To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "boring" refers to a lack of interest, excitement, or originality in a person's personality or actions. A boring character may lack engaging or dynamic qualities that make them stand out in a story, making them uninteresting to readers or viewers.

Possible causes of being boring

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

• Inability to connect with others emotionally
• Lack of imagination or creativity
• Low self-esteem or confidence
• Overly self-focused or narcissistic behavior
• Difficulty empathizing with others
• Difficulty expressing emotions or feelings
• Fear of change or taking risks
• Inability to communicate effectively
• Lack of life experience or exposure to new things

For detailed feedback on boring characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being boring

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

• Being overly critical or nitpicky about small details
• Being predictable and routine-oriented
• Having a narrow range of interests or hobbies
• Being uninterested in the opinions or perspectives of others
• Being unwilling to take risks or try new things
• Talking excessively about mundane topics
• Avoiding new experiences or adventures
• Having a lack of humor or wit in conversation
• Lacking enthusiasm or energy in conversation

Attitudes associated with being boring

You may be able to show boring through their attitudes.

• Inability to engage in stimulating conversation
• Inability to connect emotionally with others
• Resistance to change or adapt to new situations
• Lack of enthusiasm or passion
• Lack of curiosity or interest in new experiences
• Tendency to be forgettable or blend into the background
• Routine and predictable behavior
• Unwillingness to take risks or try new things
• Lack of humor or ability to make others laugh

Thoughts and struggles associated with being boring

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

• Lack of passion or interest in anything
• Struggling to find meaning or purpose in life
• Constantly seeking approval or validation from others
• Inability to express emotions or opinions
• Self-doubt and low self-esteem
• Fear of change or trying new things
• Difficulty in making connections with others
• Feeling unnoticed or unimportant
• Feeling stuck in a rut or routine
• Avoiding confrontation or challenging situations

Emotions associated with being boring

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

• Dullness
• Monotony
• Apathy
• Lifelessness
• Uninspired
• Lethargy
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Passivity
• Disinterest

Facial expressions associated with being boring

Here are some facial expressions your boring character may exhibit.

• A tendency to look away or fidget
• A furrowed brow or looking distracted
• A blank or expressionless face
• Slow and monotone speech
• Yawning or appearing tired
• A lack of eye contact
• A lack of enthusiasm or energy in facial features

Body language associated with being boring

Here is some body language your boring character may exhibit.

• Limited hand gestures
• Lack of eye contact
• Slow or monotone speech
• Lack of facial expressions or animated reactions
• Staring off into space or appearing distracted
• Slumped or hunched posture
• Frequent yawning or fidgeting

For detailed feedback on boring characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being boring

Here are some behaviors your boring character may exhibit.

• Being predictable and routine-oriented
• Having a narrow range of interests or hobbies
• Being uninterested in the opinions or perspectives of others
• Having a lack of humor or wit in conversation
• Being overly critical or nitpicky about small details
• Talking excessively about mundane topics
• Lacking enthusiasm or energy in conversation
• Being unwilling to take risks or try new things
• Avoiding new experiences or adventures

Growth and evolution of boring characters

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

• They can evolve by discovering new interests or passions that add depth to their personality.
• Boring characters can also grow by experiencing a significant life event that changes their perspective on the world and their place in it.
• Boring characters can grow by facing challenges that push them out of their comfort zone.
• Boring characters can also change by overcoming a personal flaw or trait that held them back from experiencing life fully.
• They can evolve by forming meaningful relationships with other characters that challenge and inspire them.
• They can evolve by taking risks and pursuing their dreams, even if it means stepping outside of their usual routine.
• They can learn from their mistakes and develop new skills that make them more interesting and engaging.

Stereotypes of boring characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical boring character like these examples.

• Inability to connect with others or form meaningful relationships
• Passive and unassertive behavior
• Inability to adapt to change or try new things
• Lack of curiosity or desire to learn
• Lack of emotional depth or expression
• Lack of interests or hobbies
• Monotonous and dull speech patterns
• Overly predictable actions and reactions
• Apathy or indifference towards life events

Negatives of being boring

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

• Lack of excitement or passion in life
• Limited opportunities for personal growth and development
• Being forgettable or easily overlooked
• Feeling unfulfilled or unsatisfied with life
• Difficulty in maintaining relationships or making new friends
• Being passed over for opportunities or promotions due to lack of standout qualities
• Struggle to connect with others on a deeper level

Positives of being boring

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

• People who are perceived as boring may be better listeners, as they are less likely to dominate conversations with their own stories and opinions.
• Boring people are often reliable and trustworthy, making them good friends and colleagues.
• Boring individuals tend to be less impulsive and more thoughtful in their decision-making, which can lead to more successful outcomes.
• Being boring can mean having a stable and predictable life, which can be comforting and reassuring.

Verbal expressions of boring characters

Here are some potential expressions used by boring characters.

• Lack of humor
• Uninspired vocabulary
• Monotonous tone
• Lack of spontaneity
• Repetitive stories/topics
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Talking only about oneself
• Long-winded
• Lack of energy/engagement

Relationships of boring characters

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

• Boring people may struggle to take risks or try new things, leading to a lack of novelty and adventure in their relationships.
• Boring people may struggle to engage in meaningful conversations with others, leading to a lack of connection and intimacy in their relationships.
• They may have difficulty expressing themselves or their emotions, leading to a perception of being distant or uninterested.
• They may be overly reliant on routine and predictability, leading to a lack of flexibility and adaptability in their relationships.
• Boring people may struggle to adapt to new situations or experiences, leading to a lack of spontaneity and excitement in their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are boring

• Anastasia Steele from "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James
• Bella Swan from "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
• Bertha Mason from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Tom Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Mr. Collins from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• David Copperfield from "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Robert Langdon from "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown

Writing exercises for writing boring characters

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

• Write a scene where the character is tasked with a task that requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, such as data entry or filing paperwork. Focus on the monotony of the task and how the character copes with it.
• Write a conversation between two characters where the Boring character dominates the discussion with long-winded stories about their personal life that the other character clearly isn't interested in.
• Write a scene where the character attends a party or social event and is completely unremarkable. They don't stand out in any way and blend into the background.
• Write a scene where the character goes about their daily routine in excruciating detail. Focus on the mundane tasks and make them as tedious as possible.