Hello everyone! [disclaimer > I'm french so apologies in advance for any grammar mistakes, I'm doing my best] I am a new member on this board and I hope it's ok for me to post a question here. I have seriously started to write a story I've had in mind for years. I started last year after months spent working on different ideas for backstory purpose etc. However, I probably lack method a bit (I have been reading some books about plot development, outlining the story etc) but it is not a method that works well for me. I tend to go back and forth between writing the story - letting it, and the characters I have, lead me somewhere - then use the flow of ideas that stems from the writing session for backstory. then I go back and rewrite the plot outline etc. That's what works right now for me to progress. The reason I am posting this is because because of this, I realised yesterday just how half baked some of my characters are - since I did not yet really work on them yet. Reading again this first trial at a (potentially first) chapter, I also noticed that (without meaning it), I made my main character pretty introvert - the not shy kind. He is averse to small talk, doesn't want to engage with people if he deems it unnecessary, is not much social with his colleagues either. He keeps himself to himself mostly. He also is the character that speaks the less, and most of my narration from his point of view is for the most part internal dialogue. Now I'm wondering - is that such a good idea ? Would readers have a harder time to relate to such a character ? He is never going to be your all-out, invested character. Is that a risk to have him look dull or boring ? I noticed in the genre I like (kind of fantasy but not high fantasy or fantastic novels - mostly alternate reality type of world) this type of characters does exist but they are generally supporting characters and it can work as they are not the main one - it is effective in giving those characters that are not the focus some kind of mystery and make them intriguing. But perhaps my main character should be more accessible ? Thoughts?
I don't see any problem with that. Like a third of the population is introverted, and the population of people who read fiction is almost certainly significantly more introverted than the general population. If anything, introversion is probably going to make your character more relatable to your audience. What do you mean 'all-out invested'?
Hello DK3654! Thanks for your response and remarks! sorry, what I meant is, he is never going to be this very passionate lead character that makes you want to root for him. He's probably going to have a calmer tone of voice in challenging situation. He's not going to be "we will endure and be victorious! yay!". He is going to be " Danger is real. Sh*t is getting real. Odds are, we're as good as dead, but let's try and fight nonetheless."
Well, in my WIP my MC is fairly introverted. She prefers to disengage from most people, but oftentimes doesn't have a choice in the matter. I put her in situations where she has to act. Sometimes this is because of a sense of responsibility, sometimes it's because she's in a bad situation and being passive just won't cut it. I think you can certainly make an introverted character be engaging. I might be fooling myself, of course, but I that's my two cents.
That sounds more realistic than anything else. Not everyone is a motivational leader, and fighting because "it's fight or die despite the odds" is more interesting than "we will win!" because it makes the danger seem more real.
Again, that sounds like a large portion of people. In terms of strongly introverted MCs, an example that comes to mind is Quentin Coldwater from The Magicians.
Hello Solzephyr ! Thanks a lot for your feedback, I will keep it in mind! DK3654, thanks for your input, I will look up The Magicians!
