CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL



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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:
These characters (no longer confined to the female gender) are quirky, attractive, energetic, and have a zest for life. Traditionally, they lack their own arc and exist to teach the protagonist important life lessons.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Alaska Young (Looking for Alaska), Maria (The Sound of Music), Augustus Waters (The Fault in Our Stars), Luna Lovegood (The Harry Potter series), Daisy Buchanan (The Great Gatsby)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
CHARMING, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, CREATIVE, EASYGOING, EMPATHETIC, ENTHUSIASTIC, FRIENDLY, GENEROUS, HAPPY, IDEALISTIC, INDEPENDENT, INNOCENT, KIND, OPTIMISTIC, PLAYFUL, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, SPONTANEOUS, SPUNKY, SUPPORTIVE, UNINHIBITED, WHIMSICAL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CATTY, CHILDISH, DISORGANIZED, EXTRAVAGANT, FLAKY, FOOLISH, FORGETFUL, FRIVOLOUS, GULLIBLE, IMPULSIVE, INATTENTIVE, INDECISIVE, IRRESPONSIBLE, MELODRAMATIC, MISCHIEVOUS, NEEDY, RECKLESS, SCATTERBRAINED

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Showing up fashionably late to everything
Seeing the humor in things
Being perpetually upbeat and optimistic
Having seemingly unlimited energy (maybe being hyperactive and/or jittery)
Enjoying social events and activities
Being an avid shopper
Not caring what others think about them
Thinking outside the box
Helping others, even when it requires a personal sacrifice
Marching to their own drumbeat
Talking to themselves
Resisting routines and schedules
Believing in things others dismiss as silly or foolish
Daydreaming; living in their own world
Excelling at lightening the mood or cheering people up
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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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