1. TheDarkWriter

    TheDarkWriter Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2012
    Messages:
    177
    Likes Received:
    19

    Character with multiple personalities or siblings?

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by TheDarkWriter, Dec 2, 2016.

    I'm very undecided with this character the idea is that this character is like Sakon and Ukon from the anime Naruto. Basically more than one sibling living in the same body however they sometimes separate but due to complex reasons as long as one lives they all live. I'm worried this will get confusing and will be too complicated. I keeping thinking of going with either three or four like one personality/sibling will represent the id, ego, super ego and for a fourth I'm considering a representation of shadow.

    The idea is that it's supposed to be a surprise/twist but I don't know if I'm over doing it. Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2011
    Messages:
    1,566
    Likes Received:
    1,655
    Location:
    Manchester UK
    Sounds interesting but I'd bet it'd be quite a slog keeping things clear and understandable. On screen multiple personas or supernatural possessions are portrayed with quite polar changes in character (think Sybil (Sally Fields)). They're visual, audible and obvious. In writing, you're gonna have to pull out your big guns of expression to pull it off.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2016
  3. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2016
    Messages:
    22,566
    Likes Received:
    25,882
    Location:
    East devon/somerset border
    In phantom prey John Sandford did this with a schizophrenic person , and wrote the personas so that initially they appeared to be different people... it gradually becmes apparent to the reader through the book that they are not.
     
  4. Moth

    Moth Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    87
    If you're planning on including multiple personalities (Dissociative Identity Disorder) in your story then be prepared to do a lot of research on the topic.

    That being said, as long as you don't over-complicate the mechanics of it - and explain clearly how it works - then you shouldn't have any issue with people getting confused. Though I wouldn't save it for a plot twist - it comes off as too corny/cheap to me, like "it was his evil brother all along" or "she wasn't actually dead - dun, dun duuuh".

    Also, be prepared to answer the typical questions of "how did the character end up like this in the first place?" and "does this add to or take away from the story as a whole?"
     
    pamedria and SethLoki like this.
  5. SethLoki

    SethLoki Retired Autodidact Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2011
    Messages:
    1,566
    Likes Received:
    1,655
    Location:
    Manchester UK
    @Moth 's right, anyone (well read) reading it will maybe tut at the trope. I do recall giving a nod to Chuck Palahniuk mind with Fight Club. Yeah, he got me there.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice