Hey SE Readers. Joan with you today. This is the third in a series of posts about character types. The ideas are from my personal observations or public knowledge of well-known people. The other posts are The Attention Seeker and The “I Can Top That” Person.
“Jack of all trades.” You may have heard this phrase as a compliment to someone who is skilled in several things. An everyday handyman fits the bill. He might know a bit about plumbing, how to frame a house, or do minor electrical work.
But consider the full quote. “Jack of all trades, master at none.” That doesn’t sound complimentary, does it?
Today’s post deals with the “know it all.” Consider a person who has spent years in college, jumping from major to major without getting a degree. They may have a lot of knowledge but aren’t masterful at anything.
I once worked with someone who I called a professional student. She was smart, outgoing, and likable, but she couldn’t settle on one college major. At the time I knew her, she already had two bachelor’s degrees and had decided to go to nursing school.
She was an only child, and her parents had the means to support her endeavors. I once told her sooner or later, she needed to decide on something and start to build her career. She knew I spoke the truth.
But opposite of Jane (not her real name) is the true know it all. They have a little bit of knowledge in a particular field and believe that makes them an expert. Usually their “knowledge” isn’t limited to one thing. They may have worked for a stockbroker, so they consider themselves a financial expert. At another point in their life, they dabbled in the paralegal field. Maybe they once worked in a medical office. This person is always the first to offer advice.
Writing this type of character can be fun, especially if you make them a con artist. The 2002 movie Catch Me if You Can is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale. By the time he was nineteen, Abagnale had impersonated a doctor, an airline pilot, and an attorney. After his arrest and subsequent prison time, he worked alongside the FBI and started a financial fraud consultancy company.
When I worked in banking, I heard him speak in person, and believe me, truth is stranger than fiction. Although some of his claims are said to be exaggerated and untrue, writing this type of character has lots of possibilities.
What’s your take on writing a “know it all?” Would you make them a con or do something else with the character?
Story Empire 
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The know it all. Brilliant, Joan. I know so many of these. My family is full of them and I drives me nuts especially when it concerns medical issues. My son, Greg, knows everything, but that is a genuine compliment. He really does seem to know everything and is never wrong. I always told my boys that if you are going to take someone on about something, and argue with them, make sure you are right and can back up your claims. They’ve taken this to heart.
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Good advice, Robbie. Yes, there are many who believe they know it all in relation to medical issues. They’re all over Facebook in light of the Covid pandemic. They make me weary.
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Yes, I take the advice of doctors I know well with regards to Covid. They are all singing from the same songsheet, fortunately.
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Same for me.
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I worked with a few of these, and I run into one at our local pub often enough to be annoyed. I’m not sure I could add one to a story.
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These types do tend to be annoying, Dan. I would never make a main character like this. A minor one who gets his or her just dues is another matter. Thanks for stopping by today.
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That would work.
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Interesting… Thanks for sharing, Joan!
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You’re welcome, Bette. Thanks for stopping by.
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You are correct. This would be a fun character type to write about. We all have known people like this, so we have some experience to bring to our books. Thanks for the post. I will look at your other character type posts.
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Hope you find them useful!
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I think a “know it all” would make a great mother-in-law or older sibling in a novel:) Would make family gatherings interesting… You’re coming up with great ideas for characters.
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Ooh I like the idea of a mother-in-law. Definitely impacts the family dynamics. Glad you’re liking this series, Judi.
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Great post, Joan. I’ve ran into my share:) Yes, they would make a good con artist if you throw in the charm. Claiming to be experts is what they thrive in and could leave one very broke. They are fun characters to work for a con even though with their negative intentions.
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Abignale fit the part in real life. Aside from the con, an everyday person who thinks they know everything would make a great addition to a story.
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I wrote a story using a know it all. She wasn’t well liked and ended up being murdered in my story. It was fun to write her. PS, she wasn’t a con.
Loved the post.
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Ooh, that sounds interesting, Michele. Just rewards? 😀
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She was murdered for her money. But no one deserves to die. Even the bad ones. But I could see why someone would want to kill her off.
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You’re right. No one deserves that but yes, a few would like to kill off someone like her.
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A know-it-all could make a great con. I also think they could be one of those annoying people who comes up against a situation that backfires in their face. Then they realize how little they really know.
I’ve encountered a few people like this in my life, but have never written one. They’d definitely make a great character type.
How cool that you got to hear Frank Abagnale speak. I remember the movie.
Great post, Joan!
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I’ve met a few but like you haven’t written one. Hearing Frank Abignale speak was interesting.
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A “know-it-all” character could be a huge thorn in someone’s side (or everyone’s side). It might be fun to write, especially if he/she gets brought down a notch in the story. I haven’t written this type of character, but it could be fun. This is a great series! Thanks for sharing!
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I think they would definitely need to be brought down a notch or two. Thanks, Jan.
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I don’t know that I could write a know it all character because I don’t know it all. 🤣🤣🤣 I could definitely see this type of character as a con artist or an annoying side kick. I’ve known a few people like this, and some of them are arrogant while others don’t even know they are in that category. Lol! Good post, Joan. 😊
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I agree, Yvette. Most of them are clueless.
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I have not done a know it all character but in life they. are such a pain. The worst thing is to ask their opinion on something. You might as well relax because it is going to be a long discussion. Good post today, Joan.
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Yep, long boring conversation. And then you vow never to ask them again. Thanks, John.
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But ten to one I’ll ask again. 🙄
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Joan, a fun post. I was imagining a few people I have known over the years and chuckling. One of my relatives is like this – if he has the slightest knowledge of anything, he will consider himself an expert, and tell you so! One of my characters in my latest book had a touch of this trait. Thanks for an interesting post!
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There always seems to be one in a lot of families. How interesting that you’re writing one. I look forward to to reading your next book!
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I’ve worked with many who feel they know it all and aren’t shy about admitting it. You could have a lot of fun with this type of character.
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I’ve worked with a few as well, Jill. Most have a big ego.
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Yes!
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I love a good con story. I wish I wrote them better, but that likely involves deeper plotting than I normally do. I like the idea of a know it all. I might use one if it suited the story.
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I haven’t written a con. It would be fun to write.
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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Thanks for the reblog, Jeanne.
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You’re welcome 😀
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This is a great character type. I never considered writing it, but I know people like this and can easily see incorporating it into a book. It would be so much fun to write.
Loving this series, Joan.
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I’ve known a few. Haven’t written one (yet). I agree it would be fun.
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I love to create characters that are a bit quirky or flawed and the Know it All would provide some welcome entertainment – or irritation! Thanks, Joan.
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Quirky and flawed characters are fun to write. If we make our characters “too perfect” they become bland and boring. Writing this type of character could be a lot of fun. Thanks for stopping by, Alex.
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Great post, Joan. I haven’t written this character type yet, but I can see lots of possibilities 🙂
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I haven’t written this type either, but it does lend lots of possibilities. Thanks, Harmony!
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Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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💕
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So far, I haven’t written such a character, probably because I don’t normally like them. I do like to create multi-faceted characters though, at present, I am trying to find a way to make my villain more likeable…
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I haven’t written a “know it all” either. I’ve known some in real life and they annoy me. And often their advice is wrong, but they think they’re an expert on everything. Thanks for stopping by today.
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The original pain in the neck…
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