The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Finding Your Character's Secret

I’ve been thinking about what makes a character feel “real.” The things that make humans tick.

One thing I’ve noticed is that no one sees themselves as the villain. Everyone—even the most flawed person—has a story they tell themselves to justify why they do what they do. I call this the “Internal Autobiography.”

If your character feels a bit flat, it’s probably because they are reacting to your plot, rather than acting on their own secrets. Ask yourself: What is the one thing this person believes about themselves that isn’t actually true?

Maybe they think they are a protector, but they are actually a control freak. Maybe they think they are a coward, but they are actually just waiting for something worth fighting for. That tension is where the story lives.

The Monroe Minute: Write one paragraph as your character, but have them explain their biggest mistake. Watch how they try to make themselves look like the “good guy” in the story. That “spin” they put on the truth? That’s their voice.

Until the next page,
Sloane S. Monroe

Sloane Shay Monroe

I don’t write to idealize love, but to explore it honestly, with emotional precision and depth.