To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "awful" typically refers to something that is extremely bad, unpleasant, or undesirable. When it comes to writing characters with this trait, it often implies that the character is highly disliked, feared, or seen as a villainous presence in the story. It's important to note that "awful" can also be subjective, and what one character perceives as awful may not be the same for others. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the context and perspective of the story when creating a character with this trait.

Possible causes of being awful

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Anger or resentment towards others
• Entitlement or narcissism
• Fear of vulnerability or intimacy
• Inability to empathize with others
• Lack of self-awareness or emotional intelligence
• Traumatic experiences in childhood or adulthood
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Negative influences from family or peers

For detailed feedback on awful characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character development checker.

Behaviors associated with being awful

You may be able to show your character's trait of awful by using these.

• Being selfish and self-centered
• Constantly complaining and being negative
• Being dishonest and deceitful
• Refusing to take responsibility for their actions
• Being rude and disrespectful towards others
• Blaming others for their own mistakes
• Intentionally hurting others physically or emotionally
• Disregarding the feelings and needs of others
• Gossiping and spreading rumors
• Acting entitled and expecting special treatment

Attitudes associated with being awful

You may be able to show awful through their attitudes.

• Manipulativeness
• Arrogance
• Ignorance
• Dishonesty
• Lack of empathy
• Contemptuousness
• Disrespectfulness
• Lack of self-awareness
• Stubbornness
• Cruelty
• Greed
• Impulsiveness
• Selfishness
• Intolerance

Thoughts and struggles associated with being awful

Here are some ideas for things your awful character may think or struggle with.

• Lack of empathy for others
• Guilt and shame over past actions
• Tendency to blame others for their problems
• Inability to trust others
• Negative self-talk and critical inner voice
• Anger and resentment towards others who have wronged them
• Self-loathing and low self-esteem
• Jealousy and envy towards others who appear more successful or happy
• Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
• Fear of rejection and abandonment

Emotions associated with being awful

Here are some ideas for emotions your awful character may experience.

• Arrogance
• Selfishness
• Cruelty
• Contempt
• Greed
• Inconsideration
• Insensitivity
• Malice
• Ruthlessness
• Betrayal
• Jealousy
• Manipulation
• Envy
• Dishonesty
• Disrespect

Facial expressions associated with being awful

Here are some facial expressions your awful character may exhibit.

• Rolling eyes in annoyance or dismissal
• Narrowed eyes
• Raised eyebrows in a condescending manner
• Sneering or curling the lip
• Scowling or frowning
• Tightening or pursing of lips
• Glaring or piercing gaze
• Clenched jaw or gritted teeth
• Squinting or staring intensely

Body language associated with being awful

Here is some body language your awful character may exhibit.

• Rolling eyes
• Pointing or jabbing fingers
• Tapping feet or fingers impatiently
• Frowning or furrowing brows
• Avoiding eye contact
• Crossing arms
• Sneering or scowling
• Making exaggerated sighs or huffing noises
• Slouching or standing with hands on hips

For detailed feedback on awful characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character development checker.

Behaviors associated with being awful

Here are some behaviors your awful character may exhibit.

• Constantly complaining and being negative
• Being selfish and self-centered
• Blaming others for their own mistakes
• Acting entitled and expecting special treatment
• Intentionally hurting others physically or emotionally
• Being rude and disrespectful towards others
• Disregarding the feelings and needs of others
• Refusing to take responsibility for their actions
• Being dishonest and deceitful
• Gossiping and spreading rumors

Growth and evolution of awful characters

Here are some ways that your awful character may grow and evolve over time.

• Discovering a new passion or purpose in life that motivates them to be better
• Developing empathy and understanding towards others
• Forming a meaningful relationship with someone who inspires positive change in them
• Learning to take responsibility for their actions and facing the consequences
• Going through a traumatic event that changes their perspective on life
• Recognizing their flaws and actively working to improve themselves
• Realizing the value of teamwork and cooperation with others
• Overcoming a personal challenge or obstacle that helps them gain perspective

Stereotypes of awful characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical awful character like these examples.

• The cowardly character who always runs away from danger without any attempt to fight or stand up for themselves
• The dumb henchman who blindly follows orders without any independent thought
• The entitled, spoiled brat who throws tantrums and expects everything to be handed to them
• The manipulative seducer who uses their sexuality to get what they want
• The emotionally distant or abusive parent who is one-dimensional and unsympathetic
• The purely evil villain who has no redeeming qualities or motivations
• The overly aggressive bully who is cruel for no reason

Negatives of being awful

Here are some potential negatives of being awful. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Making enemies instead of friends
• Being seen as selfish or self-centered
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's actions
• Difficulty in finding success in personal and professional endeavors
• Alienating others with rude or hurtful behavior
• Being unable to recognize or admit faults and mistakes
• Being closed-minded and unwilling to consider others' perspectives
• Being unlikable and difficult to get along with
• Struggling to maintain healthy relationships

Positives of being awful

Here are some potential positives of being awful. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Awful characters can be relatable to readers who struggle with similar flaws or issues
• Awful characters can be complex and multifaceted, making them interesting to read about
• Awful characters can provide a unique perspective on a story or situation
• Awful characters can experience growth and redemption, making their story arc satisfying to follow
• Awful characters can make the reader appreciate the good characters even more

Verbal expressions of awful characters

Here are some potential expressions used by awful characters.

• "You should just give up"
• "You're a failure"
• "You're never going to succeed"
• "You're a mistake"
• "You're terrible at this"
• "You're hopeless"
• "You're a disappointment"
• "You're a waste of space"
• "I can't believe how bad you are"

Relationships of awful characters

Here are some ways that being awful could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be exploitative, taking advantage of others' vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
• They may be domineering and try to control others' actions or decisions.
• They may be selfish or self-centered, putting their own needs above others'.
• They may be manipulative and use others to get what they want.
• They may be critical or judgmental of others, constantly finding fault with them.
• They may be hostile or aggressive, using intimidation or threats to get their way.
• They may be competitive, always trying to one-up others or prove their superiority.
• They may be dismissive of others' feelings or opinions.
• They may be deceitful or dishonest, lying or hiding information from others.

Examples from books of characters who are awful

• Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
• Mrs. Danvers from Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
• Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
• Cathy Ames from East of Eden by John Steinbeck
• Annie Wilkes from Misery by Stephen King
• Patrick Bateman from American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
• Joffrey Baratheon from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
• Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Humbert Humbert from Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Writing exercises for writing awful characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write awful characters.

• Write a scene where the character is confronted by someone calling them out on their behavior. How do they react? Do they deny their wrongdoing or try to justify it?
• Experiment with different writing styles and techniques to convey the character's awfulness. For example, you could use short, choppy sentences to convey their aggression or write in a detached, clinical style to emphasize their lack of empathy.
• Write a scene or story from the perspective of the character's victim. This can help you understand the impact of the character's actions and behavior on others.
• Consider the consequences of the character's actions. How do their awful traits impact their relationships and their own well-being? Write a scene where the character faces the consequences of their behavior.
• Explore the character's backstory and motivations. What experiences or beliefs led them to act in this way? Understanding the character's perspective can help you write them in a more nuanced and believable way.
• Start by identifying the specific traits and behaviors that make a character "awful." Is the character selfish, rude, manipulative, or cruel? Make a list of these traits and behaviors to reference throughout the writing process.