CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

CREATOR (ARCHETYPE)



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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:
Imaginative and highly driven, these characters are the artists, inventors, and scientists who feel compelled to create something totally new and innovative. Their motivation may come from a desire to write a wrong, solve a problem, meet a need, fill a personal void, or simply provide fulfillment for themselves.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein), Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Jo March (Little Women), Mozart (Amadeus), Zeus (Greek mythology)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CREATIVE, CURIOUS, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, IDEALISTIC, IMAGINATIVE, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INSPIRATIONAL, INTELLIGENT, METICULOUS, PASSIONATE, PERSISTENT, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, TALENTED, UNINHIBITED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COMPULSIVE, DISORGANIZED, IRRESPONSIBLE, MANIPULATIVE, OVERSENSITIVE, PERFECTIONIST, POSSESSIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, STUBBORN, UNCOOPERATIVE, VOLATILE, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being a visionary; imagining things that don't yet exist
Thinking outside the box
Asking lots of questions
Being gifted in a given area (science, music, art, coding, etc.)
Using unconventional methods
Being highly disciplined where work is concerned
Embracing risk
Making personal sacrifices to bring their vision to fruition
Recognizing failure as a necessary part of the process
Having a long-haul perspective; understanding that creation is a process that takes timePreferring to work alone
Being hyper-focused on their work, to the exclusion of everything else
Difficulty managing their time
Struggling with deadlines
Being impatient with details and minutia
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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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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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