How To Write A Bully Character: 9 Tips For Writers

In this post, we define bullies, explore their character traits, share examples of fictional bullies, and offer practical advice on how to write about bullies.

Most people have encountered a bully at some point in their lives. And while these character traits can be difficult to admit, some people may recognise them in themselves.

When a person’s behaviour, comments, or actions intentionally trigger fear, discomfort, or distress in others, it can be described as bullying.

Are you dealing with a bully, or would you like to write one?

Here is what you need to know about bully characters, their personality traits, and how to create them as a fiction writer.

About Bullies & Bullying

Definition

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, bullying and cyberbullying involve behaviour that seeks to ‘harm, intimidate, or coerce’ someone who is perceived as vulnerable.

There are also different types of bullies. According to According to HealthyPlace.com, these include:

1. Narcissistic: Lacks empathy, enjoys control, and may display cruel or manipulative behaviour.
2. Imitative: May struggle with low self-esteem or depression and copy the behaviour of others.
3. Impulsive: Acts spontaneously without considering the consequences.
4. Accidental: May stop their behaviour when they understand that it is harmful.
5. Bystander: Joins in with bullying because they identify with or support the bully.

The causes and context of bullying behaviour vary from person to person.

Bullying can happen physically, emotionally, socially, or electronically. It is harmful and can have serious consequences, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.

Harassment and intimidation may also have legal consequences. In some cases, protection orders or other legal assistance may be necessary.

A Bully’s Character Traits

Bullies often display aggressive, controlling, abusive, or deliberately hurtful behaviour. For writers, teachers, and guardians, understanding the possible causes behind this behaviour can help create more realistic characters.

A person who bullies others may be:

1. Experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
2. Struggling with substance abuse.
3. Acting out frustration, anger, or depression.
4. Dealing with trauma or extreme stress.
5. Experiencing underlying psychological difficulties.

This does not excuse bullying behaviour, but it can help explain the emotions, experiences, or circumstances that shape a character.

A Bully’s True Danger

The consequences of bullying are serious. Victims experience fear, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

Bullies can also become abusers or criminals. Their behaviour may become threatening, controlling, or dangerous.

If you are experiencing bullying, or if someone’s behaviour is causing concern, seek appropriate support, counselling, or legal assistance.

Anti-Bullying Resources

For more information about bullying, cyberbullying, and support resources, explore:

1. UNESCO: Resources For School Violence & Bullying
2. Stomp Out Bullying: Cyberbullying Resources
3. IBPA World: Educational Resources
4. Bullying Resources

Examples Of Fictional Bullies

The fictional bully is a common character type. They are often written as antagonists, villains, or anti-heroes. Although less common, a bully can also become the hero of a story.

Popular examples include:

1. Lex Luthor (Batman-series)
2. James Moriarty (The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes)
3. Alex (A Clockwork Orange)
4. Prince Humperdinck (The Princess Diaries)
5. Lucius Malfoy (Harry Potter-series)

Thousands of other examples exist throughout classic and contemporary fiction.

How To Write A Bully Character: 9 Tips For Writers

A bully is not a pleasant person to deal with, but they can be fascinating characters to write. Here are nine practical tips for creating and developing a bully character.

1. Consider Cause & Circumstance

Few bullies are simply ‘born evil’. Many are shaped by their experiences, environment, or circumstances. Stress, fear, insecurity, or trauma can influence a person’s behaviour.

Why is your character a bully? What experiences shaped them? Understanding their background will help you create a more complex character.

2. Recall & Research Experiences With Bullies

If you have experienced bullying or cyberbullying, reflect on those experiences. Write down what happened, how people behaved, and the emotions, like anger and fear,  involved.

You can also research real-life accounts of bullying. Pay attention to the feelings of both the bully and the victim.

Understanding the emotional impact of bullying will help you create a more believable character.

3. Create A Cloud Of Character Traits

Have you ever seen a tag cloud? Create one for your fictional bully.

Include physical, emotional, and personality traits that define your character.

Ask yourself:

• Who is this person?
• What do they fear?
• What do they want?
• How do they treat others?

The more detailed your answers, the easier it becomes to understand and write your character.

4. Timeline Their Untold Story

A character’s hidden life story is one of the most powerful tools in fiction.

What has your bully experienced that readers never see but that influences their behaviour?

Create a timeline of your character’s life. Divide it into:

• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Adulthood

Include important events, ages, and turning points.

5. Write Shorts

Once you have created your bully, write short scenes outside your main story.

Place them in unusual situations and explore how their personality appears in different circumstances.

1. How would they respond to a telemarketer?
2. How would they behave when returning a faulty toaster?

A writer needs to understand their characters completely, even when those details never appear in the final story.

6. Conflict Is Key For The Bully’s Character

Conflict is essential for a bully character.

Ask:

1. What conflict do they create?
2. How do they affect other characters?
3. What tension do they bring into the story?

Make notes about how their actions influence your larger plot.

If a bully creates no conflict or tension, they may not belong in the story.

7. Choose Your Bully’s Environment & Type

Remember that bullies exist in many different environments.

A bully can appear in a schoolyard, workplace, family, community, or online space.

Ask:

1. Where does your bully live and work?
2. What type of bully are they?
3. How does their behaviour appear?

These questions help writers create believable characters.

8. Include Body Language

Aggression, contempt, and anger often appear through body language.

Examples include:

1. Shaking a fist
2. Stabbing motions with fingers
3. Slamming a fist on a table
4. A flushed face
5. A jutting chin
6. A clenched jaw
7. Lowered eyebrows
8. Bared teeth
9. Sneering
10. Crossed arms
11. Hitting
12. Kicking
13. Throwing objects
14. Grabbing other people’s possessions

Use body language to reveal your character’s emotions without explaining them.

9. Craft Your Bully’s Vital Scenes First

Many writers imagine a few powerful scenes before they understand the entire plot. Use this to your advantage. Write the scenes where your bully changes the direction of the story, creates conflict, or reveals their true nature. Build the rest of your plot around these important moments.

Let’s Craft A Scene

Let’s create a scene using these techniques.

The character, Jonas, needs motivation: frustration, anger, and depression.

His background includes details that may not appear directly in the scene: he is a habitual drinker, moves from job to job, lives in a one-bedroom flat, and travels long distances.

His trait cloud includes: COAT. NIGHTTIME. FRUSTRATION.

What is his conflict? What actions reveal his emotions?

Jonas was tired of everything. He was tired of late-night taxis and glowing taverns. He was tired of counting coins after coming home from the workshop. He was tired of his irritating, two-toned-shirted boss. Jonas sat down and threw a beer bottle at the crying dog in the corner of the dark flat. It, too, was tired.

Exercise: Use these techniques to craft your own scene featuring a bully character.

The Last Word

I hope this post on how to write about bullies helps you understand these complex characters and create more realistic ones in your fiction.

By Alex J. Coyne. Alex is a writer, proofreader, and regular card player. His features about cards, bridge, and card playing have appeared in Great Bridge Links, Gifts for Card Players, Bridge Canada Magazine, and Caribbean Compass. Get in touch at alexcoyneofficial.com.

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