To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "harsh" refers to someone who is severe, strict, or unyielding in their behavior or speech. A harsh character may be critical, judgmental, or unsympathetic towards others, and may have a tendency to speak or act in a blunt or abrasive manner. This trait can be expressed in different ways depending on the context, but generally involves a lack of gentleness or sensitivity towards others.

Possible causes of being harsh

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

• Childhood environment that was strict or abusive
• A personality disorder such as narcissism or antisocial personality disorder
• A coping mechanism to protect oneself from vulnerability or rejection
• Negative past experiences that have resulted in emotional scars and defensiveness
• A lack of emotional intelligence or empathy
• Insecurity or fear of being seen as weak or vulnerable
• Unresolved anger or frustration
• A belief that being tough or harsh is necessary for success or survival
• Peer pressure or societal expectations to be competitive and aggressive

Behaviors associated with being harsh

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

• Being confrontational or argumentative in conversations
• Using physical force or intimidation to get what they want
• Ignoring or dismissing others' opinions or feelings
• Making decisions without considering the impact on others
• Speaking bluntly or critically without concern for others' feelings
• Refusing to show empathy or compassion towards others
• Setting high expectations without providing support or guidance to achieve them
• Punishing or criticizing others for mistakes or shortcomings

Attitudes associated with being harsh

You may be able to show harsh through their attitudes.

• Unemotional
• Unforgiving
• Ruthless
• Firm
• Blunt
• Critical
• Strict
• Brutal
• Uncompromising

Thoughts and struggles associated with being harsh

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

• They might have trouble showing vulnerability or expressing their emotions, which can make them appear cold or distant to those around them.
• They may have a deep-seated belief that they need to be tough and unyielding in order to survive in a harsh world, which can lead to feelings of pressure and stress.
• They might struggle with feelings of loneliness or isolation, as their harsh demeanor may push others away.
• A harsh character might struggle with anger management issues and have a short fuse, which can lead to them lashing out at others.
• A harsh character may have experienced trauma or difficult life circumstances that have hardened them and made it difficult for them to trust others.
• They may have a tendency to be overly critical and judgmental of themselves and others, leading to feelings of frustration and disappointment.

Emotions associated with being harsh

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

• Anger
• Rigidity
• Intimidation
• Sternness
• Disapproval
• Criticism
• Bluntness
• Unyieldingness
• Impatience

Facial expressions associated with being harsh

Here are some facial expressions your harsh character may exhibit.

• Tensing the facial muscles
• Squinting
• Raising the eyebrows and staring coldly
• Pressing the lips together tightly
• Frowning deeply
• Clenching the jaw
• Curling the lips downward
• Sneering or snarling
• Narrowing the eyes

Body language associated with being harsh

Here is some body language your harsh character may exhibit.

• Clenched jaw
• Tense posture
• Pointed finger
• Crossed arms
• Tapping foot
• Heavy sighing
• Raised voice or shouting
• Narrowed eyes
• Interrupting or talking over others

Behaviors associated with being harsh

Here are some behaviors your harsh character may exhibit.

• Speaking bluntly or critically without concern for others' feelings
• Punishing or criticizing others for mistakes or shortcomings
• Making decisions without considering the impact on others
• Ignoring or dismissing others' opinions or feelings
• Being confrontational or argumentative in conversations
• Setting high expectations without providing support or guidance to achieve them
• Refusing to show empathy or compassion towards others
• Using physical force or intimidation to get what they want

Growth and evolution of harsh characters

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

• Acknowledging their own mistakes and taking responsibility for them
• Learning to be more empathetic towards others
• Overcoming their own personal traumas or insecurities that led to their harshness
• Developing a sense of compassion and understanding towards those they previously viewed as weak or inferior
• Learning to trust others and work collaboratively towards a common goal
• Realizing the negative impact their behavior has on themselves and those around them and actively working to change it
• Developing a sense of humility and understanding that they don't have all the answers or solutions to every problem
• Learning to communicate more effectively and respectfully with others
• Developing a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding of their own emotions and motivations

Stereotypes of harsh characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical harsh character like these examples.

• Refusing to show vulnerability or weakness
• Being unnecessarily aggressive or violent
• Being overly critical or judgmental of others
• Showing no empathy or compassion towards others
• Being excessively cruel or sadistic
• Being manipulative or controlling
• Refusing to take responsibility for their actions
• Ignoring or dismissing the feelings of others
• Using insults or belittling language towards others

Negatives of being harsh

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

• Harshness can create a fear-based environment where people are afraid to speak up or make mistakes, stifling creativity and innovation.
• Harsh individuals may struggle to empathize with others, leading to a lack of understanding and compassion.
• Harsh people can come off as mean or cruel, which can lead to damaged relationships and social isolation.
• Harshness can also lead to a lack of forgiveness and a tendency to hold grudges, preventing healthy resolution of conflicts.

Positives of being harsh

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

• Not being easily manipulated or taken advantage of
• Being able to stand up for oneself and others
• Being honest and straightforward
• Being assertive and confident
• Being able to protect oneself and others from harm
• Having clear boundaries and expectations
• Being respected for being firm and fair
• Being able to make tough decisions
• Being able to deliver constructive criticism

Verbal expressions of harsh characters

Here are some potential expressions used by harsh characters.

• Accusing or blaming others
• Refusing to listen to others' perspectives
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Insulting or belittling others
• Using profanity or vulgar language
• Speaking in a blunt and direct manner
• Dismissing or disregarding others' feelings
• Using sarcasm or mockery
• Using critical and judgmental language

Relationships of harsh characters

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

• They may have a tendency to be overly critical or perfectionistic, leading to a high-pressure environment for those around them.
• Harsh individuals may struggle with trust issues, leading them to be guarded or suspicious of others.
• Harsh people may have a tendency to dominate and control others.
• They may have a confrontational or argumentative approach to communication, leading to conflict in their relationships.
• Harsh individuals may struggle with empathy, making it difficult for them to understand or relate to others.
• Harsh individuals may struggle to show vulnerability or emotional openness, making it difficult for others to connect with them on a deeper level.
• They may be quick to judge and criticize others, leading to a strained or negative relationship.

Examples from books of characters who are harsh

• Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Iago from "Othello" by William Shakespeare
• Cersei Lannister from "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin
• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Mrs. Danvers from "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Writing exercises for writing harsh characters

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

• Create a character profile for a Harsh character, including their backstory, personality traits, and motivations. Think about why they might have developed this trait and how it affects their relationships with others.
• Start by brainstorming a list of adjectives that describe the Harsh trait. This can include words like critical, stern, unforgiving, and demanding.
• Write a monologue or internal dialogue from the perspective of your Harsh character. This can help you get inside their head and understand their motivations and thought processes.
• Write a dialogue between your Harsh character and someone they care about. Explore how their Harsh trait affects their communication style and how it affects the dynamics of the relationship.
• Consider the physical and emotional manifestations of the Harsh trait. How does it affect their body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions? How do they feel when they are being Harsh, and how do others react to them?
• Write a scene where your Harsh character is faced with a difficult decision. Explore how their Harsh trait influences their actions and how they interact with others in the scene.