CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

STARVING ARTIST



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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 talented artist is dedicated to a craft that doesn't meet their financial needs. They are often plagued by self-doubt and struggle to balance artistic endeavors with real-world responsibilities.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Cyrano (Cyrano de Bergerac), Theo Decker (The Goldfinch), Stephen Dedalus (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man), Cliff Stern (Crimes and Misdemeanors)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AMBITIOUS, CREATIVE, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, IDEALISTIC, IMAGINATIVE, INTELLIGENT, INTROVERTED, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PENSIVE, PERSISTENT, PHILOSOPHICAL, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, TALENTED, THRIFTY

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ADDICTIVE, ANTISOCIAL, COMPULSIVE, INHIBITED, INSECURE, IRRESPONSIBLE, JEALOUS, NEEDY, OBSESSIVE, PESSIMISTIC, RESENTFUL, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, STUBBORN, TEMPERAMENTAL, WITHDRAWN, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Scorning the system and popular society
Being comfortable with solitude and working alone
Being frugal and thrifty
Being intensely dedicated to their artistic practice
Making sacrifices for their art—e.g., foregoing food or sleep
Resourcefulness; being able to make do or fix things themselves
Taking risks with their work
Obsessing over their art rather than paying attention to the people around them
Doing odd jobs and side gigs to pay the bills
Always being on the lookout for inspiration
Working odd and long hours
Needing encouragement and being constantly beset by self-doubt 
Being disciplined about their work
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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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