CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

COWBOY



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
The traditional cowboy or rancher

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist (Brokeback Mountain), Woody (the Toy Story franchise), Curly (City Slickers), John Dutton (Yellowstone)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, CALM, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, HONORABLE, HUMBLE, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, NATURE-FOCUSED, OBSERVANT, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, RESOURCEFUL, SIMPLE, TRADITIONAL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, COCKY, IMPULSIVE, INFLEXIBLE, MACHO, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, STINGY, STUBBORN, TACTLESS, UNCOOPERATIVE, UNCOMMUNICATIVE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Preferring solitude
Being a hard worker
Having simple needs—not being fussy about what they eat or where they sleep
Preferring to be outdoors
Having strong knowledge of local plant and animal life
Having a way with animals and being fond of them
Being humble
Listening more than speaking
Being soft spoken but direct and honest with their words
Having an intuitive feel for what's happening with the weather
Harboring a deep appreciation of and respect for nature
Being handy
Having no patience for nonsense
Maintaining long-term relationships with neighbors, suppliers, local merchants, etc.
Being calm and not easily riled up
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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