How to Write Characters Who Live in Solitude?

 

drawn by: Nili DooL

While solitude is the state or situation of being alone, it's not the same as loneliness; it's still a concept worth exploring in writing. Today, we'll explore how to write characters who live in solitude. we'll mainly focus on characters' lifestyle, their personality, their hobbies, interests and also explore the reason behind their solitude. 

LIFESTYLE

This is up to you, the writer. It could be any sort of lifestyle - this could mainly depend on the story you wish to tell. They can live a fully boring lifestyle (until the problem arrives), they could just spend the day listening to music, resting or doing other activities. They could have a certain life philosophy that could make them life the life of solitude.

Another idea, for example, if you wish to write about a character who feels lost in life, you can show them walking on the streets aimlessly.

PERSONALITY

Your character can be a complete loner to the point people don't even notice them, or be known and beloved, but they might not want to deal with people if not needed. You can make them stand out by the expressions they're making (such as cold expressions, tired face, being annoyed...). Also, by the clothes they're wearing, make-up, and accessories. Check out our blog post on how to write unique characters for more help with their personality.

Give them some sort of aura - intimidating, unfriendly or simply indifferent...

All of it sounds negative, but you could put a positive spin on it, such as them being friendly, but still not letting anyone get close ot them. Or, they could be helpful to everyone around them, still insisting on spending all of their free time.

HOBBIES, INTERESTS

If you want to make them more interesting, give them some hobbies, preferably ones that can be done alone. It could be pottery, reading, sculpting, writing, painting, playing chess, etc.

Your characters can simply try new things and find themselves.  You can make them participate in sports, even the ones that include groups, but make them either alienated from the rest of the group or detached from others. Here, exploring group dynamics with such a character could interest readers.

You can give them no hobbies or interests, they simply be the shell of a person (no pun intended).

CHARACTER'S REASON FOR SOLITUDE

Give them a reason for their solitude (it doesn't have to be negative or forced upon them). They might want to have more time for studying, wanting to avoid other people, finding social situations draining, declining mental health, anything can work, but you need to give them that reason.

You can give them no reason (if you're writing a mysterious character) and then work around it.

TRY NEW THINGS~

Your character might want to remain in solitude for the rest of their life, but the plot (or simply other characters, circumstances) could force them out of their comfort zone.

There could simply be a childhood friend that forces them out of their comfort zone, maybe they fall in love and realise they're craving some sort of intimacy in their lives... give them the problem that forces them to ask for help from other people, or at least reach out.

The world is your oyster, especially in your writing world.

by: Nili DooL