#Mannerisms

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Quirks, Habits & Mannerisms

Character Quirks - the memorable little things about a character’s personality that make them charming, endearing, weird, or unique. A quirk is anything worth describing about a character that makes them stand out, like certain speech patterns (a character who mumbles), or behavioral tics (someone who can’t make eye contact). Quirks can also be a character’s clothing, the way they smell, or whether they use their left hand or if they’re ambidextrous. Little quirks or idiosyncrasies can humanize a character—or at the very least, make them interesting.

Character Habits - the patterns of behavior exhibited by characters either involuntarily or in response to other stimuli. For example, a character who can’t stop winking when they get nervous, or someone who always smokes a cigarette with their morning coffee. Habits are often repeated under specific circumstances, or in some cases incorporated into a character’s routine. Good habits can reveal things about your character, like someone who always cleans their house before company arrives can be a stickler for neatness and presentation. However, bad habits can also be especially powerful, as they expose certain flaws about your characters, paving the way for growth and development.

Character Mannerisms - a character’s unconscious individual gestures, affectations, or other distinctive behavioral traits. Characters’ mannerisms can indicate particular aspects about them. For example, someone who is always slouching may perpetually lack confidence, or a character is always squinting because they’re too prideful to admit they need glasses. Mannerisms can help your audience tell your fictional characters apart from one another, giving them their own identity. They can also help your characters feel more three-dimensional, like people you’ve met in real life.

Tips for Using Quirks, Habits, and Mannerisms for Writing Realistic Characters

Quirks, habits, and mannerisms can be so useful for writers to incorporate during the character creation process. Whether your focus is writing a novel or short stories, little aspects of a character’s personality can help make them feel layered and real, strengthening the connection and empathy your audience has with them.

Make a list. Write your own list of quirks, habits, and mannerisms. Think about the people you know. Which family members are introverts? Who is always the life of the party? Do they say any specific things or behave in a particular way that indicates these aspects of their personalities? Think of a character you’ve read about in a book or seen in a TV show or movie—what were their strengths? What were their foibles? Also, consider complete strangers you’ve passed on the street. Which ones do you remember, and why?

Ask yourself why. If you’ve thought of a list of character traits you find interesting, consider why those particular ones stood out to you. Why do you want to give your character a weird sneeze? Why is it important that they’re vegan? Why you want to use a trait and its effect on personality are two important things to be cognizant of when building your own characters.

Show, don’t tell. Use quirks, habits, and mannerisms to say more about your characters than words can. You don’t have to tell your readers that your protagonist always feels awkward when he enters a crowded room—show them he feels that way by putting it into his movement. Instead of normally walking into the room, the character always shuffles meekly, or has to give themselves a pep-talk before entering. Descriptions like these can paint a more vivid picture of both the scene and your character for audiences.

Consider your setting. If you’re writing a piece that takes place in the 1990s, your main character isn’t going to check their cell phone constantly, or use certain types of modern slang. Make sure the behaviors and habits you incorporate into your character development line up with the time period or setting you’ve established.

Don’t overdo it. In fiction writing, a good combination of quirks can help create more memorable characters by including small things that make them charming, endearing, weird, or unique. However, overloading your character descriptions with these traits will have the opposite effect, and make them feel ungrounded and unrelatable. Quirks, habits, and mannerisms should be used sparingly, and only to enhance the character as a whole. If your character walks with a limp, has a catchphrase, wears ugly clothes, speaks with a stutter, and considers their stuffed animal their best friend, they will seem like a complete caricature to your audience. Characters shouldn’t need an overload of gimmicks to be memorable, just a few specific details that help bring them to life in a natural and interesting way.

Avoid clichés. Nothing makes a character feel less realistic than an adherence to unbelievable and tired tropes. If you want to develop unique characters, go against the grain. The gruff character with the eyepatch might be the nicest person in the neighborhood, or the clumsy girl-next-door might actually be a serial killer. Even if you’re experiencing writer’s block, don’t rely on clichés. Instead, think of all the basic ways characters have been portrayed throughout and go in the opposite direction.

Try writing prompts. Character writing prompts can help you imagine new combinations of traits to give to your characters. A prompt can force you to think outside the box you’ve built for your character, putting them in other situations and seeing how they behave. This can help draw out features of the character that you hadn’t thought of yet, while also expanding your character writing skills.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[darkpoeticsoul]

[ohlookitsabluejay]

The urge to give my friend’s mannerisms to my characters is strong

I’m not fighting this one

[elitadream]

I've seen a few stories where Luigi is portrayed as being slightly better/more confident at speaking English than Mario; I was curious if this is true in your version?

Oh I love this take! :D 👏 I've seen it a couple times too and always find it very fitting!

In my version, both brothers fluently speak English and are equally at ease with the language; the main difference being that Mario is a bit less talkative than Luigi. He'll usually give a verbal response when directly spoken to as opposed to initiating conversation, and acting on a thought is more instinctive to him than voicing it out loud. His speech is notably quieter and mellower too, and despite being presumed to be less socially anxious than Luigi, Mario has a harder time expressing himself with words when nervous. 🙇‍♀️💭

[blindbeta]

Hello! Thank you for the work you're doing for all of us with this blog! Your materials are both very useful and interesting to read.

Recently, I saw a group of blind people at the train station. As they were chatting while waiting for a train, two of them started jokingly "swordfighting" on their canes. Which leads to a question: are there any other silly or "purely for entertainment" little things for a blind character to do with their cane that you might suggest? Many people tend to fidget or do something with the object they're holding for a long time when they have nothing to do so I wonder if this applies to canes.

Mannerisms and Canes

The best cane post I know, complete with a section on mannerisms, is this one by @mimzy-writing-online

As for things blind people do for entertainment with canes, here are some examples:

- Fidgeting with a keychain. Blind people tend to be very tactile and enjoy putting things on their canes as decoration or stimulation. Bonus is that it helps differentiate canes if there are a few blind in one place. I would avoid any keychains that are too heavy, as it messes with cane balance.

- Fidgeting with the strap loop at the top of the cane.

- Twirling a cane or swinging a cane. This can be done by the strap or the top of the cane, with either a folding cane or a non-folding cane. This mannerism is usually done when alone or in a less crowded area, as it could make others worry about being hit. Another problem is that passerby might see this behavior and believe the cane is a toy. Or worse, some kind of weapon.

- Mock fighting using a cane can happen when with friends. It isn’t unheard of. This can either be sword fighting as you mentioned or just batting at someone else’s cane with your own. Keep in mind that the way a blind person handles their cane may depend on who they are with. Because blind people are comfortable with canes, it is often more common to do these things in groups of blind people than it would be with sighted strangers.

- Some people like to dress up or otherwise decorate their canes, giving them some personality.

These are only some examples. Keep in mind that mannerisms and body language are culture-specific and time- / location-specific. A person’s relationship with their cane might also determine how they fidget with it if at all. A person’s age may determine how they handle their cane as well.

I hope this helped.

[succulentsiren]

Here to dead the misconception that femininity is a particular dress code or is equivalent to acting in a ladylike manner. Being Ladylike is a behavior that is taught and represents good social grace and standing. (Sitting with your legs closed/Saying please and thank you/Being polite/Wearing makeup/Wearing heels and dresses). These things help with presenting a kinder and more approachable image but it is not the root of what femininity is.

Being Feminine is an innate energy that is about expressing yourself in a way that makes you feel best. Femininity is when you stand in your authentic truth and honor your self worth.

Feminine energy isn’t always polite nor respectful. Sometimes it’s destructive and wild.

Femininity is not a exact presentation, style or aesthetic.

It can look like this,

this

this

this

or this.

Femininity can be expressed with bold makeup, simple makeup or no makeup at all. It can be expressed wearing a dress, jeans, hoodies, suits, sneakers or heels. It can be nudity. It can be natural hair, bald, curly hair, braids, straight hair or wigs.

Femininity is expressing yourself in a way that makes you feel at your best.

Femininity is self acceptance.

Femininity is feeling good about who you are.

Femininity is feeling treasured without external validation or decoration.

No one can define what feminine looks like for another. Each individual has their own way of expressing their truth.

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

so i gotta ask - do the raggedy boys have any little quirky mannerisms? like how in-game sun will spin his face or moon wiggles his fingers during his jumpscare

thank you and have a heem for your troubles ewe

By quirky mannerisms if you mean stims, then yes!

But they also have their own idle movements. Sun will sway and swing his arms and rock back and forth on his feet, and Moon will rock side to side while fiddling with his hands. They also will both tilt their heads when curious or confused.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE HEEM!!!!!!!!!!! <3

[magister-magolor]

for a long time now, i've had a tendency to pick up on mannerisms (mostly gesture ones but sometimes talky ones) from characters i like... it's actually kind of embarrassing sometimes.

i HATE knowing that i naturally shrug like that because i liked to copy sans undertale when i was 9

a lot of the way i talk (sometimes less or more noticable when typing or in real life, kinda inconsistent) can be tied DIRECTLY back to sans as well and i only notice after saying/ typing it.

i sometimes automatically salute when given instructions because i used to like to copy GIR from Invader Zim, and sometimes i do that stupid evil walk from Zim himself as well...

i also tend to nod a lot because of wheatley and do various other gestures because of magolor... sometimes my head also likes to talk to me in mostly strung together amalgamations of magolor quotes and i have to talk/type like that as well.

it's REALLY funny to be honest but it's sososo embarrassing internally. it's not me forcing it, it all sorta just becomes... part of me...

there's a bunch of other stuff too, but it isn't at the top of my head right now.

[august-zip]

Autism things is hyperfixating on a band, specifically the lead singer and adopting his speech mannerisms and accent

[ax-y10]

Your Habits (Wreck Your Head)

In which- You were raised to be the best you could ever be, and Wilbur works his life into your lifestyle.

Chapter info: not angsty at all (well maybe a tiny bit), shitty home life??, struggle, Wilbur being a sweetheart, that's all i can think of sorry.

A/n: This is part of my finishing drafts post. I got really carried away with the mannerisms part and I genuinely rushed through this. I don't relate to this at all, so sorry if this is incorrect or parts are incorrect. The ending is shot, soz. sorry it's so short.

Pronouns: None (You/Yours)

Masterlist:

---

You were raised in a very strict household, having to abide by manners and constantly being available for people. You never really had a break when you lived at home. Family is here? Be there to greet them. Someone is talking to you? Have to maintain eye contact.

It was a struggle. If course it was a struggle. Constantly being on your toes, but it worked out for you in the end.

You were never allowed partners throughout school, and if you had one while living at home, they weren't allowed in the house. Wanted a friend over? "Don't you hang out with them at school?". Want to see someone to study? "Do it in the school library."

But when you met your first and current boyfriend, Wilbur, it was heaven to you.

You had a massive weight lifted off your chest. When you saw him, you would immediately discard all mannerisms you were taught. And when you got home, the guilt slowly caught up to you.

He always comforted you when you scrambled away from a hug, was always willing to pull his arms away from a hug if you had to talk to him, being taught to look at someone when they're speaking. He was so respectful and understanding of your life.

You didn't have a phone yet, so communication was scarce and in pieces. Finding each other in public when you were with your parents was risky, sparing each other small glances, trying to avoid the confrontation of your parents.

And when you finally moved out, you tried so hard to try and forget about the mannerisms and tried to have an alright time and not worry, but it never really worked. And when Wilbur had offered to let you stay with him, you were oh so grateful. You immediately asked him to help move all of your stuff into his house, and of course he helped.

And the habit didn't stop there. When you hugged, you had to pull away, saying "I love you" back for the first time was a struggle, trying to be polite and not holding his hand.

It was definitely an obstacle but he worked his life into it. He helped you forget some mannerisms that were unnecessary and helped you improve your state of mind. He absolutely thought it was so cute that some mannerisms took over during moments together but he never got angry or frustrated with you, always letting you take your time.

He loved you and you loved him back just as much, and his patience made you fall in love over and over again.

[onscarlitos]

This is a 5am thought but Joe Alwyn and Jannik Sinner remind me so much of each other

[143bc]

[ririsasy]

Nick/Kit having Steve Rogers/Chris Evans mannerisms, not to mention they’re both blond lol and Nick have that 6 packs rugby body making him look bigger and broader just like captain with a serum lmao every time I saw Nick I giggled because how much he reminds me of Steve, the way he carries himself like the way he walk, stand a certain way and even his little smirk is so similar with the way Evans smiles, Kit seriously at some point should play as mini Chris Evans whether as his younger self or his son.

[kitty-akira]

(Rant)

I have this habit of calling people "love" "darling" "hun" and stuff like that because idk it just became a habit during freshman year and now I can't stop. But the issue with it is that I always worry it'll make people uncomfortable or they'll think I'm flirting so I try not to. But ofc sometimes it'll slip through still and I panic so hard. Like when you're being complemented, my brain always wants to respond with "awe thanks hun" but if that makes someone uncomfortable I'd feel so bad. So I try and change my speech up, especially if I'm talking to someone I don't know well. But that's just my mannerisms. I know the logical thing to do would to ask and inform the people I'm talking to that that's just how I talk but I haven't, and instead I just change how I speak-

(If I know you irl or I talk to you and speak like this I apologize in advance I can't help it but I'm trying to stop-)

Edit: also this is very random and that is because it is almost one in the morning for me, so random thoughts hour ╥﹏╥

Anyway thanks for listening to my rant-

[def-not-kaz-brekker]

i love how sometimes you just see something a person does and… yoink it.

i use my best friend’s mannerisms. i say ‘s’s like that one radio announcer when I lived in New York. i write my ‘a’s like the girls in eighth grade. i have my parents’ accents when I speak Italian. i say “hello there” like Obi-Wan Kenobi.

humans are really just made of each other when you think of it. it’s so cool.