Introspection is one of the most important, yet most often neglected, parts of writing a story.
Let’s take a look at some great examples of introspection from books, discuss, then practice writing our own together
During the last stream, the subscribers voted that we go over how to write introspection.
Watch a shortened version of the stream here or scroll down for what we did.
How to Write Introspection
- Introspection is when you write the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that the main character in your story has
- It’s a SUPER important part of writing a story, not only to give emotional context to things that are happening, but also to show your character’s personality/voice as well.
- It’s also one of the things that separates books from movies in the first place, since in a book lets us get right inside the head of a character, whereas in a movie we can only watch and observe
- And yet, despite that, introspection is often ignored by many writers, and their stories suffer because of it
- So let’s take a look at some examples of great introspection from stories, talk about why it’s so good, then practice writing some together!
#1. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Context: The main character, a reporter from Chicago, is assigned to research a murder of a little girl, Ann, back in her country hometown. The introspection is the whole 2nd paragraph,
– This introspection shows the character’s THOUGHTS.
– It gives the reader their PERSONALITY.
- For the main character here, the introspection about the family’s children shows off her personality, we get to see that she’s extremely negative, judgmental, as sees herself as superior to these country folk she used to live with
- A different character would have completely different thoughts about the three children, maybe relating the names to people they personally know, or their experience with their own kids
- Don’t be afraid to spend some time in your main character’s head, showing us their unique train of thought… even if it’s horrible, especially if it’s horrible, we want to see it!
– Introspection doesn’t have to be long monologues either!
– Introspection is great for breaking up dialogue, or slowing down the pacing in scenes
Context: The main character goes to interview the mother of another murdered child, Natalie. The introspection is in red, and helps break up the dialogue.
#2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Context: This is the very beginning of the story, page one. The entire thing is introspection.
– This introspection shows the character’s FEELINGS
– It gives the reader emotional CONTEXT
- For the main character here, the introspection about his life/feelings gives us emotional context for what’s about to come, he’s a man who has never cried before, but then after this we get a scene where he does cry, after reading an essay written by an adult student about his father murdering his mother/siblings when he was a kid
- A different character would have a completely different life up to that point, experiences that would shape them in entirely different ways, maybe they cried often and didn’t cry when they read the essay, they were so shocked/horrified by it instead
- Don’t be afraid to spend some time in your main character’s head, showing us their unique life… even if it’s sad, especially if it’s sad, we want to see it!
#3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Context: This is after the main character’s family, a group of singers/performers, was murdered in their caravan, but he escaped and if dealing with the shock. The whole thing is introspection.
– This introspection shows the character’s BELIEFS
– It gives the reader philosophical INSIGHT
- For the main character here, the introspection about his beliefs gives us philosophical insight into how he sees the world, and perhaps something that we too can also believe and apply to our own lives as well
- A different character would have a completely different outlook on things, maybe roaring for revenge over their murdered parents, or actually going into shock/denial
- Don’t be afraid to give some philosophical musings from your main character, showing us their unique beliefs… even if it’s wrong/weird, especially if it’s wrong/weird, we want to see it!
IN SUMMARY!
- You can’t SEE any of this introspection, it all happens in the characters’ heads
- But that doesn’t make it any less important, in fact, it’s what gives the story life and makes it fun to read
- Without introspection, stories would just be lists of actions
After that, chat voted that we practice writing some introspection based on this WikiHow article: https://www.wikihow.com/Practise-Nudism-in-Your-Room-With-No-One-Knowing
We focused on giving the character’s feelings, for emotional context, in the introspection.
Here’s what we wrote (introspection underlined):
Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to be naked. All my clothes changing had to be done with the door to my room open, so Mom could watch and make sure “the final barrier between my body and Satan” never showed up.
Even thinking about looking down there sent me heaving for air. I hated how there was something so evil attached to me. An eternal temptation. A test. One that I would prevail in.
Showering was done with my extra-tighty whities still on, yellowed from years of reuse. The only washing it got was the soap that I rubbed around the edges. Mom always said if I dared try to scrub any further, she’d smell the rotten reptile mushroom blooming between my legs and whip me until my soul was brought back from hell. I didn’t dare go anywhere near the horror.
I never changed before gym class. Mom always had a note, ready to go. I’d spend the period walking laps, trying not to get too sweaty. That was the worst. The only time I was ever tempted. When my undergarments would soak up my salty sweat and itch underneath for days. I didn’t dare scratch. Mom would hear it. She’d see scales that flaked off beneath my fingernails, and she’d know.
That was my first fear when the undergarments finally ripped.
In the shower, before school. All it took was my usual small scrub against the side, then I felt the wet cloth slide down my leg. It piled on the wet ceramic floor, flowing with the water toward the drain.
My eyes followed it, the only part of me moving. Scared stiff from the devil’s pitchfork that was now bathing with me.
I wanted to scream, yell for Mom to save me, but I knew what she’d do. Smack me for messing up. It wasn’t my fault though! I could fix it. A towel. I just needed to get something temporary, until I bought a new pair with my allowance.
Then I looked down.
There was no rotten reptile mushroom. No portal to hell. It was just me. A part of me that had itched and pained but who I’d never met before. The warm water and cool air flowing around that area of me, cleansing it, felt… nice.
Mom was wrong. But that idea was so alien, I didn’t even have words to express it. I just pulled back the shower curtain, and walked, dripping wet, into the kitchen with Mom sitting at the table.
Her seeing me, and me seeing her, fully, for the first time.
You can see that the vast majority of the story is introspection. It wouldn’t exist without it!
If you want to join us and help write a story by trolling in chat, or share your own writing for feedback, then we’d love to have you join us on Twitch.
And you missed the stream, you can still watch them on the YouTube channel or watch the full stream reruns.
Hope to see you next time, friend!
Top images: Pakutasohttps://www.pakutaso.com/20190852233post-22770.html