Fiction authors typically must learn to write about all sorts of personalities when developing their characters. This can be challenging. For example, if an author is a highly confident person, he or she might find it difficult to write about an introverted, shy character. Perhaps your next novel has a character in it who has a toxic personality.
It’s always helpful to research each personality type that you’ll be including in your next manuscript. Make sure you understand what a toxic person is and how one behaves. It’s important to get it right so that your characters are believable.
A toxic person might exhibit these personality traits
If one of the characters in your next book is going to have a toxic personality, consider these traits that are common for people in this category:
- Erratic moods and behavior
- Always want to be the center of attention
- Jealous of other people’s success, intelligence, popularity, etc.
- Love to spark drama
- Manipulate and control others to get what they want
- Always avoid responsibility and self-accountability
A person with a toxic personality has a hard time accepting other people’s right to an opinion. This type of person views any difference of opinion as a personal affront. A character in a novel who is toxic is typically presented as an antagonist.
How do you feel around a person like this?
Besides their own behavior, you can often identify a toxic person by the way you feel when you’re around him or her. Their toxicity might leave you feeling:
- Used or manipulated
- Confused
- Defensive
- Uncomfortable
- Like you deserve an apology
- Anxious and stressed whenever they are in your presence
If you always feel upset, anxious, or stressed after being in the presence of a specific person, then he or she might have a toxic personality. While it’s not always possible to cut off all contact, it’s a good idea to learn how to cope to protect your mental and emotional well-being.
What drives this type of personality?
A sense of entitlement, selfishness, a desire to control everyone and everything around them, and insecurity are the major driving forces behind toxic personalities. If one of the main characters in your next story is going to be toxic, do your best to base the character’s thoughts and actions on realistic issues and situations.
