To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Harmful refers to a tendency or inclination of a character to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to themselves or others. This can manifest in various forms, such as violence, abuse, addiction, self-destructive behavior, manipulation, or cruelty. Characters with this trait may have underlying issues or motivations that drive them to act in harmful ways, and their behavior can create tension and conflict in a story. It is important to handle this trait with sensitivity and awareness, and to avoid glorifying or normalizing harmful behavior.

Possible causes of being harmful

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

• Power and control issues
• Genetics or biology
• Exposure to negative or violent environments
• Lack of empathy or emotional intelligence
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Mental health disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Learned behavior from family or peers
• Childhood trauma or abuse

Behaviors associated with being harmful

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

• Discriminating against others based on their race, gender, sexuality, religion, or other characteristics
• Deliberately spreading misinformation or lies
• Taking advantage of others for personal gain
• Ignoring the needs or feelings of others
• Refusing to listen to or consider the viewpoints of others
• Inflicting physical or emotional pain on others
• Failing to take responsibility for one's actions and their consequences
• Engaging in bullying or manipulative behaviors

Attitudes associated with being harmful

You may be able to show harmful through their attitudes.

• Selfishness
• Manipulative behavior
• Disregard for others' well-being
• Arrogance
• Lack of empathy
• Contemptuousness
• Aggressiveness
• Insensitivity
• Cruelty

Thoughts and struggles associated with being harmful

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

• They may experience intense anger or frustration when things don't go their way, which can lead to explosive outbursts or other harmful behaviors.
• They may be driven by a desire for revenge or a need to assert dominance over those they perceive as weaker than themselves.
• A harmful character may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or powerlessness, which they compensate for by exerting control over others.
• They may feel a sense of entitlement or superiority, which they use to justify their harmful actions and disregard the feelings or well-being of others.
• They may also experience guilt or shame after engaging in harmful behavior, but may struggle to acknowledge or take responsibility for their actions.

Emotions associated with being harmful

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

• Vengeance
• Jealousy
• Resentment
• Hatred
• Sadism
• Envy
• Aggression
• Anger
• Cruelty
• Malice
• Hostility

Facial expressions associated with being harmful

Here are some facial expressions your harmful character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows in a mocking or condescending manner
• Furrowed brows
• Tense mouth or lips pressed tightly together
• Flared nostrils
• Scowl or sneer
• Narrowed eyes
• Clenched jaw
• Raised upper lip to show teeth
• Squinted or piercing gaze

Body language associated with being harmful

Here is some body language your harmful character may exhibit.

• Arms crossed in front of the chest
• Leaning forward aggressively
• Pacing or aggressive movements
• Rolling eyes or smirking
• Narrowed eyes or a hard stare
• Pointing fingers or jabbing with a hand
• Tense shoulders or a rigid posture
• Standing too close or invading personal space
• Clenched fists or jaw

Behaviors associated with being harmful

Here are some behaviors your harmful character may exhibit.

• Failing to take responsibility for one's actions and their consequences
• Deliberately spreading misinformation or lies
• Ignoring the needs or feelings of others
• Inflicting physical or emotional pain on others
• Refusing to listen to or consider the viewpoints of others
• Taking advantage of others for personal gain
• Discriminating against others based on their race, gender, sexuality, religion, or other characteristics
• Engaging in bullying or manipulative behaviors

Growth and evolution of harmful characters

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

• Acknowledging the harm they have caused to others or to themselves
• Taking responsibility for their actions and making amends
• Changing their worldview or belief system that led to their harmful behavior
• Seeking help or therapy to address the root causes of their harmful behavior
• Making sacrifices to rectify the harm they have caused
• Learning empathy and compassion for others
• Developing new positive relationships and connections with others

Stereotypes of harmful characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical harmful character like these examples.

• Characters who lack empathy and are portrayed as completely heartless or cruel
• Characters who are solely defined by their harmful trait, such as being a bully or a manipulator
• Characters who are portrayed as mentally ill or disabled solely to explain their harmful behavior
• Harmful characters who are overly sexualized or objectified, especially if their harmful trait is linked to their sexuality
• Villainous characters who are evil for no apparent reason other than their desire for power or destruction
• Harmful characters who are one-dimensional and lack depth or complexity

Negatives of being harmful

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

• It can lead to broken relationships and loss of trust.
• Harmful behavior can cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to oneself or others.
• It can negatively impact one's mental health and well-being.
• It can damage one's reputation and lead to social isolation.
• It can result in legal consequences, such as imprisonment or fines.

Positives of being harmful

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

• Harmful characters can be used to explore complex themes such as morality, justice, and redemption.
• Characters who are harmful can be more memorable and impactful than those who are purely good or neutral.
• If a harmful character undergoes a redemption arc, it can be a powerful and satisfying character development.
• Writing harmful characters can be a way to challenge oneself as a writer and explore different perspectives.
• Being harmful can give a character a sense of power and control over others.
• It can make a character seem intimidating and dangerous, which can add tension and excitement to a story.

Verbal expressions of harmful characters

Here are some potential expressions used by harmful characters.

• Criticizing without constructive feedback
• Blaming others for one's own mistakes
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Dismissing others' opinions or feelings
• Gossiping or spreading rumors
• Being sarcastic or condescending
• Using derogatory or offensive language
• Threatening or intimidating others
• Insulting or belittling others

Relationships of harmful characters

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

• Belittling or demeaning others to make themselves feel superior
• Having a sense of entitlement and expecting others to cater to their needs
• Using aggression or violence to intimidate or coerce others
• Gaslighting or denying the reality of situations to confuse and control others
• Dominating and controlling behavior
• Being dismissive or uninterested in other people's feelings or needs
• Creating a toxic and hostile environment for those around them
• Manipulating and exploiting others for their own benefit
• Blaming and shaming others for their mistakes or shortcomings

Examples from books of characters who are harmful

• Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Tom Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Count Dracula from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey

Writing exercises for writing harmful characters

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

• Create a list of consequences that the character faces as a result of their harmful actions. How do they react to these consequences?
• Write a scene where the character witnesses someone else being harmed. How do they react? Do they intervene or turn a blind eye?
• Write a scene where the character is forced to confront the source of their harmful behavior (e.g. addiction, trauma, etc.). How do they react to this confrontation?
• Write a scene where the character has the opportunity to do something harmful but chooses not to. What motivates them to make this decision?
• Write a scene where the character is confronted by someone they have harmed. How do they react? Do they show remorse or try to justify their actions?
• Write a dialogue between the character and a close friend or family member who is concerned about their harmful behavior. How does the character respond to this concern?
• Create a backstory for the character that explains why they have this harmful trait. What experiences have they had that have led them to behave this way?
• Write a scene where the character intentionally hurts someone emotionally or physically.