Character's thoughts vs. People's thoughts

Let us think about the thought process of humans (just because I am deep like that.)

Well, I don't know how everyone thinks, but I'm pretty sure I know how I think, and let me tell you something. The way I think is very very different from the way the characters in my stories think.

For example, a lot of times I don't finish my thoughts. Why would I?

It goes something like this:

"Why in the world would they do that? Why would they... I know what I was going to think, why think it? Wastes too much time."

Or...

"Wow, that was really... What's the word? Oh well... I know what it feels like. I saw it, I felt it. No one cares if I find the perfect word to describe it. No one even knows! This is all in my head! I don't... Yah I know what I was going to think, why finish?"

Sometimes I think, "why finish my thoughts? I know what I was going to think." But then I don't feel satisfied, so I end up finishing the thought and it's really awkward. Except it's not awkward because I was only talking to myself, and... Well, who cares?

I'm just realizing more and more that, us humans, we are run by our feelings. Often times when I am sad, and I really should be thinking really depressing thoughts, I am not actually thinking words at all. I am actually just letting my feelings take over.

But that is hard to describe, and so most writers make their characters think full thoughts, all the time. They never just, think with their feelings.

So what can we do to write our characters thoughts out more realistically? Hmm. Well, let us talk about some examples more and then maybe we'll think of something.

One example is that a lot of times, when something happens to someone I love, I think really selfish thoughts. Sure, I am worried for that person, too. But often times I think thoughts like, "Oh my goodness! I am so glad that didn't happen to me. What if it happens to me? But that's so selfish! I shouldn't be thinking thoughts like that! I am such a horrible person! Ahh!" And by then my emotions have taken over and I am not really thinking words, but just letting my heart cry its heart out.

A lot of times, when you read the thoughts of a character in a book, you can tell that they are not actual thoughts. They are sentences the writer has come up with to try and portray certain feelings. But they are not thoughts! They are perfectly worded, and perfectly un human. Like, have you ever read a book and been like, "Wow, these people have so much control over their thoughts! It is like they think deeply about what they are going to think before they think it!"

You know why? Because some writer out there has thought deeply about what that character was going to think, trying to use the perfect words, and all that.

So what can we writers do? How in the world are we supposed to portray our characters thoughts and still make it clear to the reader? Well... If this post didn't make any sense to you, probably you should not take my advice, because I can't even get my own thoughts on paper, let alone my character's thoughts! But if this did make a drop of sense to you, keep reading. 

First of all, I think it would help if... Who am I kidding? You have to be able to think like your characters.  If you can't think like your characters because you don't know your characters enough, you have an entirely different problem on your hands. Understand your characters! They should be your family! Sort of.

Secondly, you have to think deeply about the way you think. After you think a thought, take that thought and think deeply about the structure and everything about it. You might even be able to take some of your own thoughts and make them your character's. (I have always believed in making all your characters have a bit of you in them.) you should have plenty to choose from.

If you have not been through the same thing as your character is going through, (say, their dad dies, and you have no idea what it would be like for your dad to die.) you can always ask. If you don't know anyone who has been through the same situation as your character, there is always the World Wide Web.

Thirdly, read good books, and see how they do it. Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Leo Tolstoy are all great. Although I have never read anything by Tolstoy, I have heard that his characters are on a level of realisticness to the point where they are not even characters anymore, they are real live people.

If you have any more tips and advice on portraying your character's thoughts, make sure and comment! Even if you don't, then still comment! Reassure me that this post made some sense, please!

Perspective

So, maybe I am not being as deep as I think I'm being, but... Recently I've been thinking a lot about perspective.

I have been thinking about the way people treat other people just because they are different. For example, the way that adults treat kids, or the way "normal" people treat people with mental illnesses, or even physical illnesses.

First let's talk about how adults treat kids. Well, most adults.

A lot of adults treat kids like they are less than adults. And maybe it is true, kids do have a lot less experience than adults. But adults think that to be "childish" is a bad thing! Why? Why is being an adult any better? I see them as just different stages of your life, and there is no reason we shouldn't respect another person just because they aren't in the same stage of life as we are.

I respect little kids. You know why? Because they are so simple. So maybe they cry easily, but they also forgive easily. So maybe they have less experience, but that doesn't mean they aren't smart. Actually, they are in that learning stage, where they soak everything they hear in like a sponge. This makes them very fun to talk to.

They haven't been exposed to very much of the darkness of this world, which most people would consider to be naive, but why? Why is that such a bad thing? It only makes them have less cares. Why is having less cares and knowing less considered less worthy? It only makes them happier, and isn't that what most adults are trying to be, anyways? I think we could learn a lot from kids. Just as much as they learn from us.

Also, people with mental illnesses. "Normal" people think it is weird when people with mental illnesses slap themselves all over, or stare for long periods of time at the ceiling. But to them, it makes complete sense. They slap themselves to get rid of the bugs they feel are crawling all over their skin. Wouldn't you do the same? They look at the ceiling because why not?

Sometimes we treat people with physical illnesses the same way we treat people with mental ilnesses, even though their brains are completely the same as ours. Just because they look funny, doesn't mean they don't have the same kinds of emotions we do. 

I hope this made some sense to you, and that next time you see someone different from you, realize that you are not quite "normal" either. Everybody is different from everybody, and that is what connects us all, in a way.

Thanks for listening!

-Zoe