CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

HOTSHOT



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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:
Talented and successful in their field, this character is cocky and loves taking risks. While hotshots have often been written with static arcs (as characters whose flaws don't need addressing) recent years have seen a revisitation of these characters as ones with weaknesses that need to be addressed.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Jack Reacher (the Jack Reacher series), James Bond (the James Bond series), Maverick (Top Gun), Han Solo (A New Hope), Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ALERT, BOLD, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, DECISIVE, EFFICIENT, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PERCEPTIVE, PERSISTENT, RESOURCEFUL, SPONTANEOUS, TALENTED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, ADDICTIVE, COCKY, COMPULSIVE, CONFRONTATIONAL, IMPATIENT, IMPULSIVE, INFLEXIBLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, MACHO, OBSESSIVE, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, STUBBORN, UNCOOPERATIVE, VINDICTIVE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Refusing to follow rules or protocol
Preferring to work alone
Being able to read a room and assess people and threats
Being an adrenaline junkie
Freely speaking their mind
Being expert in a certain area (marksmanship, flying a plane, fighting, gambling, etc.)
Not caring what others think of them
Keeping an atypical schedule
Needing to be in control
Being the strong silent type
Having a strong sense of duty
Not showing their true emotions (or not being in touch with them)
Living by their own timetable—i.e.
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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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