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I have a character in mind, but I just cannot think of a few good words that would sum up their nature. So I thought I would post here and, if some people give me the type of words I would normally use, then I would go ahead and give them a try. I am not big for cracking open the thesaurus and looking for the longest ten cent word I can find. But I just cannot think of some good adjectives in this case.
Let me describe the person:
somewhat socially awkward
willing to purchase symbols of status in order to appeal to the popular crowd
willing to take on Herculean tasks in order to be seen as a hero or to bolster their ego
naturally shy, but willing to overcome it if there is a chance they might gain social status
I'm really stuck. I keep getting stuck on "uncool" and "emotionally needy", but those just don't fit the style of this piece. Then I'll go a few rounds with "obsequious" (a word I willingly use), but it's totally wrong here even though this character has a touch the servile. I keep going back and forth without any better options coming to mind. Any help?
I am kind of feeling the writer's block on everything else based on this one issue. (obsess much? yeah, kinda... 
)
Instead of stabbing at adjectives, I suggest you chip away at your block by taking a fresh approach. Construct a situation in which you character can do some of the things you describe, or have your character talk to others about past events that illustrate these traits, or have another character tell this one about why they hate / love these qualities and behaviors. A school reunion (or e-mails on same), a family gathering (wedding or funeral), an office party, or some such could provide ample opportunity to make a more nuanced and memorable impression of your character.
But I'm a hack, so don't listen to me.
You've already got shy and socially awkward for that part of his character. For the other part you're trying to describe, how about vain, vainglorious, shallow, materialistic, or egocentric, if you're inclined to be critical? But my preference is to use a more neutral word that focuses on the ends rather than the means: ingratiating.
And give the guy some credit for his willingness to take on Herculean tasks. I'm willing to call him a hero, or at least say "thanks," if he gets the tough jobs done!
make a more nuanced and memorable impression of your character . . .
Glenn, I just realized that you and I have a different set of assumptions regarding listerman's question. It seems you are assuming that the “character†in question is a fictitious person in a story that listerman is writing ("writer's block" is the clue, but I didn't take that literally). I assumed that he is a real person, and listerman is simply looking for a few choice adjectives to describe him. If your assumption is correct, Glenn, then your “hack†advice is the best suggestion.
Glenn:
Thanks for the advice, but in this case I have a secondary character who needs to directly describe this person to the main character. It's more like a warning which is then corroborated by later activities and does not get into detail.
semaphore:
I guess that socially awkward would fit the bill. It's just doesn't cover enough ground though. And my goal here is that, while the guy is willing to take on these tasks, he's often undone by others who sense his neediness and his real reasons for helping out. He never gets the glory he seeks because he is seeking it so rigorously.
It's just possible that I cannot find what I am looking for because it doesn't exist yet. But thanks for giving my your options. It really does help.
Ah, so you are writing a story! But what is the secondary character warning the main character about exactly? Lots of people (some would say most Americans) buy material goods in order to bolster status, and take on tasks to impress others or boost their egos. You've just described half the doctors and lawyers, and just about all politicians! Kissinger said that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac, but status symbols are a close second. 😉 Is the secondary character warning the main character that he may be used or harmed in some way by this other character? Or is he just being more or less gossipy?
At the risk of beating a twice dead horse, perhaps the character can warn with a brief story example. “Let me tell you about Glenn. A few years back, he was invited to the wedding of his Harvard roommate. Well, rumor has it that he rented a crimson Lamborghini and hired an ivy-league escort to accompany him. I heard she was stunning and charming and seemed very much in love in him. Nobody even suspected a thing. I wonder if there was any time left on the clock after the reception.â€
I wonder if there was any time left on the clock after the reception.
Please continue with this very intriguing story!
Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well, you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not, you're with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and
You're so vain
I will call the person I want to describe "the third party". In this case, a secondary character makes mention of the third party early on in the story to the main character. They just flit off a few adjectives and the main character takes them in. It's pretty gossipy. Later, he meets the third party and wishes to give them the benefit of the doubt. Which doesn't work out because he finds that people are often exactly as you've heard them to be. As in, a tiger doesn't change his stripes.
Again, it's just something casual and I don't want it to become an involved story. And yes, lots of people try to buy their status. But this character isn't trying to simply display wealth, as none of the items I have in mind cost more than, say, $100. It's about their need to be included in the group and to be seen as "authentic".
Once more, I am thankful for the suggestions. I haven't found what I was looking for... but I don't feel as stuck as I once did. And that's a BIG help.
Here's somebody putting on airsLOL, samaphore!
And I like Glenn's suggestions a lot. I remember a writing instructor once telling a class to "imagine someone very different from you. Now imagine them at the very end of the day, just as they're starting to get ready to go to bed. Now describe it." Such a mundane thing to describe, but that's precisely where a few well-chosen details could really say a lot about character.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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