How to Write Characters Who Are in a Rush
Writing characters who are in a rush requires a deft hand to capture the frenetic energy and urgency of the moment without losing sight of the character’s motivations and personalities. Whether your characters sleep through their alarms, are racing against the clock to meet a deadline, or are late to catch a flight, there are plenty of techniques you can use to convey a sense of haste and urgency. Here are some ways you can write characters who are always on the go:
Behaviour
- Constantly checking their watch or the time
- Moving quickly, with a sense of urgency
- Speaking quickly and directly, skipping pleasantries
- Ignoring distractions and focusing only on the task at hand
- Making abrupt decisions without much thought or consideration
- Multi-tasking, trying to accomplish multiple things at once
- Showing signs of impatience, like tapping their feet or sighing
- Taking shortcuts and looking for the fastest route
- Communicating in short, concise sentences to save time
- Prioritising tasks and eliminating non-essential activities
- Engaging in risky behaviour, like running or jaywalking, to save time
- Being forgetful or absent-minded
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Interactions
- Interrupting mid-conversation
- Asking for help or assistance in a direct and urgent manner
- Being curt or impatient when interacting with others
- Requesting immediate action or cooperation
- Repeatedly apologising
- Giving share instructions without enough detail
- Refusing to engage in small talk or personal conversations
- Making quick, decisive requests or demands
- Cutting off discussions or debates that could potentially delay progress
- Expressing frustration or impatience if others can’t keep up
- Moving on swiftly and not lingering when conversations end
Body language
- Fidgeting or tapping fingers and feet
- Pacing back and forth
- Avoiding prolonged eye contact
- Stiff stance, ready to move at any moment
- Quick, sharp gestures
- Tense or clenched muscles
- Rapid and heavy breathing
- Furrowed brow
- Sighing and groaning
- Rapid hand gestures while speaking
- Quick, purposeful strides
Attitudes
- Scatter-brained
- Impatient
- Willing to cut corners or take risks to save time
- Low tolerance for distractions or delays
- Rude and abrupt
- Demanding
- Stressed
- Frustrated
- Neglects details
- Ignoring others’ opinions
- Anxious
- Single-minded focus
- Action-oriented
- Irritable
Positive outcomes
- More efficient and better at prioritising
- Can think quickly and come up with creative solutions
- Eliminate distractions and maintain a laser-like focus
- Allocate time more wisely and make the most of limited resources
- Make decisions more swiftly and assertively
- Increased adaptability
- Learn to perform under pressure
Negative outcomes
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Decreased attention to detail
- Poor decision-making
- Strained relationships
- Increased risk of accidents or injury
- Overlook or miss important opportunities
- Burnout and exhaustion
- Incomplete or subpar work
- Others see them in a negative way