You can give her different traits, you just want a real personality to build on. That way I find you can get some life into your characters.
I suppose it depends what type of journey you want to take this character on. Here are some that come to my mind... -Perhaps there is only one type of animal that she loves more than life itself (it could be birds, dogs, cats, etc). She hates all others. For some reason, I'm feeling the "birds" one, but I've known a few people in life that are rude, bitter, but somehow love their birds more than anything...perhaps they desire to be set free from something...somehow. -Perhaps she's an amazing chef. Even though she's cruel to her daughter, her culinary skills can't be beat and she never has the heart to ever tamper or serve bad food as this would be disrespectful to any type of cuisine. -Maybe she's awesome and totally nice to everyone one day out of the entire year and that's Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. (HAHAHA...sorry, couldn't help myself there). -She is amazing at caring for indoor plants. Perhaps has a room in her home dedicated to her plants only with the light system all all the works. How dare anyone mess with her plants. -She's oddly terrific with small children - and of course, not in and odd, creepy way. Perhaps she holds a group of some type at her home to teach children a skill or something and for some strange reason, all the children absolutely adore her. -She can give amazing advice to others, but she is terrible and following her own advice. I hope you figure out something that fits your antagonist well!
Kstaraga, thank you for all these suggestions. I think I might have a good trait now, but, as you put it, in an odd creepy way. I'll have to see how it plays out.
Character traits alone aren't what make a character feel real. It's the story that brings out who they really are and what kind of person they are. Maybe put this character in a situation that will reveal something unexpected or that will show another side of her if that's what you're looking to do. If she's not feeling real or believable, another character trait alone isn't likely to change that.
What you suggested is what I did to find the good trait in this bitter old woman. I put her in a situation no one, including her, would think she'd be in.
It sounds like you found a way to keep the story fresh and reveal more character. That's great. Keep up the good work. You've got this!
