CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

LONER



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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 character lives an isolated life due to their inability to relate to or connect with others. Loners can be Rebels (and vice-versa), but because the former are more comfortable with their background status-quo, they don't typically seek to effect major change.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre), the Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Boo Radley (To Kill a Mockingbird), Eleanor Oliphant (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, CAUTIOUS, CONFIDENT, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, INTROVERTED, METICULOUS, OBSERVANT, ORGANIZED, PENSIVE, PHILOSOPHICAL, PRIVATE, QUIRKY, STUDIOUS, TALENTED

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, CYNICAL, GRUMPY, INHIBITED, INSECURE, JUDGMENTAL, NEEDY, NERVOUS, OBSESSIVE, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SELFISH, STUBBORN, SUSPICIOUS, TACTLESS, TIMID, WORKAHOLIC, WORRYWART

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Preferring to observe rather than engage with others
Living on the fringes
Avoiding crowds and large social gatherings
Having a quiet voice
Having understated mannerisms 
Preferring to work alone (and being more efficient that way)
Being sensitive to other people being bullied (because they were often bullied themselves)
Being quirky; having idiosyncrasies
Spending a lot of time in their own head 
Enjoying solitary hobbies, such as reading or long walks
Being accustomed to working or living alone and doing things their way
Thinking things through carefully before acting
Being a creature of routine
Having only a few very close friends
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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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