To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Devious refers to someone who is sneaky, dishonest, and not straightforward in their actions or intentions. A devious character may be cunning, manipulative, and willing to deceive others for their own benefit. They often have hidden agendas and may use their charm and charisma to mislead and exploit those around them. Devious characters can be complex and intriguing to write, but it's important to ensure that their actions are believable and consistent with their motivations.

Possible causes of being devious

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

• Trauma or past experiences that have resulted in a lack of trust in others
• Learning from role models who exhibit deceitful or manipulative behavior
• A desire for power or control over others
• Mental health issues such as narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder
• Childhood experiences such as neglect, abuse, or a chaotic family environment
• Low self-esteem or insecurity leading to a need for validation through manipulation

Behaviors associated with being devious

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

• Betraying the trust of others for their own benefit
• Concealing their true intentions or feelings
• Playing mind games or using psychological tactics to control others
• Setting traps or using deceitful tactics to get what they want
• Being two-faced or hypocritical in their behavior and actions
• Lying and manipulating others to achieve personal gain
• Using others as pawns in their schemes

Attitudes associated with being devious

You may be able to show devious through their attitudes.

• Calculating
• Dishonest
• Resourceful
• Sneaky
• Manipulative
• Strategic
• Quick-witted
• Opportunistic
• Untrustworthy
• Cunning

Thoughts and struggles associated with being devious

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

• Difficulty trusting others, always assuming they have their own hidden agenda
• Fear of being exposed or caught in their deceptions
• Internal conflict between their desire for power and their sense of morality
• Inability to form genuine connections with others due to their manipulative nature
• Constantly scheming and plotting to get what they want
• Enjoyment of manipulating others for their own amusement or gain
• Tendency to hold grudges and seek revenge on those who have crossed them
• Struggle with guilt or shame for their deceitful actions

Emotions associated with being devious

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

• Dishonest
• Crafty
• Scheming
• Duplicitous
• Sly
• Calculating
• Sneaky
• Tricky
• Conniving
• Manipulative
• Mischievous
• Guileful
• Deceitful
• Two-faced
• Shifty
• Cunning
• Treacherous

Facial expressions associated with being devious

Here are some facial expressions your devious character may exhibit.

• Raising one eyebrow
• Biting or licking lips
• Smirking
• Tilting head to the side
• Raised eyebrows
• Crooked smile
• Glancing sideways
• Narrowed eyes
• Frowning

Body language associated with being devious

Here is some body language your devious character may exhibit.

• Tilting head to the side while maintaining eye contact
• Raising eyebrows or widening eyes in a non-genuine way
• Smirking or sneering
• Avoiding eye contact or looking away quickly
• Fidgeting or playing with objects nervously
• Crossing arms or legs defensively
• Leaning in and getting uncomfortably close
• Smiling in a way that doesn't reach the eyes
• Touching or rubbing hands together

Behaviors associated with being devious

Here are some behaviors your devious character may exhibit.

• Lying and manipulating others to achieve personal gain
• Betraying the trust of others for their own benefit
• Using others as pawns in their schemes
• Playing mind games or using psychological tactics to control others
• Concealing their true intentions or feelings
• Being two-faced or hypocritical in their behavior and actions
• Setting traps or using deceitful tactics to get what they want

Growth and evolution of devious characters

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

• Learning from their mistakes and attempting to make amends
• Being redeemed through selfless acts and sacrificing their own desires for the greater good
• Overcoming their own selfishness and learning to trust others
• Accepting responsibility for their actions and facing the consequences with courage and humility
• Recognizing the harm caused by their actions and feeling remorseful
• Finding a new purpose or goal that aligns with their values and morals
• Developing empathy towards others and understanding the consequences of their actions

Stereotypes of devious characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical devious character like these examples.

• Portraying the devious character as evil or malicious without any redeeming qualities or motives.
• Using stereotypes or tropes that are offensive or harmful, such as making the devious character a person of a certain race or ethnicity.
• Giving the devious character a lack of depth or backstory, making them feel like a caricature rather than a fully fleshed-out character.
• Creating a devious character that is too predictable or unrealistic in their actions and choices.
• Making the devious character one-dimensional and solely focused on their deceitful actions.

Negatives of being devious

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

• They may manipulate situations or people for their own benefit, which can result in harm or damage to others.
• Devious characters may become untrustworthy and unreliable to others.
• Devious individuals may struggle to maintain long-term relationships due to their tendency to deceive and manipulate.
• Their actions can lead to conflict and tension, as they may try to pit people against each other or cause chaos.
• Deviousness can sometimes stem from a lack of empathy or concern for others, making it difficult for them to understand or connect with others on a deeper level.

Positives of being devious

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

• They can be very persuasive and convincing, able to talk their way out of difficult situations or get others to do what they want.
• Devious characters often have a strong sense of self-preservation and can be quite resourceful.
• Devious characters are often cunning and intelligent, able to think on their feet and outsmart their opponents.
• Devious characters are usually very perceptive and observant, able to read people and situations accurately.
• They are often strategic thinkers, able to plan ahead and manipulate situations to their advantage.

Verbal expressions of devious characters

Here are some potential expressions used by devious characters.

• Changing stories or facts to suit their needs
• Pretending to be someone they're not
• Blaming others for one's own mistakes or wrongdoings
• Making promises without intent to follow through
• Withholding information or intentionally being vague
• Using sarcasm or backhanded compliments
• Lying or misleading others
• Using flattery or charm to manipulate others

Relationships of devious characters

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

• Competitive: Devious people may see others as rivals or threats, and may try to outdo them or undermine them in order to come out on top.
• Distrustful: Devious people may have a hard time trusting others, as they are often used to being lied to or deceived themselves.
• Self-centered: Devious people may be primarily focused on their own goals and desires, often at the expense of others' needs and feelings.
• Secretive: Devious people often keep secrets from others, either to protect their own interests or to gain an advantage over others.
• Controlling: Devious people may try to control others' actions or behaviors, either through direct manipulation or by creating a sense of obligation or indebtedness.
• Manipulative: Devious people may try to manipulate others to get what they want, often using charm or flattery to gain trust and then exploiting that trust for their own benefit.

Examples from books of characters who are devious

• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Iago from "Othello" by William Shakespeare
• Amy Dunne from "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
• Cersei Lannister from the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin
• Count Dracula from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
• Tom Ripley from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith
• Francis Dolarhyde from "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing devious characters

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

• Write a scene from the perspective of the character's victim: How do they feel about the devious actions? How does it affect their life?
• Think about the character's moral code: Do they believe that the ends justify the means? Or do they have a more complex view of right and wrong?
• Write a dialogue between the devious character and another character who is onto their schemes: How does the devious character try to manipulate the situation?
• Write a scene where the character's deviousness backfires: How do they react? Do they come up with a new plan or do they face the consequences?
• Think about the character's motivation: Why are they being devious? Is it for personal gain? To protect someone else?
• Create a backstory for the character: What experiences have they had that may have led them to become devious? Were they betrayed in the past?
• Create a list of the character's tactics: What methods do they use to deceive others? Do they use lies, manipulation, or charm?