task at hand, often leading to a furrowed brow or a narrowed gaze.
• A tendency to gesture frequently while speaking, using their hands to illustrate their points or emphasize certain words.
• A tendency to lean forward or sit up straight when engaged in conversation, demonstrating their interest and curiosity.
• A habit of biting their lip or chewing on their nails as a way to cope with stress or uncertainty.
• A habit of making eye contact while speaking, conveying confidence and a desire to connect with others.

Behaviors associated with being gifted

Here are some behaviors your gifted character may exhibit.

• Exhibiting a strong sense of intuition and insight
• Being highly creative and imaginative
• Being able to learn and adapt quickly to new situations
• Possessing a natural talent or skill in a particular area
• Having exceptional memory and recall abilities
• Easily grasping and understanding complex concepts or ideas
• Demonstrating advanced problem-solving skills
• Having a high level of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge
• Excelling in academic or intellectual pursuits

Growth and evolution of gifted characters

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

• Use their gift to help others or achieve a greater purpose
• Struggle with the pressure and expectations that come with their gift
• Experience a shift in perspective towards their gift and its role in their life
• Develop a sense of responsibility towards their gift
• Discover the limitations and consequences of their gift
• Develop empathy towards others who may not have their gift
• Learn to control and hone their abilities
• Face challenges that test their skills and force them to adapt
• Learn to work with others who have different gifts or no gifts at all

Stereotypes of gifted characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical gifted character like these examples.

• Avoid making them too dependent on their Gifted abilities to solve every problem.
• Avoid making them overly arrogant or condescending towards others.
• Avoid making their Gifted abilities the sole defining aspect of their character.
• Avoid making them socially awkward or unable to connect with others emotionally.
• Avoid making Gifted characters perfect or flawless in every way.
• Avoid making them overly isolated or detached from the world around them.
• Avoid making them always serious or lacking a sense of humor.

Negatives of being gifted

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

• Feeling misunderstood or misdiagnosed by professionals who may not recognize giftedness as a unique trait.
• Feeling isolated from peers who may not understand or relate to your interests and abilities.
• Experiencing pressure to excel or live up to high expectations from others or yourself.
• Struggling with perfectionism and fear of failure.
• Struggling with boredom and frustration in traditional educational settings.
• Having difficulty finding challenging and engaging opportunities to further develop skills and talents.
• Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information and stimuli to process.

Positives of being gifted

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

• Ability to learn quickly and easily
• Intense curiosity and desire for knowledge
• Ability to think deeply and critically
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership potential
• Unique perspectives and insights
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• High levels of creativity and imagination
• Strong memory and retention abilities

Verbal expressions of gifted characters

Here are some potential expressions used by gifted characters.

• Great attention to detail
• Tendency to think outside the box and challenge the status quo
• Expressive and eloquent in speech
• Ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated topics
• Keen problem-solving skills
• Ability to grasp complex concepts easily
• Advanced vocabulary and linguistic skills
• Natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge
• Quick-witted and articulate

Relationships of gifted characters

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

• They may also struggle with social skills or emotional intelligence, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.
• In relationships with non-gifted individuals, they may feel misunderstood or frustrated by a lack of intellectual stimulation.
• Gifted individuals may have a tendency to dominate conversations or come across as condescending due to their intelligence.
• Gifted people may struggle to find peers who share their interests and abilities, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• Gifted individuals may gravitate towards other gifted individuals for friendship and romantic relationships, but may also experience competition or envy within these relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are gifted

• Matilda Wormwood from "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
• Ender Wiggin from "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
• Harry Potter from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Percy Jackson from the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series by Rick Riordan
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collins
• Jean Grey from the "X-Men" comics by Marvel
• Sherlock Holmes from the "Sherlock Holmes" series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson
• John Coffey from "The Green Mile" by Stephen King

Writing exercises for writing gifted characters

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

• Write a scene where your character's gift is put to the test: Write a scene where your character's gift is put to the test in a high-stakes situation. This will help you show how your character responds under pressure and highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
• Explore the origin of your character's gift: Where did your character's gift come from? Was it something they were born with or did they develop it through hard work and practice? Understanding the origin of their gift can help you write a more nuanced and complex character.
• Write a scene where your character's gift is challenged: It's important to show that even gifted characters have flaws and limitations. Write a scene where your character's gift is challenged, forcing them to think creatively to overcome the obstacle.
• Show how your character's gift affects their relationships: Being gifted can impact how your character relates to others. Show how their gift affects their relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. For example, a gifted scientist might struggle to relate to their less scientifically-minded partner.
• Have your character demonstrate their giftedness in a scene: Show your character performing a task that highlights their gift. For example, if your character is a gifted musician, show them playing a complex piece of music flawlessly.
• Show the downside of being gifted: While being gifted can be an advantage, it can also come with downsides. Show your character struggling with the downside of their gift. For example, if your character is a gifted writer, show them struggling with writer's block or feeling isolated because they can't relate to others.