《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 98: Writing smart characters
Advertisement
asks: How do you write a character and their actions when they are much smarter than you?
You don't have to be a genius to write about one. You just have to demonstrate how smart they are in the story. There are different ways to do this.
If your character is book-smart, it will be easy to look up information regarding their areas of expertise. Then during conversation, the character can casually mention that babies have about 100 more bones than adults do, or that polar bears are nearly undetectable by infrared cameras. (Did I look smart just now? I literally went to Google and searched "little known science trivia".) The context of the conversation will matter, of course. The character can't be walking around spouting facts like some kind of Rain Man (unless that's your character). Be thoughtful where these facts will make sense in a conversation. They could be used as a metaphor for something else.
Characters with superior intellects are more challenging to write because their brains just work differently from the average person's. Sherlock Holmes is a great example. He's able to notice things most people don't and then connect that information with other facts. The good news is you don't need to have a Sherlock intellect to write such a character. As the author, you have all the facts already, so all you need to do is divulge some of the more obvious details.
For example, they could be trying to find a missing person, and they're in the house examining photos. One investigator will note that the missing person likes the beach, then the smart one can look more closely and notice a rare plant in the photo, then reveal that the plant could only be found in a certain part of the city. Boom, smart person!
Advertisement
Some people are very smart and they know it. They also let everyone around them know it. Arrogance from feeling superior is a very real thing. Sometimes they project this arrogance as a defense mechanism to hide the fact that they don't actually know much. Or they may project this arrogance because they think that's all their good for. Room for character development!
Still stuck? Think about movie characters that seem very smart to you. Watch how they are portrayed in the movie. Think about some smart friends or coworkers you might have. How do they behave? How do you know they're smart? Think about applying some of those things into your story, and you'll be well on your way.
Advertisement
- In Serial12 Chapters
The Core, The Recordings of Raan - Fantasy LitRPG Story
The blue screens all around blink like crazy with red letters saying how I'm dead. I rage and wave my hands, but punch nothing but air. Then I remember what I was told, breathe in deeply, trying to steady my mind, smooth my anger, letting the blue vertigo take me with it, letting myself go...Hard-time convicts from a space orbital penitentiary are sent to a hostile planet where odds of survival are minimal. To make things even worse, their memories seemed to be wiped clean. But their killers' instincts are not, and they soon kick in.For a space wars old-timer Raan, it's all different. He remembers everything. And that's a problem. As others fight for survival, he remembers how most of them, himself included, should not even deserve to have a second chance.In a strange new world, as he fights his own demons, he is faced with new ones whose names he does not even know. But giving up is not inside his DNA and fight on he must. For to stop is to die, and to die means he failed, failed himself and all those who still desperately need him.***The Author's Note:This is another in the Core series, the first one being The Wardens of Destiny while there is also a side story The Memoires of Eisen that's exclusive on Patreon for those who would like to support me.The Recordings of Raan occurs after the events in The Wardens of Destiny, and it's a separate thread from the main story. Among other things, I separated it into a new book as it has elements of progressive LitRPG and a fantasy-world setting.Since I'll keep on writing The Wardens of Destiny, this will be one of my side-projects. Eventually in the future, I plan to integrate some of the protagonists in this story with the main storyline.
8 77 - In Serial13 Chapters
God save the king ➳ Cauis Volturi
"If they ever meet, it's going to be the end of life as we know it" -Alice-"I thought you were my friend! Friends don't hide this type of things!" -Anthea- "Just say the word, and I'll kill them all" -Caius- " Just... Do it" -Anthea-Slow updates
8 158 - In Serial11 Chapters
Oceaniq
One century ago the world was changed. In forty terrible days and forty terrible nights the oceans rose to swallow the land. Now only the sea and the island nations remain.Naoto Aequitas knows that he is... different. A scaleless mer, he was raised by his father on the outskirts of an underwater nereid city. He knows the ins and outs of his corner of the ocean and has never met another nereid like him.Charles Denali grew up around boats. Part of the second generation of humans born after the Second Flood, life in one of the smaller island nations isn't easy - especially when your luck is as fickle as Charles's.When they both end up stranded on a mysterious island that's home to a hungry amphibious creature, they must work together to defeat it and find a way home. But being stranded on a deserted island with a monster is the least confusing thing about their new partnership.
8 198 - In Serial199 Chapters
A Cheap, OP Brawler
A young Japanese man with eyes that take him as a 'demon,' Jinma Kotori, is killed by his former shady company and gets a second chance to live in a new fantasy RPG-like world as a bodacious goddess' 'Champion.' He begins his new life with the world's default starter class, a Brawler, and a defense-based blessing. Much to the goddess' surprise, Jinma's stats were already high for a human before the blessing was granted, and his first encounter in the new world of Raiza is a high-leveled, Special Monster ... A typical isekai harem story with video-game mechanics and OP MC with monster girls as his main focus of love interests. Adult language, scenes, and content involving sex and gore are to be expected. Viewer discretion is advised. This story is also published on webnovel.com and scribblehub.com If you'd like to give support for all of my stories and access exclusive content, please go to my subscribestar to do so. subscribestar dot adult slash orangerain
8 142 - In Serial161 Chapters
Am i a goddess? A devil? No i am a lizard
Summary: A rotten country has summoned heroes without anyone’s permission like usual. Typical. The three heroes are like any normal heroes - They accept their task to save the world. However, when the fourth hero appeared... "AAH! NOO ONIICHAN! THAT PLACE IS..." She got caught in the middle of playing eroge. This is a story of a girl who does whatever she wants, whenever she wants, to live the way she wants. Not as a villain or a hero, but as a pervert.
8 209 - In Serial12 Chapters
Neglected- Sun/moon x child reader
You where getting neglected and abused by your parents. They took you to this really nice pizza place and put you in the daycare. They never came back. You spent most of your days crying in the tunnels and play pins of the daycare. No one noticed your parents never picked you up. Until one day the daycare Attendant ,sun, noticed that your parents never picked you up.
8 84

