Writing Voice Exercise – A Narcissistic Character
Exercise: Create a self-centered, insecure, character using a narcissistic voice. Place the character in a corporate setting where he or she expected a promotion but did not get it. Instead, the promotion went to a person your character does not respect based on some frivolous trait the person has. Be sure to include thoughts and dialogue to create a three dimensional portrait of your narcissistic character.
Purpose: The purpose of this exercise is to help you understand different personalities and how you must bring them to life in your stories.
With a Narcissistic personality “people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. They believe that they’re superior to others and have little regard for other people’s feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.” – Mayo Clinic
Your goal then would be to also make the contrast between what this person shows on the outside and what they feel on the inside and how this duality would affect how they perceive disappointment, what they feel they deserve in life and work, and his or her relationships.
Tips: Before you start this exercise decide what this character feels he or she is superior at. Then decide what this person is truly capable of and what others around them feel he or she is capable of. Also include dialogue within his or her own thoughts as well as dialogue this person has with co-workers before they learn they didn’t get the promotion and after they learn this information.
