NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

GRUMPY



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Negative in nature; inclined to surliness

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Crabby, cranky, cross, curmudgeonly, dour, grouchy, ill-tempered, ornery, sulky, surly, unfriendly

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Chronic illness or pain
Dissatisfaction with what one has or what one has achieved
Pessimism
An aversion to frivolity or silliness
Wanting to maintain a “tough guy” persona
Dementia
Substance abuse
Guilt

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Believing that one is misunderstood
Smiling or laughing infrequently
Having a downcast expression with obvious frown lines
Taking a pessimistic view of things
Irritability
Snapping at people
Expressing contempt for those with a rosy outlook
Arguing for the sake of arguing, without any real passion
Lethargy
Not wanting to participate in activities
Having a slumped body posture
Giving dark looks
Being reclusive
Lack of charity
Not taking joy in the usual things (food, entertainment, etc....

ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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