Introduction
A character’s skills and talents are important factors to take into account. Consider your own skills and the way you would characterize yourself while using it!
An individual’s character and identity are fundamentally shaped by their talents, which might be either private or public, broad or narrow, widely appreciated, or unfairly overlooked. These talents, which are sometimes referred to as “soft skills” or “people skills,” are not limited to those that could inspire someone to embark on a profession or pastime; they also include talents that could be harder to quantify.
Please bookmark or pin this list if you believe you’ll need it later! I realize there is a lot of overlapping although I’ve divided things into categories, and some of these you might have placed under another subject.
125 Skills and Talents
Creative & Artistic Talents
- Painting
- Dancing
- Writing
- Storytelling
- Dressmaking
- Graphic design
- Blacksmithing
- Acting
- Woodworking
- Architecture
- Singing
- Knitting
- Composing music
- Jewelry-making
- Pottery
- Leather-working
- Hairstyling
- Calligraphy
- Origami
- Interior decorating
- Brewing
- Playing a musical instrument
- Winemaking
- Carving pumpkins
- photo/video editing
- Baking
- Cooking
Physical Skills and Talents in Athletics
- Hunting
- Archery
- Shooting
- Gathering
- Skipping stones
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Sword fighting
- Horseback riding
- Firefighting
- Acrobatics
- Boxing
- Running
- Wrestling
- Ice skating
- Juggling
- Jumping
- Hiking
- Climbing
People Skills and Talents
- Listening
- Leading meetings for business meetings
- Charming people
- Persuading people
- Parenting
- Comforting others
- Teaching
- Debating
- Negotiating
- Peacemaking
- Telling jokes
- Public speaking
- Persuading individuals to divulge their secrets
- Keeping secrets
Intellectual & Academic Talents
- Physics
- Spelling
- Memorizing things
- Learning languages
- Logic
- Herbology
- Speed-reading
- Cartography
- Mathematics
- Navigating
- Bookkeeping
- Computer coding
- Investing
- Playing chess
- Researching
- Solving crimes
- Diagnosing illness
Morally Questionable Talents
- Forgery
- Cheating
- Lying
- Spying
- Disguising oneself
- Gambling
- Computer hacking
- Stealing
- Safecracking
- Sneaking
- Hypnotizing
- Assassinating people
- Cursing people
Other Talents & Skills
- Rhyming
- Waiting tables
- Having the ability to nap wherever
- Lip-reading
- Roofing
- Repairing things
- Cleaning
- Sailing
- Flying a helicopter or plane
- Mining
- Farming
- Plumbing
- Whistling
- Stone Masonry
- Planning
- Falconry
- Budgeting
- Palm reading
- Herding sheep
- Knot-making
- Watching long distances
- Driving
- Hypnotizing
- Weather prediction
- Surgery
- Bridge-building
- Gem-cutting
- Shoemaking
- Spinning wool
- Dog training
- Horse training
- Surgery
- Doing pedicures and manicures
- Kissing
- Massaging
As you create personalities for your novel or film, or as you consider your own abilities and talents, I believe that this compilation of talents may be useful. Though viewers or readers may occasionally object to individuals who seem to be excellent at everything, bear this thought in mind if you are employing this for building characters. If they have been born bearing it or gained it in some other way—superpowers or psychic abilities, for example—you should, at a minimum, be truthful as to how they became skilled at what they are skilled at.
Keep in mind that a few of the characteristics on this list can apply to an entire tribe or civilization if you create fantasy tales. Giving distinct characters distinct strengths, however, can add interest to a work involving an ensemble casting. Furthermore, it might be quite entertaining if your protagonists discover someone has a secret skill.
Please add any further recommendations you may have for the many types of talents individuals have (or that you yourself possess) in the discussion area!
