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Want to write believable characters? Try giving each of your characters a solid set of mannerisms.
What are character mannerisms?
Mannerisms are observable ways that a character moves or speaks, often without realizing it. For example, they might run a hand through their hair every time they’re nervous.
Good, well-rounded characters have their own unique personality traits. With mannerisms, you can give them ways to show their personality traits, making them even more well-rounded and helping your characters jump off the page.
Need help building unique traits and habits? Sudowrite can help you flesh out mannerisms in seconds.
How character mannerisms help your story
You could try writing your characters without any mannerisms, but they’ll likely fall flat. This is because it’s not very realistic for a character to have no noticeable mannerisms at all. In real life, people behave with unique mannerisms all the time.
This is why character mannerisms make for a better story:
Mannerisms make your characters feel real. Spend five minutes in a crowded coffee shop and you can already notice how real people each have different mannerisms. The woman behind the counter rolls her eyes to the ceiling when she’s rattling off the drink specials. The guy with the laptop rubs his nose when he’s deep in thought. The girl waiting for her tea jiggles her leg in crowded spaces. Giving your character similar mannerisms will help your readers envision a real person as they read.
Mannerisms make your characters unique and memorable. They’re a good way to make your characters stand apart from each other, so that readers can easily identify who’s who based on behavior. They can also help your characters stand out so that readers remember your work. Writing a creepy guy for a piece of horror, for example? Try giving him a disconcerting habit, like winking when he makes your protagonist uncomfortable. That’s the creepy stuff that will stick with a reader!
Mannerisms help you “show, not tell.” If you’ve ever gotten the advice to “show, don’t tell” in your writing, you might have discovered that it can be easier said than done. That’s why a lot of beginning readers get criticism for too much telling, like “Harold was nervous.” Adding mannerisms can help you elevate your writing with more showing, like “Harold bit his lip until the skin cracked.” Both examples convey Harold’s nervousness, but with mannerisms, your reader can have a more interesting, immersive reading experience.
Characters That Feel Real: The Art of Crafting Memorable Protagonists offers more tips on making your cast emotionally resonant from page one.
How to write character mannerisms
There’s a fine line between using mannerisms enough to make them meaningful, and overusing mannerisms to the point of being irritating. Follow these guidelines to find a good balance.
Base mannerisms on your character’s personality. For example, a shy person might show nervousness by fiddling with her hair, while a bubbly extrovert might talk a lot when she’s nervous. Grounding mannerisms in personality can help your characters feel natural.
Use mannerisms at natural points in the story. Avoid overdoing it—don’t force a character to show their nail-biting habit in every scene. Choose the moments when it feels the most fitting and compelling to show your character looking nervous.
Try changing your character’s mannerisms over the course of the story. Perhaps your nail-biting character is sporting a gorgeous, unblemished manicure by the end of your book. This could be a sign that she has stopped doubting herself, dropping her nail-biting habit as she’s gained self-confidence. By adjusting mannerisms, you can show (not tell) how a character has grown throughout the story, also known as a character arc.
Keep track of your character’s mannerisms with a character profile. Character traits can really add up, especially when you have a whole cast of characters, and especially when you’re incorporating details like mannerisms. To avoid getting all the details confused, filling out a character profile can help. To make this even easier on yourself, you can start with this template that already has a spot for habits and mannerisms.
200+ Ideas for character mannerisms
Nervous or Anxious Mannerisms
Characters showing discomfort, uncertainty, or stress.
- Cracking knuckles
- Biting nails or cuticles
- Tapping fingers on a surface
- Wringing hands
- Tugging sleeves or shirt hems
- Tugging or twisting their hair
- Playing with a piece of jewelry
- Fiddling with a pen or another object
- Pacing back and forth
- Shifting weight from foot to foot
- Bouncing a leg or foot
- Perching on the edge of a seat
- Twisting side to side in swivel chair
- Clearing throat unnecessarily
- Chewing the inside of their cheek
- Wrapping arms around self
- Reapplying lip balm unnecessarily
- Touching their face frequently
- Clenching jaw or grinding teeth
- Rapid blinking
- Swallowing hard
- Rubbing the back of the neck
- Avoiding eye contact
- Staring at the floor
- Laughing nervously
- Gulping or taking deep breaths
- Sweating visibly
- Checking exits when entering rooms
- Stuttering or trailing off mid-sentence
- Speaking too quickly
- Speaking too loudly or softly
- Starting sentences with filler words ("Well," "So," "I mean…")
- Checking phone repeatedly
- Constantly rechecking bag or pockets
Confident or Dominant Mannerisms
Great for leaders, alphas, or overconfident types.
- Standing with hands on hips
- Standing with legs apart and chest forward
- Maintaining steady or overbearing eye contact
- Taking up physical space (arms spread, wide stance)
- Leaning back with arms behind head
- Monopolizing conversations
- Interrupting or talking over others
- Smirking while speaking
- Raising eyebrows while talking
- Pausing deliberately before answering
- Speaking with measured pacing
- Speaking at a measured volume
- Speaking in a singsong tone
- Pointing when making a point
- Laughing at their own jokes
- Loud, hearty laughter
- Tilting head back while laughing
- Walking with long strides
- Brushing invisible lint off their clothing
- Giving firm handshakes
- Tapping someone on the arm or shoulder
- Elbowing someone cordially
- Clicking a pen repeatedly
- Placing feet on furniture
- Fixing or adjusting their cuffs
Shy or Insecure Mannerisms
Perfect for introverts, awkward teens, or uncertain characters.
- Blushing easily
- Apologizing excessively
- Fidgeting with clothing
- Intertwining fingers nervously
- Adjusting glasses constantly
- Looking down when speaking
- Covering mouth when smiling or laughing
- Shrinking away from praise
- Standing behind others in groups
- Speaking in a soft or trailing voice
- Hesitating before responding
- Glancing sideways before answering
- Avoiding being the first to speak
- Ending sentences with questions
- Laughing too quickly or too softly
- Taking small steps or shuffling feet
- Shrinking posture, with hunched shoulders
- Making themselves “small” in public
- Hiding hands in sleeves or pockets
- Clasping hands behind back
- Nibbling on food without appetite
- Tugging on earlobes
- Twisting headphone cords
- Holding objects close to chest
- Constantly checking surroundings
- Bumping into furniture or people when flustered
- Holding hands out to explain
- Avoiding confrontation at all costs
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Flirtatious or Playful Mannerisms
For characters who love attention or enjoy the game.
- Holding eye contact a beat too long
- Glancing sideways under lashes
- Tilting head while listening
- Popping gum or chewing slowly
- Biting the lip in a suggestive way
- Licking lips
- Blowing kisses or puckering lips jokingly
- Flashing quick smiles
- Laughing a lot, even when it’s not that funny
- Twitching lips when trying not to smile
- Twirling hair around a finger
- Light touches on the arm or shoulder
- Flicking someone’s arm teasingly
- Playfully bumping into others
- Brushing imaginary specks off someone’s clothes
- Leaning in when talking
- Resting head on someone’s shoulder
- Whispering even when it’s not needed
- Sitting with legs crossed, swinging foot
- Winking
- Running fingers along the rim of a glass
- Posing casually in doorways
- Drawing invisible shapes on a surface
Angry or Irritated Mannerisms
Useful for conflict scenes or fiery personalities.
- Crossing arms
- Clenching fists at sides
- Narrowing eyes
- Rolling eyes
- Blinking rapidly in irritation
- Raising one eyebrow
- Breathing heavily through the nose
- Exhaling sharply
- Running hands through hair roughly
- Glaring without blinking
- Cracking knuckles loudly
- Grinding teeth audibly
- Clenching jaw
- Crinkling nose
- Scratching at beard or stubble
- Stomping when walking
- Drumming fingers impatiently
- Slamming objects down
- Kicking at objects
- Speaking in a low, intense tone
- Snapping or curt replies
- Turning away mid-conversation
- Pointing fingers in accusation
- Puffing out chest
- Flushing in the face or neck
Sad or Melancholy Mannerisms
Good for emotional scenes or melancholic characters.
- Drooping shoulders
- Slouching into furniture
- Hugging knees to chest
- Hanging head low
- Trailing fingers along surfaces absentmindedly
- Rubbing eyes or temples
- Avoiding eye contact
- Looking out the window silently
- Sitting with head bowed
- Chewing on sleeves or collars
- Picking at skin or nails
- Walking slowly, dragging feet
- Speaking in a low, dull tone
- Letting silence stretch awkwardly
- Trembling lips
- Silent tears rolling down cheeks
- Sniffling quietly
- Sighing heavily
- Rolling eyes upward in silent plea
- Not reacting to stimuli
- Clutching a photo or object
- Crumpling tissues in hands
Happy or Excited Mannerisms
For cheerful, enthusiastic, or childlike characters.
- Talking with hands or gesturing animatedly
- Clapping hands together
- Rubbing hands in excitement
- Throwing arms into the air
- Bouncing on toes
- Jumping up and down
- Hugging people spontaneously
- Laughing freely and often
- Giggling
- Smiling constantly
- Grinning ear-to-ear
- Singing or humming under breath
- Skipping steps when walking
- Walking backward playfully
- Spinning around for no reason
- Squealing or gasping with joy
- Eyes lighting up visibly
- Giving thumbs up or high fives
- Waving enthusiastically
- Patting someone’s back cheerfully
- Tilting head with wide eyes
Thoughtful or Focused Mannerisms
Perfect for thinkers, detectives, scholars, or introverts.
- Tapping lips with a finger
- Stroking chin or beard
- Rubbing temples
- Scratching head slowly
- Staring into space
- Staring at a specific spot on the wall
- Resting chin in hand
- Steepling fingers
- Tilting head slightly
- Scribbling in a notebook
- Reading while walking
- Folding arms while listening
- Nodding repeatedly during conversation
- Repeating phrases under breath
- Pausing mid-sentence to think
- Narrowing eyes in concentration
- Squinting at small text or screens
- Furrowing brow
- Chewing on pens or pencils
- Twisting rings on fingers
- Lining up objects on a desk
- Counting silently on fingers
- Sitting completely still
- Flipping through pages rapidly
Do your characters feel believable yet?
If you’re working on your characters’ mannerisms, then you’re making progress. Characters with distinct mannerisms will feel more real, jump off the page, and deepen your story. These may feel like small gestures, but in your writing, they can make a big difference.
Need an organized place to capture quirks, arcs, and names? Use Sudowrite’s planning tools to track them all.
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