Character Trait: Glamorous

Definition : having an aura of allure and fascination; a showy attractiveness



Causes : a need for attention, a fear of what others will think, always wanting to look one's best out of respect for others, being raised in a glamorous environment (Hollywood, Broadway, etc.), having parents or siblings in the glamor industry, excessive wealth



Characters in Literature and Pop Culture: Scarlett O'Hara (Gone with the Wind), Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby), Audrey Hepburn, Princess Grace



Positives : Power and wealth are undeniably attractive, so most glamorous characters catch the attention of others. They are envied, admired, and copied by their peers. Glamorous characters have an air of self-confidence (whether real or fabricated) that is appealing. Whether the glamor is a true extension of a person's personality or a complete fabrication, the glamorous person is somewhat set apart from others. While this aloofness is scorned in a "normal person", it is often expected and overlooked in the glamorous character.



Negatives : Glamorous characters are easily misunderstood. Because of their aloofness, people don't often get to know the real person and often draw incorrect conclusions about them. As a result, glamorous people may have trouble trusting others, never knowing if someone is reaching out to them out of a true desire to connect or a selfish motivation. While some glamorous people dress and act the way they do as a true extension of their personality, many use glamor as a shield, wanting to keep people at arms' length or portray themselves as being more important than they are. Glamor can mask insecurity, weakness, and great sadness.



Common Portrayals : actors, models, royalty, the wealthy, rock stars, beauty queens



Clichés to Avoid: the criminally bored young heir or heiress; the glamorous character who takes pity on a hopeless cause and makes her over into someone fabulous; the washed-up actress or model who clings to her glamor via plastic surgery and inappropriate clothing 




Twists on the Traditional Glamorous Character: 




Glamorous characters are almost always wealthy. But what about a poor or working class character who achieves glamor through little means? (Pretty in Pink style) 
Or, to twist the cliché the other direction, create a wealthy character with absolutely no style or fashion whatsoever. 
People usually work so hard at being glamorous because of their need to live up to others' expectations, being driven to keep up with the Joneses, or a desire to appear more "together" than they really are. Try changing the motivation to put a twist on the glamorous character. 







Conflicting Characteristics to Make your Glamorous Character Unique or More Interesting : distracted, humble, clumsy, rowdy, poor, awkward, strange



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Oh, and Angela has skipped over to J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer today to share her tips for effective book marketing. And believe me, if there's anyone you want to spy on while they discuss marketing, it's Angela, so head on over and check it out!