CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

WITCH IN THE WOODS



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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 lives outside of town and is visited by people looking for spells, potions, cures, or psychic guidance. Often possessing specific knowledge, she is associated with magic, herbalism, and supernatural abilities.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Circe (The Odyssey), Morgana le Fay (the Arthurian legend), the Weird Sisters (Macbeth), the sea witch (The Little Mermaid)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
CENTERED, CREATIVE, CURIOUS, DISCREET, INDEPENDENT, INTROVERTED, NATURE-FOCUSED, OBJECTIVE, PRIVATE, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, SIMPLE, SPIRITUAL, STUDIOUS, TALENTED, THRIFTY

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, ANTISOCIAL, DEVIOUS, DISRESPECTFUL, EVASIVE, EVIL, HOSTILE, IRRATIONAL, MANIPULATIVE, MISCHIEVOUS, NOSY, SUPERSTITIOUS, SUSPICIOUS, UNCOOPERATIVE, UNCOUTH, UNETHICAL, VINDICTIVE, WITHDRAWN

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Living in an isolated area
Having no deep relationships or friendships with people
Having an animal familiar
Self-reliance; having her own food and water source, making her own clothes, etc.
Having knowledge of plants and their uses
Using crystals for magical and non-magical purposes
Having a connection with and seeking to protect the natural world
Speaking in riddles
Being shrouded in mystery
Having deep knowledge of the arcane arts
Possessing extraordinary powers
Being a link in a chain of ancient wisdom
Being able to speak with spirits or see visions
Being able to heal with herbalism or magic
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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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