CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

FEMME FATALE



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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:
A mysterious woman who easily seduces others into situations that ensnare or incriminate them. She may purposefully use her seductive nature to get what she wants, or it may just be the way she is. The latter femme fatales may be conflicted and feel remorse for the harm they bring their romantic targets.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Emma Bovary (Madame Bovary), Catherine Trammel (Basic Instinct), Amy Dunne (Gone Girl), Cersei Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire), Circe (The Odyssey)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, DECISIVE, FLIRTATIOUS, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INTELLIGENT, OBSERVANT, PERSUASIVE, PLAYFUL, RESOURCEFUL, SENSUAL, SOPHISTICATED, UNINHIBITED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COCKY, CONTROLLING, CRUEL, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, EVIL, EXTRAVAGANT, IMPULSIVE, MANIPULATIVE, MATERIALISTIC, MELODRAMATIC, RECKLESS, SELFISH, SLEAZY, UNETHICAL, VAIN, VINDICTIVE, VOLATILE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Acting unpredictably
Being found fascinating by others
Easily standing her ground
Enjoying having all eyes in the room on her
Being street smart
Enjoying being single and independent
Taking care of her body
Being financially independent
Being a talented conversationalist
Having expensive tastes
Dressing provocatively
Being sexually uninhibited
Being mysterious and secretive about her personal life
Handily charming people into doing what she wants
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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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