The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Complex and Believable Characters with Flaws

Char 55: I love this series of books. Such an extensive, in depth tool for writers.

United Kingdom on Sep 25, 2023

Brianne V: More than a list of traits, the books offer suggested scenarios and ways these traits can benefit or hurt your characters.

Canada on Aug 04, 2023

Amazon Customer: A complete guide of negative traits so useful to flesh out a character.

Canada on May 28, 2023

Meeps AlotMeeps Alot: Simple enough to understand with plenty of details. I love it.

United States on May 27, 2023

Greywolf2001ca: Mrs. Ackerman and Puglisi writes really good thesaurus. This book alonside the positive traits, emotional wounds and the emotion thesaurus are a must. The others are not as essential but can be a tool too.

The book is well written with a good 25 pages of information and explanation on how the traits contribute to a character as well as how to use the book efficiently.

If you own any of the other Thesaurus the ladies have written and are wondering if this one is as good... well, it is! Grab it while there are still some available.

Canada on Jan 16, 2023

L Harrison: I first bought this as an ebook, having heard very good things about it from a few writers whose opinions I trust. I highlighted and made so many notes it became cumbersome, so I recently bought the paperback version. This information is timeless, which makes it excellent reference material to have at hand, hopefully for many years to come.

If you write for a living, or aspire to, or even if you write just for your own entertainment, there is so much to be had from this book. The authors have obviously gone to a lot of effort, not only to include much valuable information, but to offer examples that are very cleverly done and very clearly described.

Buy this one. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Australia on Sep 11, 2022

Amazon Customer: I love this book. It will not only help you come up with flaws for your characters, but it has methods for character building as well. Not to say it is a book on character building, but it does give some techniques that are very helpful for understanding how character traits effect needs, and wants, which in turn will give your character drive. I found that especially helpful.

She discusses the five needs and lies that are basic; Physiological, Safety and Security, Love and belonging, Esteem and Recognition and Self-Actualization.She then goes on to list many needs that fall under each category and lists a group of corresponding lies that a character might use as excuses for not fulfilling his needs. i.e. Love and Belonging category: Need- {Finding a Spouse} corresponding lie could be (I don't want any attachments, or no one will be interested in someone as screwed up as me.) there are many given needs and wants and many corresponding lies so you can choose from any of them to suit your story. The key is understanding WHY your character would have those needs and wants, and why would he/she choose to react negatively or positively with that reaction.

There is a...

United States on May 06, 2014

Lynn: Every writer needs both the Positive Trait Thesaurus and the Negative Trait Thesaurus. They go together. Add in the Emotion Thesaurus and the great downloads and extras these talented writers give you on their website (which add up to another fabulous book on their own) and you probably won't need too many other books on the craft of writing. A good dictionary and a Synonym finder and you are all set.

I have bought all three "Thesauruses" and loved them so much I bought all three for my Kindle too so I can have them on the move and when travelling. These Thesauruses are exceptionally well organised and contain huge amounts of information in a concise and practical format.

You could just leap in and pick a handful of traits to apply to your character(s) and they would still be better off than when you started. However, taking the time to read through the "users guide" chapters will add so much to your understanding of how to craft truly memorable characters that it is well worth the time invested to do this. Then use the listings to pick and choose traits and counter-traits and the ways in which they would possibly be exhibited to start building a team of people that...

United States on Jan 17, 2014

Jules Morris: Want to create true to life, fleshed-out characters? Start here. These two authors deliver. They show you how characters are the story and how to develop them for maximum effect in your own book.

The first part of the book states that everyone is damaged, and the more emotionally traumatic the better. They tell you why negative traits, wounds and flaws are essential for character arcs, how to build them, and how they can be fit to make the journey harder and more meaningful. They also cover that people who are wounded form lies they believe (Ex. I'll never be a good mother.), which stems from one of the five basic needs. (Sorry, too long to list.)

The second part lists flaws alphabetically. They cover definition, similar flaws, possible causes, associated behaviors and attitudes, associated thoughts, associated emotions, positive aspects, negative aspects, examples from film, overcoming this trait as a major flaw, and traits in supporting characters that may cause conflict. I read through each flaw and was surprised when my characters became fleshed out in my head. I knew what they were thinking and what caused it.

We can all think of various flaws we want our...

United States on Nov 15, 2013