How on earth do you get your shy character to interact with people? I have a character with a history of anxiety and severe depression (based on my own experiences with both) and hadn't really considered doing that to him would give him my own serious flaw: terrified to interact with people. I've sort of written myself in a corner where he doesn't want to meet new people and his depression makes it difficult to maintain his relationships. It doesn't help that he's an introvert. Suggestions?
An anonymous user also asked: How would you write a socially awkward character as the main character in a adventure/fantasy book? My character is like that and I keep writing situations that he doesnât contribute much to and Iâm not very sure how to get him properly involved, any advise?Â
These are just two examples, but as you can see this is a common question - obviously, as writers, we want to create diverse characters, but when it comes to writing those that are shy or who suffer an anxiety disorder or other mental illness which renders a person introverted, there is the question of, âhow do I get them to command the action as a main character?â
Although fiction is not real life, there can be parallels drawn between the two⌠and I believe that when you remain passive in life, life has a way of bringing the action to you. So personally I think that, when writing shy or reserved characters, if they canât be pushed to step forward and speak up, it helps to have someone - or something - else shine the spotlight onto them.
Drive Conflict, and Force Them!
What makes suffering depression, anxiety, or shyness in any capacity so hard, is that real life doesnât make allowances. The world forces you out of your comfort zone one way or another, so your storyâs world should do this to your characters too.Â
If he wonât go up to a stranger and talk, bring the stranger to him. If she canât interject into a heated conversation, make the conversation stop and focus on her input, whether she wants to give it or not. If they wonât leave the house, make something happen so that they absolutely have to leave (heck, take the whole house away if thatâs what you have to do!).
A lot of times, Iâve sat at home despairing about making a phone call or having to go out somewhere, but the Universe didnât realign itself so that I could live in my cocoon undisturbed - if real life wonât give you the luxury, your characters shouldnât have it either.
Think of the Consequences
Sometimes, being depressed, anxious, or chronically shy, a person might choose to neglect a responsibility or urgent matter, for which there will be consequences.
If your character wonât talk to a friend because he is depressed/anxious and believes they wonât want to hear from him, then he must care for this person, right? What if he found something out about that friend, and his options were: 1) get in contact, or 2) allow something awful to happen?
What will happen if he resists the action you want him to take? What is at stake? It should never just be ânothingâ. As the writer, youâre always giving your character choices; they can either go in the direction you want them to go in, and achieve/fail at something as a result, or not do what you want, and suffer the consequences.
There is only so long your character can sit on the sidelines before the consequences will spur him to act, even if it is hard for him.
Meddlesome Support Characters
Maybe itâs harsh to call them âmeddlesomeâ, but oftentimes in our lives, we have people who will always be there. Sometimes we want them to be there, even if we have a hard time showing it⌠or sometimes, we donât really want to pursue a relationship with someone, but they stick around anyway, despite any âsignalsâ we might give off in wishing for the contrary.
If your character isnât the type to maintain a new friendship, then it would be unrealistic if all of the people he meets are instantly turned off by him and refuse to ever speak to him again. All people have a brand of charisma that attracts some, and repels others. Whether they mean well, or bring ill will, is something you need to decide for yourself.
And even if your character struggles to maintain most relationships, there should be at least one where the other person(s) make the effort when he is unable to.
Pets are a great example to use for this, because they still need to be cared for, even on our darkest days. Even if the meddlesome character is a dog that just really wants to be taken for a walk, thatâs someone forcing their way into the main characterâs comfort zone, and taking him in places where the story can really begin.
tl;dr: if your character wonât do the thing of their own accord, bend the events and characters in the story so that they are forced to do the thing one way or another.
I hope this helpsâŚ! Itâs also worth keeping an eye out for follower responses in the replies/reblogs in case there are more tips to be had there too.
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