How to Write a Naive Character? 10 Tips for Character Development

Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Introduction

If you’re looking for a character unaware of the world around them, naive is the perfect word for you! Naive characters are often innocent, sheltered, and unassuming. They tend to be very trusting and have little or no experience with how the world works. This makes them easy to root for and often provides humorous moments as they stumble around in life, unaware of the dangers. Follow these guidelines to write a naive character that your readers will love.

Top 10 tips for a naive character development

Writing credible characters with whom viewers may identify is one of the most basic tasks of a writer or screenwriter. You’ll need to provide s that make them seem like humans for them to be realistic.

#1 Let it be flawed!

A flawed character is a remarkable character. Unless something else connects them with your audience, an unbeatable main character who can do everything isn’t as interesting to read about.

#2 Give them motivation

Understanding who a character is and what motivates them revolves around their goals. A bad guy must have a valid reason to be cruel or naive to be a good guy.

#3 Write from a realistic viewpoint

Inspiration from actual human beings in our lives is sometimes required for creative writing. Building your fictitious character on a solid foundation of people you know, such as family members or friends, is a fantastic way to guarantee you’re writing a genuine person rather than a caricature.

#4 Write mannerisms

Little details about a person’s demeanor, traits, or physical gestures may help them feel more grounded in reality. In fiction writing, little details that make characters appealing, endearing, strange, or distinctive may assist you to create more memorable people by combining a variety of traits.

#5 Make them oppositional

Oppositional sidekicks are some of the most significant literary characters, and they will even undermine the protagonist. Imagine yourself as Dr. For his drug use, Watson chastises Sherlock Holmes. By giving opposing viewpoints to secondary characters, you may examine your topics from different angles, adding depth and keeping the reader interested.

#6 Reveal them through details!

Each writer approaches character development in his or her way, whether purposefully or not. Balzac’s character’s physical appearance was his primary focus. Dashiell Hammett never gave him anything, whereas Charles Dickens provided him with food. Some writers, such as Flaubert, focus on revealing character via clothing, whereas others focus on mannerisms or looks. Here, you can also take the help of an AI story writer, where you’re only required to select a creative story template and tone of voice and enter the story’s plot to get it all done just by hitting a button. And, trust us, AI is better at revealing even intricate details!

#7 Surprise your readers

Your readers will be surprised by the most exciting characters. Consider this: We don’t have to worry about things that are constant. We pay attention when something surprising occurs, such as a wolf emerging from the woods.

The naive characters are one of fiction’s best and most popular characters. They represent a type that is often considered more appealing than those characters who have become jaded or cynical. When compared with these types, naive characters seem to be less experienced or knowledgeable about life, but they tend not to make mistakes, nor do they feel remorse for their actions when wrongdoings take place because of being completely trusting and unjudgmental towards others in general—as well as people around them.

#8 Write a realistic dialogue

The way your character speaks through your writing has a significant influence on how a reader imagines them. The more lifelike they’ll feel, the more organic their conversations with other characters are. Dialogue should accurately represent your character’s background and stay true to the time period in which the tale takes place.

#9 Create beautiful memories

Make sure that the characters you create are memorable in some way when they’ll be introduced to the reader more than once. Try to give each character a quirk or trait that will be useful later in identifying who they are. 

Choosing innocence is essential to set in your story so that it seems natural and not forced. For some readers, innocence will be a good thing (positive); for others, this can make the character boring or irritating (harmful).

#10 Offer them the ideal skills

Your characters should be able to operate in your society because of their abilities. If you’ve selected to set your book on the moon, make sure your character has a space suit or learns how to use one.

Final Words

The story between the naive character and the society differs from that of an experienced or practical person. So, it takes time to understand one’s psyche. When creating a naïve character, there are certain steps that you should take. One of them is to start with more straightforward tasks such as reporting an incident or asking for directions to remove their fear of speaking up. Observe how they interact with strangers in real life, and keep observing their behavior until you know what makes them tick!

In case you’re still stuck on creating a new character, feel free to comment down your queries below!

Related FAQs

How do you create deeper characters in fiction?

Characters are the heart and soul of any story, and if you want them to be compelling and engaging, you need to create them in a way that is authentic. To do this, start by understanding your motivations and emotions. What drives you? Why are things important to you? Once you know where your protagonist’s character roots lie, begin developing their backstory. This should include what they experienced as children, how they became who they are today, and any traumatic events or experiences that have shaped them into the person they are now.
 
Once everything is laid out for your characters, it’s time for the plot! As with all fiction writing, plot out each step of their journey before bringing them to life on paper or screen. Make sure every scene has a purpose—no detail should go unnoticed—and always aim for symmetry between good and bad guys so that readers can quickly identify with one side.

How do I write a character to contradict its values?

This question is difficult to answer without more information about your story. However, one way to explore this idea is by thinking about who your story’s main antagonist or protagonist might be. This character may have diametrically opposed values in direct conflict with the other characters, resulting in dramatic tension and engaging storytelling.

What is naivete?

In fiction, naivete can be a good thing. It’s not always bad, naivete is usually just what you need to make characters more believable and less predictable. The naivete of the main character makes him or her more likable, but it also has its limits which must be kept in mind when writing a story involving naïve characters.
 
A naive character is one that doesn’t realize and understand reality. To show naivety in a story, you must first introduce the naivety of your characters. You have to create an atmosphere where every detail seems surreal or unbelievable until it occurs. In this case, the background wouldn’t be enough because many people can relate to other people’s lives and their own experiences, so they know what’s normal for them, but sometimes we don’t want to get too explicit about how unusual everything is.

How many different ways can I describe my main character?

If you’re looking to write an engaging and exciting answer to a question with an interesting start, you may want to consider writing about your main character. An excellent way to do this is by creating a backstory that explains their motivation and why they are essential in the story. Additionally, flesh out their personality traits and include some unique quirks.
Doing this will make your readers feel like they know your protagonist well, encouraging them to keep reading until the end. In addition, giving your character’s arc (a gradual change over time) will make them more believable and compelling on paper.

Is it better to keep the context of your story in mind when writing a naive character, or should you just start writing and let the story unfold naturally?

Since it largely depends on your writing story, this is a difficult question. Some stories may work better with a naive character who knows very little about the world, while others might be more effective if the reader understands exactly how things work from the start. Ultimately, as the writer, it is up to you to choose between the two options for your unique project.
 
When crafting your characters, it is crucial to consider their personalities and behavior regarding their surroundings. For example, someone who grew up isolated in an unfamiliar environment would likely be quite naïve when interacting with people outside of that context.

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