Abigail Fredrickson

3 responses to “Winning Topic: Exploring Character Personalities”

1. 

   Josie

   August 22, 2024

   I have a question. What if I wanted to make a really well made smart character, but I’m kinda dumb? Or a really funny character, but I’m not funny at all?

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   1. 

      Josie

      August 22, 2024

      Oh I just realized I commented on the wrong post 😭

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      1. 

         Abigail Fredrickson

         August 22, 2024

         Okay first off, Josie, I think you are funny, and that dumb is an extremely relative term.

         Second off, time to address the actual questions.
         One way to make a really smart character is to do a lot of research in the field(s) that they’re knowledgable in. Even if you’re not very knowledgeable in it, a little research can sometimes go a long way. If you write in third person, you don’t always have to go super in-depth on the topic either, since you aren’t always in the character’s head. You can also reach out to someone who is already knowledgable on the topic and ask them questions related to it. If there’s a problem the character needs to solve, you can take the time to come up with a solution to it (however long it is), and then have them come up with that in a few minutes. But do your research, I can’t stress this enough. Research is often a writer’s best friend, even if several hours of it are only put into one or two lines. I’m sure every writer has things in their history that are concerning or odd or just straight up random. You won’t be the first, and you won’t be the last.

         One very important thing to keep in mind when writing smart characters is that they DON’T know everything, and most likely don’t even know everything about that subject they’re knowledgable in. No one does. They’re still human, and it’s still going to show. Another couple warnings I’d give are do NOT try to make everyone around them dumber just so that they look smart. That’s just one normal person surrounded by idiots, it’s not what you’re trying to do, and the readers will notice. Also don’t make the character use a whole bunch of big smart sounding words just for the sake of trying to make them sound smart. There are not a lot of people, impressively smart or not, who talk like that. You can use the topic-specific big words when they’re talking about that subject, but in day-to-day conversation they’ll often simply talk like a normal person, unless that’s genuinely just how that person talks, in which case, use all the big words your heart desires.

         This is all assuming you’re referring to that specific type of intelligence (because that’s what the culture today often means when they say that). Because another thing to keep in mind is that there are a LOT of different kinds of intelligence. You could have a biologist who is the greatest in their field, but doesn’t know how to change their tire. You may have an incredible inventor who’s constantly coming up with new and better ways to do things, but who doesn’t have a lick of common sense. There may be an incredibly street-smart person who thinks on their feet like nobody else, but they may not have the emotional intelligence to navigate social situations in any way that ISN’T awkward. The opposite is also true! So just keep that in mind.

         Moving on to the funny character. Just like how intelligence varies, so does humor. No one is going to respond to one type of humor in the same way, and even those people who purposefully practice using multiple kinds of humor will find some come more natural than others. So pick the type of humor your character uses most often, and if it’s not one you’re used to, do some research! Look up the jokes or witty quips it uses, or ask someone for suggestions. Remember too that it’s possible for someone to be humorous completely by accident! They may have made a suggestion, completely serious, but everyone around them thought they were making a joke. Also, someone may have just made the funniest joke in the world, but had it fall flat because the delivery wasn’t right.

         More goes into humor than just the words. Consider facial expressions, tone, body language, even timing. Try different quips or phrases until you find one that fits into the scene. Make a list you can use for reference. If you need to take time to come up with the perfect joke, that’s okay! What matters is the quality, not how long it takes to make a scene. (Unless you’re literally on a deadline for some reason.) Experiment until something fits. Ask yourself what makes you laugh, what makes your friends and family laugh.

         Just remember that not everyone will always find the same kind of humor funny, so don’t be upset if someone doesn’t find your funny character all that funny, not everyone will.

         I hope this helps!

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