CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

HARD-BOILED DETECTIVE



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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:
This conventional detective is tough, tenacious, and street smart. Traditionally male, he won't give up until he's solved his case.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Philip Marlowe (The Big Sleep), Dick Tracy (Dick Tracy), Harry Bosch (the Bosch series), Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Jake Gittes (Chinatown)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ANALYTICAL, BOLD, CURIOUS, DECISIVE, EFFICIENT, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, JUST, METICULOUS, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PATIENT, PERCEPTIVE, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, PRIVATE, RESOURCEFUL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, ADDICTIVE, ANTISOCIAL, CALLOUS, COCKY, CONFRONTATIONAL, CYNICAL, EVASIVE, OBSESSIVE, PUSHY, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, STUBBORN, SUSPICIOUS, VINDICTIVE, VIOLENT, VOLATILE, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being street smart
Thinking carefully before speaking
Being adept at seeing the big picture from smaller clues
Seeing patterns that aren't readily visible to others
Refusing to give up on a case
Being a night owl
Believing in justice at any cost
Being a man of few words
Using unorthodox methods to solve a case
Staying true to what they believe, even when they're the only one who thinks that way
Knowing how to navigate the sketchier parts of town
Not always following the rules
Preferring to work alone
Being unable to trust people (or being highly suspicious of them)
Being secretive with personal details
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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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