Hello lovelies! How are you? Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post about traits I dislike like in characters, I found that one much easier to write. I don’t think that’s because I’m a negative person who enjoys being salty about things. I just find it easier to put my finger on what isn’t working, than what is.
When I don’t like a character, I could write a whole power point presentation about all their flaws. But when I like a character? Or love them, even? That’s when the magic happens. The curtain drops and I have no clue what’s going on behind it. I don’t know why I love them – I just do. The reasons we love anyone or anything in this world are as messy and ineffable as love itself and they don’t always make sense.
Two of my favorite characters of all time are Lorelai Gilmore and Luke Danes. He’s a grumpy guy with a tough exterior and a big heart, she’s an outgoing, confident, fast-talker. Does that mean I like grumpy characters? Outgoing characters? Yes and no? Not really? It’s way more complex than that.
I like characters who feel real to me. Characters who are complex and messy, who have good sides and bad sides, who are flawed, but trying, well-meaning, but occasionally wrong. Characters who are vulnerable, real and human.
That’s not even mentioning how a trait that’s lovable in one characters, because it’s so perfectly balanced by another aspect of their personality, can be insufferable in another. Or how I have a tendency to fall head over heels for female characters who possess the same traits that make me want to drown male characters? I’m nothing if not inconsistent.
So how do I sum all this up in a neat little list of traits? I have no idea. But I’m going to try. Please try to ignore the fact that this rambly intro is probably longer than the post itself, I just have a lot of feelings…
THEY’RE CUNNING
I’m a proud Slytherin, so you know I love a cunning character. I’ve always had a thing for the tricksters, the silver tongued rogues who are always two steps ahead and can lie and scheme their way out of anything. One of my favorite things about His Dark Materials is that the heroine and one of the main antagonists are both female characters whose greatest weapons are their cunning minds. Lyra’s literally known as Lyra Silvertounge because she’s such a good liar.
(On the other hand I love characters like Eddard Stark, who are so stubbornly honorable they’re incapable of deceit. So this list already makes no sense. Cool.)
THEY’RE LOYAL
I’m a fiercely loyal person, so I’m always shocked and outraged when a character betrays someone trust. And I love reading about characters who are deeply loyal to their friends and family. One of the reasons I adore the found family trope, is that it almost always explores the dynamics of a group of characters who might have their issues witch each other – but who are fiercely loyal despite that and would do literally anything to keep each other safe. Like the friend group in The Sky Fell on Splendor, who bicker like at least 5 old married couples, but always have each other’s backs.
THEY’RE BOLD
Fortune favors the bold and so do I, apparently. It’s just so much more fun to read about characters who say what they want, break the rules and chase their heart’s desires. There’s a reason Vasya, from The Bear and the Nightingale is my favorite character of all time. She’s not afraid to speak her truth or do what she knows is right. Her will bends to no man or god and she defies anyone who tries to make her feel small. She’s as bold as they come and I heart her a lot.
THEY’RE WITTY
Listen, I’m trash for good dialogue ok? Why do you think I love Gilmore Girls so much. I live for witty group texts in contemporaries, flirty banter in romance and sarcastic barbs in fantasy novels. I can’t not fall in love with a sassy villain and good comebacks make me swoon. #teamolenna
THEY’RE SOFT
I’m a classic Slytherin, with a soft spot for Hufflepuffs (someone please recommend me some books with this dynamic) and I always fall for the soft ones. I adore the kind, gentle, pure hearted characters. Soft boys who bake and give long hugs? Grumpy dudes who act tough, but are secretly sweethearts? Cinnamon roll girls who radiate love and good vibes? Sarcastic girls with sharp edges, who will do anything to protect their friends? I love all of them all of the time.
What character traits do you like in fictional characters?
Cunning characters for the win. Always my favorite trait.
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Yes! Cunning characters are the best!
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I know exactly what you mean about not being able to put a finger on what makes you love a character. It really is much easier to spot the things that don’t work!
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YESSSS!!! I feel the same! Cunning makes for such a great trait!😁
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YES! Cunning characters are so fascinating to read about!
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Ahhh another great list, I can relate to so many of these – and … it made me so happy you mentioned Lorelai and Luke and ahhh I miss Gilmore Girls. I love witty, bold characters and yes to loyalty, too! ❤
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Thank you so much! I’ll literally take any excuse to talk about Gilmore Girls, I miss it so much ❤️
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Me too! 😦 ❤
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Witty, cunning characters are my greatest weakness. I love all the dialogue and scheme that result from reading these kinds of characters.
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Mine too! I love a good schemer, they keep the plot interesting!
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I love a good flawed character. I don’t think the perfect characters are at all relatable. Give me flawed women any day of the week. Also, all the banter please! Cunning is a must as well – it’s so fun to read about.
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I couldn’t agree more! Perfect characters aren’t relatable to me either and I don’t find them very interesting, like if they’re already perfect where can their arc even go? Flawed, messy characters are so much more dynamic and interesting to read about 😊
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I love this post! (Hello, fellow Slytherin <3) From the second I read the title my mind was „ Vasyaaa” and then I see you mention her! Yes, I completely agree with the traits you mentioned. I love strong characters, bold, courageous, who work on themselves and do not need someone to „complete” them, but that are also soft, empathetic and ask for help when they need it ( this last thing, at least for me, shows that we have a mature author/ character that understands that needing help is not a sign of weakness)
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Thank you so much! (Yay, fellow Slytherin 💚)
I feel exactly the same way, I love seeing character who are strong and independent, but who ask for help when they need it and accept it when it’s offered. Being strong doesn’t mean doing everything yourself!
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I love Lorelai! Witty and soft characters are my favourites.
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Lorelai’s the best ❤️ Same!
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I love the rough tough cruel seeming characters who are secretly soft lovable cinnamon rolls ❤
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ME TOO! Secret soft cinnamon rolls are everything ❤️
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I love the cunning characters! I always have a spot in my heart for soft characters, but if a programme only has soft characters I tend to tire of it quite quickly!
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Cunning characters are so fascinating! That makes sense, if a book or show only had one type of characters I think I’d get bored with it pretty quickly too.
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Your inconsistency is probably dead-on with most people, though, haha. Because same! AND YES, #TEAMOLENNA. She’s the best, seriously. Wit is truly such a necessity for a book to be really excellent, I think. I need to laugh, even just a little.
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I’m glad you can relate! So much yes, if a book can make me feel all the things AND make me laugh – it’s true love for me.
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Oh i love your ramble. Because you’re absolutely right, it’s sometimes SO hard to pin down why you love a character. There’s just so factors involved. Is it because they’re complex? Is it because they remind you of you or someone you love? Is it because it’s Tuesday and the full moon’s out and the stars are in the right position? Who knows??? And I just had a revelation yesterday that the traits I love in fantasy characters change depending on their profession/class. So I’m writing a post about that! Like, I love snarky witches but am bored to death of snarky assassins. If that makes sense!
And witty banter (esp between villain and hero) makes me swoon too. 😀
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Love this. Grumpy but soft and the description fits Jon perfectly. Who can hate Jon Snow? Nobody. Team Stark FTW!
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Thank you! Team Stark always ❤️
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Love this list! I love characters that feel real to me too. And I love all of these things (and how you connected them to GOT characters!!) hehehe you’re so right about how you described jon as well- grumpy but a softy!
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Thank you so much! I’m so glad you agree 😊 So soft and grumpy!
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