CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

HOPELESS ROMANTIC



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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:
Hopeless romantics love being in love and are eternally optimistic in the quest to find their soulmate. When that quest is born from an unmet need or past wounding event, it can become all-consuming, prioritized above everything (and everyone) else.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Marianne Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby), Giselle (Enchanted), Joan Wilder (Romancing the Stone)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AFFECTIONATE, CHARMING, ENTHUSIASTIC, EXTROVERTED, FLIRTATIOUS, FRIENDLY, FUNNY, GENEROUS, HAPPY, IDEALISTIC, KIND, PASSIONATE, PERCEPTIVE, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, SENSUAL, SENTIMENTAL, TRUSTING, WHIMSICAL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ADDICTIVE, FLAKY, GULLIBLE, IMPATIENT, IMPULSIVE, INSECURE, IRRATIONAL, JEALOUS, MANIPULATIVE, MELODRAMATIC, NEEDY, OBSESSIVE, OVERSENSITIVE, POSSESSIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, TEMPERAMENTAL, WEAK-WILLED, WHINY 

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Having a clear idea of who their perfect match should be
Always being on the lookout for someone who could be their soulmate
Noticing the little things about other people
Having a cheerful disposition
Believing in signs and destiny
Being gushy and/or over-emotional
Always thinking the best of a love interest
Being open-minded
Having creative hobbies and passions
Being willing to compromise and make sacrifices
Enjoying going out and being social
Always looking on the bright side and finding silver linings
Making dramatic gestures
Being affectionate
Spontaneity
Being idealistic about love and romance
Making direct eye contact with people
Being too trusting of people's intentions
Being so devoted to their lover that they marginalize or abandon other people
Living in their head
Forgiving others to the point of being taken advantage of
Being distracted from too much daydreaming
Feeling incomplete when they're not in a relationship
Allowing a relationship to take over their lives
Losing themselves in the person they're with 
Throwing themselves recklessly into a relationship

FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
A SECRET BEING REVEALED, BEING PHYSICALLY TOUCHED, BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, HAVING NO PURPOSE, INFIDELITY, NEVER FINDING HAPPINESS, NOT BEING IN CONTROL, REJECTION, RELATIONAL COMMITMENT, SEX, TRUSTING OTHERS

SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
Falling in love with someone they shouldn't (someone who's married, an abuser, isn't interested in long-term relationships, etc.)
Unrequited love
Being dumped by someone the character thought was "the one"
Close friends getting married while the character remains single
Being offered their dream job in another city (away from the one they love)
Learning information they must share with their beloved that's guaranteed to drive them away
Being rejected by their partner's family
Attracting someone dangerous
Loving someone the character's family doesn't approve of
Being pushed by friends to date a "perfect match" the character isn't drawn to

INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
Struggling with loneliness
Feeling insecure because they can't find a partner
Believing that only one person can make them happy, and despairing of finding that person
Worrying that they've "settled" for the person they're with
Being dumped and struggling with sadness or depression
Realizing the person they're with is bad for them but not wanting to be alone
Wanting to hurt the person who's broken their heart

CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
The hopeless romantic embroiled in a stereotypical love triangle, such as the plain girl, her best friend, and a hot guy at school
The romantic character who falls in love with someone at first sight
The romantic who believes they have just "one true love" and they must find that person
Hopeless romantics who are naïve, gullible, and innocent
The romantic whose desperation to find love lands her in one bad relationship after another

TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
Is street smart and savvy
Is romantic until things go wrong, at which point she becomes vindictive
Has trouble getting along with others
Is wildly successful in another area of life
Has an atypical trait: introverted, controlling, know-it-all, suspicious, meticulous, etc.

UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
AUTO MECHANIC, BOUNCER, BOUNTY HUNTER, BUSINESS TYCOON, CORONER, CORRECTIONS OFFICER (PRISON GUARD), CRIME SCENE CLEANER, HUMAN TEST SUBJECT, JUDGE, MILITARY OFFICER, PAROLE OFFICER, PROFESSIONAL POKER PLAYER, ROBOTICS ENGINEER, SECRET SERVICE AGENT

CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
Hopeless Romantic + Loner
Hopeless Romantic + Rebel
Hopeless Romantic + Monster Hunter
Hopeless Romantic + Scrooge
Hopeless Romantic + Thug

LOVER (ARCHETYPE)