Writing Quirky Characters

Conduct a quick dipstick of memorable fictional characters and you will find that they often have a quality about them that makes them stand out in people’s memories. Think of an unusual way of dressing, a distinct mannerism, a way of speaking, and more. Harry Potter’s lightning scar, Anne’s insistence that she is “Anne with an e” are some examples that instantly come to mind, both examples of character quirks.

What Really Are Character Quirks?

Simply put, quirks are peculiar, unusual idiosyncrasies that make a character unique. Typically, these are things the character has no conscious control over. A quirk can be visual- an uncommon eye color or behavioral, such as the character’s refusal to shake hands for fear of contracting germs. Quirks can also manifest as habits- the character running their tongue over their lips when nervous, making conversation with houseplants, incessant clicking of the pen, and more. While some of these examples are endearing or at best harmless, the fact remains that quirks can also make a character unlikeable – think constantly interrupting others, fidgeting too much, and lots more. Either way, it is these quirks that make the character that much more real and believable.

While quirks can go a long way in cementing the characters in the readers’ mind, how do you get down to creating quirky characters? Here are a few handy tips:

Take a leaf out of life

While you may not think of people around you as quirky, look around and you are sure to find enough and more traits that make people stand out. A sibling, that next-door neighbor, a colleague at work, or even the complete stranger you crossed on the street, can give you ideas of specific quirks that you can work into your characters. You could even think of characters you have seen in a TV show or movie or read about in a book. Create a whole list of quirks that you find interesting and also consider why these stood out for you. Why you want to use a particular trait and what will be its impact on your character’s personality are other important aspects to consider.

Use quirks sparingly

Unless you are creating a caricature as opposed to a believable character, you will benefit from using quirks sparingly. Overloading a character with quirks and idiosyncrasies can make them absolutely unrelatable and even annoying. Don’t worry too much about whether you have made the character quirky enough and in that endeavor cross the line into making the character unbelievable.

It could also be worth your while to give that quirky character down-to-earth friends to juxtapose their weirdness as also to keep them grounded.

Give them a reason

It is best for the quirks not to exist in a vaccum. Instead it is better that the quirk develops from a backstory that keeps the character real. For instance, it could be a traumatic incident as a child that could lead to the character’s mortal fear of dogs or riding a bike. It is important to make the quirks significant to the story and not incidental. The importance of Harry’s scar for example, becomes more and more relevant once we know of the backstory.

Whatever quirk you choose, as far as possible, give them a reason to do so.

Avoid clichés

Try to steer clear of clichés and unrealistic tropes. It stands to reason that to create memorable characters you have to go against the grain. To do so, sometimes it may even work well to see how particular characters have been portrayed traditionally and take an opposite path. For example, it might work well to turn that innocuous, clumsy girl next door into a serial killer.

A word of caution here; make sure that the quirks you incorporate into your character are in sync with the time period or setting that you’ve established.

Show, don’t tell

Done well, quirks and mannerisms can say a lot more about your character than words. It isn’t necessary for you to tell the readers that your character has social anxiety. You can demonstrate it far better by the way she shuffles her feet while walking into a crowded room.

That said, here are some quirks that can tap into for inspiration:

• Has a toothpick in their mouth
• Is ambidextrous
• Clicks a pen
• Collects bottle caps
• Is a vegan, but secretly eats meat
• Has a mortal fear of shaking hands
• Tells strangers his or her life story immediately on meeting them
• Has a knack for numbers
• Is addicted to approval
• Sets a 15-minute timer when in parties and leaves them even if someone is in the middle of telling him something
• Wears layers of clothing even in summer
• Always wears a scarf with printed flowers
• Ignores No Parking Signs and is perpetually having his vehicle towed
• Can compose music in his or her mind
• Has a front tooth made of gold
• Forever has sweaty palms
• Falls asleep in the middle of conversations

Go ahead, add to the list and bring your characters to life!