The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes

384 Pages·2013·1.52 MB·English

by  Angela Ackerman

THE POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS:

A WRITER’S GUIDE TO CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES

Angela Ackerman
Becca Puglisi
Copyright 2013 © by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi Published by: JADD
Publishing

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in print, audio or
electronic form without prior permission of the authors. Please respect the hard
work of the authors and do not participate in or encourage the piracy of
copyrighted materials. All rights reserved http://writershelpingwriters.net

ISBN: 978-0-9897725-3-2

Original Source: The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character
Attributes, by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi Paperback Edition: October
2013 (ISBN: 978-0-9897725-1-8)

Edited in part by: C. S. Lakin (http://www.livewritethrive.com)
Book cover design by: Scarlett Rugers Design 2013
http://www.scarlettrugers.com
Book formatting by: Polgarus Studio
http://www.polgarusstudio.com
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Angela Ackerman is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators (SCBWI) and writes on the darker side of Middle Grade and Young
Adult. When she isn’t creating new writing tools or plotting mayhem, she’s
carefully deleting her browser history and pretending to live the life of a normal,
quiet Canadian.

Becca Puglisi is a YA fantasy and historical fiction writer who enjoys slurping
copious amounts of Mountain Dew and snarfing snacks that have no nutritional
value. She has always enjoyed contemplating the What if? scenario, which
serves her well in south Florida. As a result, during hurricane season, you can
find her stalking the local weather forecasters and muttering unkind words
toward the Atlantic.

Together, Angela and Becca host The Bookshelf Muse, an award-winning blog at
the Writers Helping Writers website. This resource offers a number of unique
thesauri to aid writers in their descriptive writing efforts. Their best-selling book,
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, is the first
in their “Writers Helping Writers” series.
MORE WRITERS HELPING WRITERS BOOKS
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression

The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Flaws

For more information on how to purchase these books or take advantage of the
authors’ many articles and free writing tools, please visit us at Writers Helping
Writers. You can also find Becca and Angela on Twitter, check out their
Facebook page or sign up for their Newsletter, which offers a treasure trove of
content for writers.
DEDICATIONS
To my parents, who taught me who I am, who I should be, and—most
importantly—who I belong to.

—Becca Puglisi

To Darian and Jarod, my greatest achievements. (Cheesy, but true!)
—Angela Ackerman

A multitude of thanks to everyone who visits The Bookshelf Muse blog at
Writers Helping Writers. We appreciate your endless support.

—A & B
PRAISE FOR THE EMOTION THESAURUS
“One of the challenges a fiction writer faces, especially when prolific, is coming
up with fresh ways to describe emotions. This handy compendium fills that need.
It is both a reference and a brainstorming tool, and one of the resources I’ll be
turning to most often as I write my own books.”

- James Scott Bell, best-selling author of Deceived and Plot & Structure

PRAISE FOR THE POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS
AND THE NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

“In these brilliantly conceived, superbly organized and astonishingly thorough
volumes, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi have created an invaluable
resource for writers and storytellers. Whether you are searching for new and
unique ways to add and define characters, or brainstorming methods for
revealing those characters without resorting to clichés, it is hard to imagine two
more powerful tools for adding depth and dimension to your screenplays, novels
or plays.”

- Michael Hauge, Hollywood script consultant and story expert, author of
Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The
Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword, by Jeannie Campbell, LMFT
The Ultimate Hook: Characters Worth Rooting For
What is a Positive Attribute?
Needs and Morals: Influencers on Character Strengths
The Different Categories of Positive Attributes
How Positive Attributes Develop
Positive Attributes and Character Arc: Overcoming the Fatal Flaw
Building Characters from the Ground Up: Choosing the Right Attributes
Positive Attributes and Villains
Things to Know About Your Character’s Positive Attributes
How to Show Your Character’s Attributes
When Readers Aren’t Interested: Common Pitfalls in Character Creation
The Positive Attribute Thesaurus
Adaptable
Adventurous
Affectionate
Alert
Ambitious
Analytical
Appreciative
Bold
Calm
Cautious
Centered
Charming
Confident
Cooperative
Courageous
Courteous
Creative
Curious
Decisive
Diplomatic
Disciplined
Discreet
Easygoing
Efficient
Empathetic
Enthusiastic
Extroverted
Flamboyant
Flirtatious
Focused
Friendly
Funny
Generous
Gentle
Happy
Honest
Honorable
Hospitable
Humble
Idealistic
Imaginative
Independent
Industrious
Innocent
Inspirational
Intelligent
Introverted
Just
Kind
Loyal
Mature
Merciful
Meticulous
Nature-Focused
Nurturing
Obedient
Objective
Observant
Optimistic
Organized