QUIRKY DEFINITION:exhibiting peculiarities or idiosyncrasies CATEGORIES:identity, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:eccentric, offbeat, peculiar, unconventional, unusual POSSIBLE CAUSES: Entitlement; believing that one has earned the right to act however one wants Being unconcerned with what others think A desire to break free from an overly strict or regimented past Growing up in an environment that held little respect for conventionality Dementia Immaturity Insecurity Craving attention Having an independent streak; taking pride in one’s individuality ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Wearing unconventional clothing combinations Not caring about one’s appearance; being more interested in other things Exhibiting peculiar habits Not picking up on common social cues from others Relating somewhat awkwardly to others Embracing one’s weirdness Doing things to deliberately stand out Doing what one wants without worrying about what others think Flouting the rules Making up one’s own rules Unpredictability Confidence Independence Being amused when others are discomfited by one’s uniqueness Sticking to one’s individuality despite opposition Being open-minded Enjoying life Doing even mundane tasks a little differently than others Defying the norm Being annoyed when others follow trends and jump on popular bandwagons Espousing beliefs and opinions that are different from the mainstream Becoming defensive when one’s individuality is criticized Anger that escalates to bitterness, turning one’s quirkiness into an act of defiance Speaking in a straightforward manner; not mincing words Isolation Grouping with other quirky people Expressing creativity Adopting quirky habits in an attempt to gain attention or acceptance Transparency; being true to oneself without worrying about the perceptions of others Unnerving others with one’s odd ways, ideas, and unpredictability ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Most people wouldn’t put these clothes together, but I think they look awesome! I don’t know why everyone liked Avatar so much. I thought it was dumb. I wonder if I can walk from Central Park to Riverside Boulevard backward. Today, I’m not going to speak. Instead, I will sing. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:amusement, anger, anxiety, confidence, defensiveness, determination, embarrassment, indifference, satisfaction, wariness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Once quirky characters have been labeled as peculiar, no one expects them to act conventionally, so they can get away with things that others can’t, which is a nice little tool for the writer’s arsenal. Because they are easily stereotyped, they are often underestimated or overlooked by society at large. Their tendency to think outside the box enables them to see problems from a different angle and come up with unusual solutions. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:While everyone has something to offer, the gifts of a quirky person are not often sought out or graciously received. These characters are easily misunderstood and viewed with suspicion, making them convenient scapegoats. Their strangeness usually ensures that they live on the outskirts of community and fellowship. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory) is a fairly weird proprietor. His clothes are outlandish, he employs a crew of Oompa-Loompas, and it’s common practice for children to disappear or be otherwise disfigured while touring his factory. Through his words and his actions, it’s clear that he lives outside of society’s norms and does so with complete confidence. And because he’s known as a quirky guy, people take it all in stride.Other Examples from Literature and Film:Spike (Notting Hill), Tish Ambrosé (SpaceCamp) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:diplomatic, fussy, inhibited, proper, responsible, sophisticated CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE QUIRKY CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Living in a strict society with zero tolerance for individuality PLOTLINE: Experiencing a situation where one has to conform in order to achieve one’s goals PLOTLINE: Being misunderstood or wrongly judged due to one’s quirkiness PLOTLINE: Having a goal that conflicts with one’s offbeat nature (wanting to be popular, etc.)