CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

FREE SPIRIT



Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to access the Character Type And Trope Thesaurus, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

CHOOSE MY PLAN

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:
This character walks to the beat of their own drum and is comfortable being different. Because they don't conform to traditional norms, they also don't expect others to do so, which makes them highly tolerant individuals.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Luna Lovegood (the Harry Potter series), Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre), Phoebe Buffet (Friends), Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, CREATIVE, CURIOUS, ENTHUSIASTIC, HAPPY, IDEALISTIC, IMAGINATIVE, INDEPENDENT, PASSIONATE, PLAYFUL, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, SPONTANEOUS, SPUNKY, UNINHIBITED, WHIMSICAL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CHILDISH, DISORGANIZED, FLAKY, FOOLISH, FORGETFUL, FRIVOLOUS, IMPULSIVE, INATTENTIVE, IRRESPONSIBLE, MISCHIEVOUS, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, SCATTERBRAINED, SELF-INDULGENT, TEMPERAMENTAL

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Thinking for themselves; not being easily led
Shunning routines and systems
Frequently challenging conventions just by being themselves, in a non-confrontational way
Enjoying solitude
Easily standing up for themselves
Being unconcerned with what others think
Eagerly trying new things
Being curious
Ignoring naysayers and pessimists
Being a trendsetter
Expressing themselves creatively
Being unpredictable
Empathizing with others who are minimized, made fun of, or not taken seriously
Valuing freedom; not wanting to be tied to down (to places, people, responsibilities, expectations, etc.)
...

FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
...

SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
...

INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
...

CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
...

TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
...

UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
...

CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
...

...