CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

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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:
A miserable miser who is too busy making money or protecting their wealth to care much about others.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), Fagin (Oliver Twist), The Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Mr. Potter (It's a Wonderful Life)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, EFFICIENT, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, METICULOUS, ORGANIZED, PERSISTENT, RESOURCEFUL, THRIFTY

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, APATHETIC, CALLOUS, CONTROLLING, CRUEL, CYNICAL, FUSSY, GREEDY, GRUMPY, HAUGHTY, INFLEXIBLE, JUDGMENTAL, OBSESSIVE, POSSESSIVE, PRETENTIOUS, SELFISH, STINGY, SUSPICIOUS, TACTLESS, UNCOOPERATIVE, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being shrewd and clever
Having a knack for making money
Being detail-oriented
Obsessing about acquiring wealth over all else
Being miserly and ungenerous
Despising pursuits they consider frivolous or unnecessary
Hoarding possessions and money
Valuing profit over human needs
Lacking compassion or empathy for others
Being married to their work
Holding prejudicial ideas about those in financial difficulty (they're irresponsible, they're to blame for their situation, etc.)
Despising the joy of others, especially when it's found in simple things or relationships
Exploiting people when the opportunity arises
Seeing others through the lens of their usefulness
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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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