I feel a bit intimidated coming with a question but do you have any tips on writing a character who are much much smarter than yourself? I'm sure there have been people who have written or roleplayed "genius" or "prodigy" characters who aren't either of those but I'm thinking more about showing such a character's knowledge/skills without seeming like I'm reciting it from a textbook.
If you’re writing a character that is a “genius” or “prodigy”, nine out of ten times they’re a genius/prodigy at something specific. It’s very rare to find a ~genius~ that is actually just a flat out genius as it’s very hard to pin down specifically what makes someone a genius; there are no clear, subjective measures that can be used to classify these things. While some people base these things off intelligent quotients (IQ), this measurement is far from ideal. As such, many times people are deemed these things by their ability of knowledge, understanding, overall extraordinary intelligence, and amazing creativity in a subject or field. So to begin with, figure out in what ways is your character a “genius”? Are they a genius with math, a science field, book smart, worldy, etc.? That would be a great place to begin.
Or, you could take a very general approach and construct the definition of a genius to simply mean someone with an extraordinary above average intelligence.
Many times, though not always, people with above average intelligence (based off the IQ measurements) think logically and are capable of understanding things — such as solutions to certain problems — faster than the average person; however, this does not always mean they’re riddled with the answers right away. When you think of someone who is smarter than the average person, remember they are also a human being and error is still possible. Here are some good tips to writing a better intellectuals in general that can help with doing just this. And here is a whole rant that might help you out more with this as well.
Now, for in whatever way your character is a genius/prodigy, writing this out to where it doesn’t look like you’re simply reciting a textbook can be tricky.
Research their brand of genius - If you’ve figured out what your character is going to be a fucking whiz kid at, the best thing you can do is research the field or subject until your heart’s content, and then keep researching. Talk to someone experienced in the field or subject you’ve chosen, read about them, learn what you can from them. If you don’t know the field or subject very well, it will be painfully obvious that neither does your character, and it’s the one sure way to expose to a reader that this character isn’t what they claim to be.
Don’t focus on what they say, but do - Actions speak louder than words, and instead of having your character recite the fucking dictionary to show off, have them do something. Smart decisions, cunning plans, and spot-on moves (though not every time) should be something your character does almost serendipitously in their field if they’re no joke about it.
Plan ahead - Work out plots with the other people you’re roleplaying with and try to always plan ahead whether you let them on it or not. Sometimes doing this will allow you to create clever responses, clever actions and reactions, clever solutions — it can help create scenarios where your character can shine and show the reader their intelligence.
Avoid ~genius~ cliches - Your character might not speak a whole lot, as people that speak too much or ramble on tend to be perceived as annoying; and just because your character is a proclaimed genius of some kind doesn’t mean they have to speak in some Spock-type way. They could easily speak slang just like you and me. Your character also might be quiet and keep to themselves, or they could be outgoing and almost entirely irritating. Have fun with it, and don’t nail yourself down to any ‘one way’ people perceive intellectuals.
Here are some things to read that might help you. Best of luck!
The Nine Types of Intelligence
Five Things TV Writers Apparently Believe About Smart People
Writing Characters That Are Smarter Than You
How To Write a Character That’s Smarter Than You Are
All That Is Prime: Writing Character Who Are Smarter Than You
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