Characters and charisma

 I read an interesting statement this week: 

there are only three ways to influence others: 

force, reason, or charm.

I must remember that when thinking about characters in a book. What do I think the  word charisma  actually means? Too many folk are labelled as celebrities these days. Most of them are unknown to me, so it seems celebrity does not mean global recognition these days, but recognition in a rather small pond. 

If someone is charismatic they are often described as magnetic, charming and beautiful or handsome. Biographies of these people often hint that at rock bottom they are simply greedy and one of those three words - force, reason or charm - to get what they desperately need. Underneath the charm, they are often found to be bullies, or narcissists and most have a need to win any battle that comes their way.

This sort of thinking has come to the fore recently and the buzz word is narcissist; the name Markle comes to mind. 

Authors can build these traits into a character. If your latest creations, like mine, are about crimes and working police, then you have lots of scope, for charismatic people choose jobs that bring them what they need. Many are lawyers, and police figure on the list, along with chefs and surgeons. The villains are often  tarred with the same characteristics. Remember all those murderers who charmed ladies into victimhood?