I like scenes where characters talk to themselves. Both as a member of the audience and as a creator. Here are a few reasons why:
- Foreshadowing
- Irony
- Attitude
- Inner Life
Foreshadowing
The character says something out loud to themselves that later comes true, or its opposite later comes true in a way the character couldn’t have anticipated. Which leads to…
Irony
Something occurs later that is unexpected and may be opposite of what the character anticipated when they spoke out loud to themselves. Example; “I’m going to win at the racetrack today.” Of course, the character loses. And they lost in some significant or poignant way — say by the horse they thought surely wouldn’t win. Or by the horse that somebody told them for sure wouldn’t win. Things don’t just go wrong, they go magnificently wrong.
Attitude
The character talking to themselves shows off that character’s attitude towards life, good or bad fortune, and themselves. Which leads to…
Inner Life
We all have an ‘inner life’ that follows us around throughout all our experiences. Some might call this a conscience. To me it’s an inner monologue. It’s the voice of self in your head that follows you throughout the day. Something happens to you and you think to yourself, “That figures.” or “I saw that coming.”
We all have an inner voice, an inner life that takes place entirely inside our heads. Most other people don’t get to see our inner life — our train of thoughts as we go about our business. Letting the audience in on this inner life is one way to endear the character to them.
In movies, characters talking to themselves is often a source of comic relief for all the reasons above.
Give your characters an inner voice. Let your characters talk to themselves.
Yes, I like that too, mostly because the inner-monologue reveals so much about the character, especially if the POV is somewhat more distant.
Hi Eric :)
Great advice! I have been looking for a way to deal with a messiah-type character that is thrown into a modern world with very little knowledge of his surroundings but faced with the monumental task of righting all the wrongs. Though this might seem like it’s been done dozens of times before, I am writing this story in such a peculiar way that your recommended 4 reasons of why characters should talk to themselves will work best with what I am attempting to establish. Foreshadowing, Irony, Attitude, & Inner Life – I had never chained them together in that order before, and it seems that having foreshadowing & irony & attitude constantly cycling would lend itself to the building and the structure of the Inner Life. In my story, these 4 things in that exact order is perfect for conveying the fact that the hero was born yesterday and the world does not stop for anyone, even if they were the great savior that everyone is waiting for.
thanks!
Hi everyone, I personally hate this technique. I think it’s a copout. I’m currently reviewing a manuscript where a writer uses it excessively and I can’t tell you how annoying it is. Instead of dreaming up a simple character to talk so there is actual dialogue, and afraid of introspection, this guy’s character talks to himself incessently. Ugh! I think it’s lazy writing. Thanks for allowing me a venue where I can vent, Janet