Character Trait: Giving

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait of Giving is the act of being generous, empathetic, and selfless towards others. It is the quality of prioritizing the needs of others above your own, and willingly offering your time, resources, and support to help them achieve their goals or overcome their challenges. A Giving character is motivated by a sense of kindness, compassion, and altruism, and derives their satisfaction and happiness from the well-being and success of those around them. They are often seen as a source of inspiration, trust, and gratitude by the people they interact with, and can become powerful agents of positive change in their communities.

Possible causes of being giving

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

• Personality traits: Altruism, kindness, and compassion are personality traits that may predispose someone to have a giving nature.
• Upbringing: A person's upbringing, such as being raised in a family that values giving and generosity, can shape their personality and behavior.
• Empathy: People with a giving personality often possess a high degree of empathy, which enables them to understand and feel the needs of others.
• Beliefs and values: Personal beliefs and values, such as a sense of duty to help others, can also contribute to a giving personality.
• Life experiences: Experiences such as volunteering, participating in community service, or witnessing acts of kindness can inspire and reinforce a giving nature.

Behaviors associated with being giving

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

• Offering help without being asked
• Sharing time, resources, or knowledge with others
• Putting others' needs before one's own
• Forgiving and understanding towards others
• Being generous with compliments and praise
• Being selfless and humble in one's actions
• Donating money or possessions to charity
• Volunteering in one's community
• Being empathetic and supportive of others

Attitudes associated with being giving

You may be able to show giving through their attitudes.

• Compassion
• Openness
• Selflessness
• Empathy
• Generosity
• Altruism
• Acceptance
• Kindness
• Fairness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being giving

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

• They may struggle with setting boundaries and asserting themselves in relationships.
• They may have a hard time saying "no" to others, even when it's not in their best interest.
• They may feel guilty for not giving enough or not being able to help everyone they want to.
• They may feel unappreciated or taken advantage of when their giving is not reciprocated.
• They may have a fear of being seen as selfish if they prioritize their own needs.
• A Giving character may struggle with finding a balance between giving to others and taking care of their own needs.

Emotions associated with being giving

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

• Openness
• Gratitude
• Forgiveness
• Generosity
• Kindness
• Empathy
• Selflessness
• Compassion
• Altruism

Facial expressions associated with being giving

Here are some facial expressions your giving character may exhibit.

• A look of concern or empathy when listening to others
• A gentle nod
• A warm smile
• Soft eyes that convey kindness
• A sense of calmness and patience, even in difficult situations
• A gentle touch on the arm or hand
• Open body language, such as uncrossed arms and relaxed shoulders
• A small, sincere laugh
• A slight tilt of the head

Body language associated with being giving

Here is some body language your giving character may exhibit.

• Touching the other person's arm or shoulder
• Being patient and attentive during conversations
• Warm and open posture
• Leaning in towards the other person
• Giving verbal affirmations, such as "yes" or "uh-huh"
• Frequent smiles and eye contact
• Nodding and tilting the head to show interest
• Offering help or support in words and actions
• Encouraging the other person to speak and share their ideas

Behaviors associated with being giving

Here are some behaviors your giving character may exhibit.

• Sharing time, resources, or knowledge with others
• Volunteering in one's community
• Offering help without being asked
• Donating money or possessions to charity
• Being selfless and humble in one's actions
• Putting others' needs before one's own
• Being generous with compliments and praise
• Forgiving and understanding towards others
• Being empathetic and supportive of others

Growth and evolution of giving characters

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

• The Giving character may become more adept at recognizing when giving is appropriate and beneficial, versus when it may be enabling or harmful.
• They may learn to appreciate and value themselves, rather than only deriving self-worth from their ability to give to others.
• They may learn to communicate their generosity in a way that is clear and meaningful, rather than assuming others will understand or appreciate their efforts.
• The Giving character may learn to receive help and support from others, rather than always being the one to offer it.
• They may learn to give in ways that are more sustainable and effective, rather than simply giving without thought or intention.
• The Giving character may learn to set healthy boundaries and say "no" when necessary, rather than constantly giving to the point of exhaustion.
• They may learn to identify and address their own needs and desires, rather than always putting others first.
• The Giving character may develop more empathy and understanding for those who struggle to give, and learn to accept and support them without judgement.

Stereotypes of giving characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical giving character like these examples.

• The "Fixer": A character who believes they know what's best for everyone and takes it upon themselves to fix others' problems without their consent.
• The "Martyr": A character who constantly sacrifices themselves for others to the point of self-neglect or harm.
• The "Enabler": A character who enables others' negative behaviors or addictions instead of encouraging them to seek help or make positive changes.
• The "Doormat": A character who allows others to walk all over them and doesn't stand up for themselves.

Negatives of being giving

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

• Feeling guilty or obligated to continue giving even when it becomes detrimental to oneself.
• Difficulty setting boundaries and saying "no" to requests, leading to burnout and exhaustion.
• Being taken advantage of by others who may not reciprocate the giving behavior.
• Attracting people who only seek to exploit one's generosity.
• Overcompensating for one's own insecurities or past experiences by constantly giving to others.
• Giving too much may lead to neglecting one's own needs and well-being.

Positives of being giving

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

• It can improve one's self-esteem and sense of worth.
• It can help to develop a sense of empathy and understanding towards others.
• Giving can create a sense of community and belonging.
• It brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to one's life.
• Giving can help to reduce stress and boost mental health.
• Giving helps to build stronger relationships with others.
• It can create a positive ripple effect in the world, making it a better place.
• Giving can inspire others to be more generous and compassionate.
• Giving can lead to new opportunities and experiences.

Verbal expressions of giving characters

Here are some potential expressions used by giving characters.

• "What can I do to make things easier for you?"
• "I understand how you feel."
• "Let me know if you need anything."
• "Take my seat."
• "How can I help?"
• "You can count on me."
• "I'm happy to assist."
• "You go first."
• "I'll share my resources with you."

Relationships of giving characters

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

• Giving people may be seen as selfless and caring, which can create a dynamic of trust and admiration in their relationships.
• Giving people may prioritize harmony and cooperation in their relationships, which can create a dynamic of compromise and collaboration.
• Giving people tend to have a generous nature, which can create a dynamic of gratitude and appreciation in their relationships.
• Giving people may be seen as supportive and nurturing, which can create a dynamic of emotional intimacy and vulnerability in their relationships.
• They may also be prone to overextending themselves, which can create a dynamic of burnout or exhaustion.
• However, they may also struggle with setting boundaries or saying no, which can lead to a dynamic of resentment or frustration on both sides.
• They may also have a tendency to put others' needs before their own, which can lead to a dynamic of reliance or even codependency in some cases.

Examples from books of characters who are giving

• Marmee March from "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Dumbledore from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Sydney Carton from "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Writing exercises for writing giving characters

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

• Show your character forgiving someone who has wronged them
• Show your character putting others' needs before their own
• Show your character going out of their way to make someone feel included or appreciated
• Have your character volunteer at a local charity or organization
• Write a scene where your character offers help to someone in need, without expecting anything in return
• Show your character offering words of encouragement or support to someone going through a tough time
• Write a scene where your character stands up for someone who is being mistreated
• Write a scene where your character gives a heartfelt gift to someone they care about
• Write a scene where your character sacrifices something important to help someone else