#insane characters

[bdemonbull72]

Mr. Banana Brain: They smell like dead bodies.

Quackerjack: Well, that's not a nice thing to say, Mr. Banana Brain. What's a nicer way to tell a friend that they smell like gore? Mr. Banana Brain: Maybe we could ask if they want to take a bubble bath?

[citrine-queen]

Couldnt sleep so made an unhinged engie edit.

[valan]

So, I've recently been watching Re:Zero and the character lore goes so hard.

I LOVE insane main characters. Especially the ones who have been mentally fucked with. It's so good. Like mmm yummy yummy angst and trauma

Waiter! Waiter! More of that, please!

[writernellwinter]

.....

My brain needs to HUSH, I swear.

Listening to music, minding my own business.

Mind: YES, BUT AMENSIC VILLAIN HUA CHENG + INSANE XIE LIAN AU SERIES

Soooooo.... guess what I'm doing, guys T^T.

To make matters worse? I'm having fun making these insane characters T^T

If you want to see me post Villain here or any of the one-shots in the Problems series, please let me know, I'll be happy to let y'all join my suffering

[tropes-and-advice]

Tips for writing a good "insane" character and avoiding being ableist

Two types of mental breaks/dangerous people will be covered here

Those that are dangerous to themselves and those that are dangerous to others

Mental vs Psychotic Break

If the character is dangerous to themselves they might be more withdrawn and untrusting

Stress that a mental break can be extremely scary for the person experiencing it and that they dont mean to hurt anyone

They're more likely to be avoided and isolated than anything

If they are institutionalized you should make sure they arent forgotten about/tossed to the side

Study causes and signs of minor breakdowns

Now read memos from people who actually had a mental breaks

Avoid offensive language and slurs

DO NOT use them as some oooOo scary edgy character

Mental breaks are more tragic than entertaining

Something should trigger it/it shouldnt come out of nowhere

Now if the character actively hurts others

They are more likely to be charismatic and blend in at first

Stress that they are CHOOSING to hurt people

Avoid labels and hard diagnosing them

Just let it be "this person experienced fucked up things and decided to become an asshole"

Don't ascribe some big meaning or message to it

If they are a murderer then study murderers and their MO's if you have the stomach for it and want to do some research

remember "the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) states that the motives of serial killers can include anger, thrill-seeking, financial gain, and attention seeking." (wikipedia)

AVOID GLORIFYING THEM/THEIR ACTIONS

Make them an asshole, make them snobby and unlikable because that's what people/characters who actively harm others are

[she-who-fights-and-writes]

How do I create a borderline insane character? Like she hears voices in her head telling her what to do, argues with her, and is just basically like another person living with her head. Should I write out the dialogue happening in italics and her fighting with the voice?

Yes. Definitely put it in italics or a different font in order to differentiate who’s talking aloud and who’d talking within this character’s head.

[writing-ideas-inc]

How are you supposed to write a character that's unpredictable and maybe slightly insane?

Hi! Well, I think you have to decide how you're using the word 'insane'. If you mean clinical insanity (which is actually a legal term) then a fair amount of research must be done. Here's some starting places: •https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-therapy/200907/the-definition-insanity-is• http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-types-illness•http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-psychotic-disordersIf by insane, you mean eccentric, loony, strange, etc. then I reccomend some of the following behaviors: • illogical, 'out there' plans • spontaneous actions that aren't the most simple ways to solve a problem • rapid speech • big imagination • bizzare hobbies/ obsessions (ex. fondness of 15th century poetry) • lack of sympathy/ empathy (not a complete absence though) • emotional or rapidly changing moods • isn't good with social nonsense like small talk • uncommon habits (ex. wearing a different hat for every day of the week)