Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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How to write an insane character?
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First, I think you should decide (and tell us) in which way you want her to be likeable. Do you want the reader to understand and sympathise with her, vaguely admire her (because her actions have a sense of justice behind them, although in an exaggerated and anti-social way) or just enjoy reading about her (e.g. by giving her a sharp sense of humour or some such thing)? It would also be helpful to know in which direction you want her insanity to go. Whatever you decide, strike a balance. Establish a believable link between cause and effect. Nobody will like a character who, for example, becomes a serial killer just because her best friend died. On the other hand, don't overdo it. It can become tiresome to read about self-pitying characters' whiny self-justifications, if overdone.
Ulrik wrote: "First, I think you should decide (and tell us) in which way you want her to be likeable. Do you want the reader to understand and sympathise with her, vaguely admire her (because her actions have a..."Wow thank you so much for your very informative answer! I want her to be sympathetic in the fact that she doesn't want a normal life like everyone also doesn't-she wants other things besides school and a career-then realizes that the cliche "the grass isn't greener on the other side" is true. Then she witnesses terrible atrocities and is unable to deal with them and the fact that she has someone else's memories inside of her head, contradicting everything she believes. So she slowly spirals into madness.
It sounds like a rather interesting idea. Although I would add that creating a likeable insane character puts you at odds with the reader. This is just my point of view but what is the backdrop and time period of the piece? That may play a big part in the story as well as who the story is being catered to. "Insanity is relative. It depends on who has who locked in what Cage"- Ray Bradbury
This sounds like a really interesting twist. I'd just like to say: it's important to keep the character from going completely insane. If she doesn't at least retain a sense of self, the story will spiral into a narrative about someone who is clinically insane. That's an even bigger blow if the character is sympathetic.
If you've ever read Mockingjay (Hunger Games trilogy), think of Katniss. Katniss lapsed into essential madness in the end of the book and was almost unable to cope with her memories and keep living her life because everything reminded her of those atrocities. When that happens to a character, it makes her less sympathetic and more someone to pity.
Insanity covers a wide spectrum. You need to be specific if you want your character to be sympathetic and/or believable. Some main characters in other works might be worthwhile reading for you. Here are two very different sympathetic main characters in short works that some may deem insane. Check them out.
Amadeus
Inside Out
Anthony wrote: "It sounds like a rather interesting idea. Although I would add that creating a likeable insane character puts you at odds with the reader. This is just my point of view but what is the backdrop and..."Hmmm nice insight. I will definitely work with that.
Maggie wrote: "This sounds like a really interesting twist. I'd just like to say: it's important to keep the character from going completely insane. If she doesn't at least retain a sense of self, the story will..."
Oh that's a great point! Yes, I did feel pity for Katniss. Thank you again!
Stephen wrote: "Insanity covers a wide spectrum. You need to be specific if you want your character to be sympathetic and/or believable. Some main characters in other works might be worthwhile reading for you. H..."
Thank you so much! I will make sure to check these out!
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I have her questioning her morals and had her laugh at really inappropriate times-when someone died-and she recently bashed a body several times because her friends memories of the dead person was cheerful and she was seeing that and the corpse and couldn't handle it. What else can I do to make her LIKABLE AND INSANE IN 3RD PERSON? Thank you SO much!