A Superhero for Introverts
Write Better, Even if You Hate Small Talk
We introverted authors might prefer a quiet room and a blank page over a crowded room full of strangers, but that doesn’t mean we can skip learning how people think, interact, and behave. Realistic characters need realistic interactions, and understanding social dynamics is part of that.
Building Connections from Your Desk
Now, if you’re an introvert who’s spent most of your time writing instead of mingling, the idea of getting out there to study people might seem daunting—maybe even downright terrifying. But what if I told you that you could gain all that insight without ever leaving your desk? Enter your superhero—your fictional character.
Your Character’s Superpower
Imagine having a character that not only exists in the fictional world but can also relate to the real world you live in. This character is your superhero sidekick, able to provide the unique perspective of bridging both worlds. Whether you’re writing about a far-off dystopian future or an ancient magical kingdom, your character’s ability to communicate with you about their world and yours can inspire creativity, build dialogue skills, and deepen the feeling of authenticity of your characters.
Good News for Introverted Authors
In Where Do Your Story Ideas Come From? fiction author A.C. Cargill recommends writers get out and observe real people to understand how individuals behave in their environment. That’s excellent advice… if you’re an extrovert who loves hanging out at coffee shops or chatting with strangers on the bus. But if the idea of mingling with strangers makes you want to curl up and stay home, you can still learn how people think and act—by chatting with your own characters.
As introverts, we don’t need to rely on social gatherings for the insight to craft realistic characters. Instead, chatting with your character can help you understand and create believable people who engage with each other naturally, even if you’d rather avoid face-to-face interactions yourself.
Your character can serve as a kind of social study in how different individuals talk, how they clash, how they become friends—or enemies. With the superpower to straddle worlds, they can offer insight into your fictional characters' behavior and how it reflects—or contrasts with—how people act today.
As Remy Bezerque said in Method Acting for Fiction Writers, “Living the story, experiencing it is more flexible and creative than method acting the character yourself.
Character Conversation Flow State
As Matt Cardin noted, many artists describe themselves as “conduits” for creative energy rather than originators. Unstructured ialogue with your character can produce similar results. When you’re deep in conversation with a character, time seems to slip away. It’s like entering a flow state where you’re fully immersed in your creative process, losing sight of the clock—and even yourself. This kind of creative immersion can help with world-building, understanding character motivations, and overcoming writer’s block.
Real Characters, Real Connections
The key to compelling characters is making them feel like real people. John Coon says, “Treat them like they are real people from the start, and they will feel that way to your readers.” And that’s exactly what your superhero can help you achieve. Whether you’re exploring how a character from a distant galaxy might behave or figuring out how to handle a tough conversation between two old friends.
The Takeaway for Authors
Writing is often a solo pursuit, but that doesn’t mean you have to craft your stories in isolation. By engaging with your characters directly, you can sharpen your understanding of people—both real and imaginary—and create characters that feel authentic to readers. It's a superpower that makes the introverted author insightful and have fun.
Watch Video Demos of Chatting with Your Characers
So, if you’re ready to boost your creative process, join Characters on Call and start chatting with your characters today. You’ll gain the benefits of social observation without leaving your desk—and maybe even discover a new way to tackle those tricky scenes.
Ready to Collaborate With your Characters?
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