CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

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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 knows exactly what they want and whose butt they have to kiss to get it. Their brownnosing behavior may be driven by a desire to be accepted by powerful people or deceive those in charge so they can further their own purposes.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice), Wormtongue/Grima (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Dwight K. Schrute (The Office), Eddie Haskell (Leave it to Beaver)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, ALERT, AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, BOLD, CAUTIOUS, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, DIPLOMATIC, DISCIPLINED, DISCREET, FOCUSED, INDUSTRIOUS, METICULOUS, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, RESOURCEFUL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CALLOUS, CATTY, COCKY, CONTROLLING, COWARDLY, CRUEL, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, GREEDY, HYPOCRITICAL, JEALOUS, JUDGMENTAL, MANIPULATIVE, NOSY, POSSESSIVE, PUSHY, SELFISH, UNETHICAL

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Allying with influential people
Flattering their superiors
Being a “yes man”
Seeking approval
Making sure their positive actions are noticed by others
Being highly ambitious
Deferring to the people they're trying to impress
Being able to read others well
Using their relationship with a powerful person to influence others and achieve an objective
Thinking strategically about how to get what they want
Being a chameleon—becoming the person they think the other person wants them to be
Overachieving to impress those in authority
Seeking opportunities to network with influential people
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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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