The Art of Crafting an Inner Monologue: A Guide to Creating a Compelling Character's Thoughts

 

As readers, we are often drawn to characters that have depth, complexity, and a unique inner life. One way to achieve this is by crafting a compelling inner monologue for your character. The inner monologue is the stream of thoughts that go through a character's mind as they go about their day-to-day life. It allows the reader to get inside the character's head, understand their motivations, fears, and desires, and empathize with them on a deeper level. In this blog post, we'll go over the in-depth steps on the creation of the inner monologue of a character.

Know Your Character

The first step to creating a convincing inner monologue is to know your character inside and out. You need to understand their personality, backstory, fears, hopes, and dreams. The more you know about your character, the easier it will be to craft a unique inner dialogue that rings true to their character.

For example, if your character is a shy introvert, their inner monologue might be filled with self-doubt, anxiety, and a constant inner critic. On the other hand, if your character is a confident extrovert, their inner monologue might be full of bold, assertive thoughts.

Think About Context

The context in which your character is in will heavily influence their inner monologue. For example, if your character is in a tense situation, their inner monologue might be focused on survival instincts and fight or flight responses. Alternatively, if your character is in a peaceful environment, their inner monologue might be more reflective and contemplative.

Use Imagery and Sensory Details

In order to bring your character's inner monologue to life, it's important to use sensory details and vivid imagery. This helps the reader feel like they are inside the character's head, experiencing their thoughts firsthand.

For example, instead of simply stating that your character is feeling sad, you could describe the sensations they are experiencing in their body, such as a heavy feeling in their chest or a lump in their throat.

Use Dialogue Tags

Dialogue tags are a useful tool for indicating when your character is speaking to themselves internally. You can use tags such as "she thought" or "he wondered" to indicate when your character is having an internal dialogue.

For example, "Why did I say that?" she wondered, feeling embarrassed.

Show, Don't Tell

One of the most important rules in writing is to show, not tell. This applies to creating an inner monologue as well. Rather than telling the reader what your character is thinking and feeling, show it through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

For example, instead of saying "she was nervous," you could show her fidgeting with her hands or avoiding eye contact.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling inner monologue is a vital part of creating a memorable and complex character. By following these steps, you can create an inner dialogue that rings true to your character's personality, context, and experiences. Remember to use sensory details, dialogue tags, and to show, not tell. With a well-crafted inner monologue, your character will come alive on the page and captivate your readers.