CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

NICE GUY/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:
Nice guys and girls are decent, kind, morally upright, and are generally liked by everyone. They're similar in personality to the Girl or Boy Next Door, but while the latter is often a love interest for the protagonist, nice people make great friends and allies.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings), Beth (Little Women), Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses), Neville Longbottom (the Harry Potter series), Goose (Top Gun)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AFFECTIONATE, CAUTIOUS, COURAGEOUS, EASYGOING, EMPATHETIC, FRIENDLY, GENEROUS, HONEST, HONORABLE, HUMBLE, INNOCENT, JUST, KIND, LOYAL, NURTURING, PATIENT, RESPONSIBLE, SENSIBLE, SUPPORTIVE, TRUSTING, WISE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CHILDISH, COWARDLY, FOOLISH, GULLIBLE, INDECISIVE, INHIBITED, INSECURE, NEEDY, OVERSENSITIVE, SUBSERVIENT, TIMID, WEAK-WILLED, WORRYWART

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being a good listener
Thinking more about others than about themselves
Being protective of friends and family
Authenticity
Checking on people regularly
Being a great ally and friend
Remembering birthdays and personal events
Being reliable in an emergency
Offering to help clean up and do other menial tasks
Being trustworthy
Picking up the tab
Bringing unexpected gifts
Forgiving and forgetting past slights
Always having the other person's back
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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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