This review provides my evaluation of The Negative Trait Thesaurus and the The Emotional Wounds Thesaurus.

Puglisi and Ackerman have published eight thesauri for use by writers. Each begins with an informative introduction of 80-100 pages. Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, described in the introductory text and appendices, is the theoretical basis framework underlying the content. Aside from this front material, these thesauri are technical references to consult when addressing particular needs.

I reviewed The Emotional Thesaurus earlier. However, a more practical -way to evaluate these works is to use them in an actual writing project. I selected two romance novels and used these references in developing character sketches of two male and two female protagonists and one male villain. It would have been useful to include The Positive Trait Thesaurus in this evaluation, but I do not have access to a copy.

Negative experiences have wounded each character, but the entries in the wounds thesaurus are too specific to be helpful. Each entry begins with a problem and, sometimes, a note elaborating the problem. An example, false beliefs underlying the problem, the character’s fears, responses the character may make, and the results follow this. The coverage concludes with lists of personality traits (i.e., attributes) that may result, flaws associated with those traits, triggers that might aggravate the wound and opportunities to overcome this wound. The book lacks an index, leaving it to users to search for specific terms in the text. I found this thesaurus to be of limited use in character development, but it may be more helpful in identifying particular events to embed in the story.

The negative traits thesaurus was much more useful in character development. The book covers 106 traits, but each entry covers the named trait and alternative terms. For example, the entry for cowardly lists fainthearted, fearful, and pusillanimous as similar flaws. The alphabetical index lists all the traits, enhancing the book’s usefulness. Likely causes of the trait and associated behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, and emotions are described, as are positive and negative aspects of the trait. Examples from films are provided, but those will be useful only to readers who have viewed and remember the films. Ways to overcome this flaw (negative trait) and traits in supporting characters that may cause conflict round out the coverage.

I found this thesaurus to be helpful in developing my character sketches. I spent a fair amount of time reviewing the coverage of traits that had not have occurred to me, and my characterizations improved. The section on associated behaviors and attitudes also stimulated thoughts about events I might work into the story.

I anticipate repeated use of the The Negative Trait Thesaurus and plan to buy it for my library. I may take another look at The Emotional Wounds Thesaurus when I create an action outline, but I am not convinced I will find it helpful. ( )

One of my favourite writing resources. ( )