CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

WELL-MANNERED THIEF



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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 is a professional (freelance or for-hire) thief who is polite, cultured, and full of charm.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Selina Kyle/Catwoman (the DC Universe), Thomas Crown (The Thomas Crown Affair), Danny Ocean (Oceans 11), Virginia “Gin” Baker (Entrapment)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, CALM, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, COOPERATIVE, COURTEOUS, DISCREET, FOCUSED, FRIENDLY, INTELLIGENT, METICULOUS, OBSERVANT, ORGANIZED, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, PROFESSIONAL, PROPER, RESOURCEFUL, SOPHISTICATED, WITTY

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COCKY, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, EVASIVE, EXTRAVAGANT, GREEDY, MATERIALISTIC, OBSESSIVE, PERFECTIONIST, PRETENTIOUS, SELFISH, VAIN, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being polite and charming
Being highly intelligent
Having an elegant and impeccable sense of fashion
Thinking strategically
Having a long-haul mentality (as opposed to thinking in the short term)
Being resourceful
Being a master of disguise
Appreciating art, culture, or fine food and surroundings
Taking advantage of opportunities as they come along
Being clever
Easily evading capture
Maintaining a socially acceptable public persona
Adapting quickly to changing circumstances
Embracing new technologies and methods
Excelling at skills required for thievery, such as lock-picking, safe-cracking, stealth, etc.
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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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