Get the 1,100 Character Traits List and Give Your Readers What They Crave Most

If you’re looking for a robust character traits list, you’ve come to the right place. Use these 1,100 traits to develop dynamic characters.

By: Grant P. Ferguson

Last Updated: February 19, 2024

Populate your novel with fictional people who leap from the pages. I scoured the cyber universe and compiled a 1,100 list and sorted into five categories.

Positive
Negative
Personality
Physical
Value, Moral, or Belief

Why Use a Character Traits List?

Use it to make your complex characters come alive!

Why Get this List?

As you write, you’re looking for ways to engage readers.

The audience wants more than flat, two-dimensional people. They crave the emotions of characters they can relate to. When readers discover characters who react realistically to plot events, they’re more likely to finish a novel and also get the author’s next book.

As a writer, you’re in control of the content, and this list will help you engage readers.

Trellis Method Includes the Character Traits List

The document comes with the Trellis Method’s Story Characters Development Workbook and worksheet, incorporating a comprehensive list to aid writers.

Get the Trellis Method

What’s your process for fleshing out the traits list of dynamic characters?

Dynamic Characters Examples and Guide

What Are Story Character Types?

Character Template

10 responses to “Get the 1,100 Character Traits List and Give Your Readers What They Crave Most”

D. Wallace Peach

I have a pretty long list, but not 1,000! Lol. Thanks so much for the resource, Grant. You’re the best.

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Dana at Regular Girl Devos

Great resource, thanks Grant!

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Jacqui Murray

What an amazing list. I do struggle with those at times.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book!
  
  I appreciate you, Jacqui. Perhaps the teachers you know who teach writing would appreciate a copy.
  
  Reply
harmonykentonline

Brilliant, Grant. Huge thanks 💕🙂

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book!
  
  Thanks, Harmony. Good to hear from you and hope you’re doing well!
  
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Hope

I’m always impressed by your content. Thank you for supplying writers with so many valuable tools. Grace and peace to you, Grant.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book!
  
  I appreciate your kind words, Hope. The list proves useful in so many ways. For example, it’s a great way to ‘tag’ characters, making them easy to identify while writing and also to helping readers recognize them in different settings (e.g., positive and negative mannerisms; body language).
  
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Priscilla Bettis

All your posts are so helpful and generous. Thank you, Grant!

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book!
  
  You’re welcome, Priscilla. This was a fun challenge. In the future, I’ll write a post and show how we can put the list to work.
  
  Reply