{"id":10778,"date":"2026-04-05T19:58:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/?p=10778"},"modified":"2026-04-05T19:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:58:21","slug":"how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you get into a character&#8217;s head when writing fanfiction?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2952129a9f6264d7a0a5ff0450fb51ee\" style=\"color:#212638;background-color:#dbeeff\"><blockquote><p><em><em>&#8220;I&#8217;m struggling to get into characters&#8217; heads. The fandom I write for has many different characters and I&#8217;m trying to keep them as canonical as possible. Are there any tips or techniques which can help?&#8221;<\/em><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in the sandbox of someone else\u2019s world is one of the real joys of fanfiction, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. Your readers already know the characters you\u2019re writing about and will have their own ideas about who they are, so unless being openly intentional about straying from the source material, it\u2019s important to get their representation right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When working with an existing IP, your readers will have watched the characters, read them, played them, and fallen in love with them. When you write these beloved characters, you&#8217;re not just telling your own story in that world; you\u2019re honouring those existing voices and personalities, while also trying to make them your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting into an existing character\u2019s head is part observation, part empathy, and part study, and of course, a good smattering of imagination. So, let&#8217;s break down some techniques to help you capture a character\u2019s voice to use in your fanfiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Study the source material with intent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you passively consume media, you might get a vibe of the characters, but it takes a bit more intentional study to really understand them. There\u2019s nothing wrong with writing on vibes, but if you really want to get into the character\u2019s head, then it might be worth looking at the source material with a bit more of an analytical eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do they speak?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every character has a distinct way of speaking. Some things to pay attention to might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do they use contractions, or do they speak formally?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What&#8217;s their vocabulary level? Do they use slang, technical jargon, or simple language?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long are their sentences? Are they verbose or terse?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do they have catchphrases or verbal tics?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do they express emotions? Are they direct, or do they use subtext?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do they react?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Characters often reveal themselves through how they respond to situations. Pay attention and look for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How do they behave under stress or when relaxed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What makes them angry, sad, or joyful?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do they act first and think later, or vice versa?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do they treat different people (friends, enemies, strangers)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are their physical habits when experiencing powerful emotions?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are their core values?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every character is the hero of their own story. That means they have an internal compass that guides their actions, even if it takes them in unconventional (maybe even villainous) directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What would they never do, no matter the circumstances? (Not even for love).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What would they sacrifice everything for?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are their blind spots or hypocrisies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do they believe about the world and their place in it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a character cheat sheet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use a character template or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/a-foolproof-character-cheat-sheet-with-downloadable-template\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4070\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheat sheet<\/a> to make notes about characters in existing IPs, just as you would if you were creating original characters. You can use an existing one, or just stick with the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What do they look like (be specific)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are their core personality traits?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is their greatest fear and their greatest desire?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do they speak (with example quotes from canon)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are their physical mannerisms and habits?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is their relationship with (and to) other characters?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What goal do they want to achieve?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What motivates them?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is their inner conflict?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distinguish between characters through contrast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you&#8217;re writing multiple characters in the same scene, their differences should be noticeable. If you covered up the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/a-beginners-guide-to-dialogue-tags\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4099\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dialogue tags<\/a>, readers should still be able to tell who&#8217;s speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about how each character would approach the same situation differently. If three characters walk into an unfamiliar place, one might immediately assess threats, another might notice the d\u00e9cor, and a third might focus on the people present. These differences in attention and priority reveal who they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about what each character notices in the space where they are. What are they worried about in the moment? What do they want to get out of the conversation they\u2019re having?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how each character fits into the scene as an individual can help you get into their headspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balance canon with interpretation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even canon characterisation leaves room for interpretation, so don\u2019t be afraid to let your own voice shine through as well. Different fans read the same scenes differently, and the way different readers interpret a character might even be different from how the author sees their own creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your job as a fanfiction writer isn&#8217;t to perfectly replicate the source material. Your job is to write a version of the character that feels true to their essence while serving the story you want to tell. The best fanfiction often explores aspects of characters that canon only hinted at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Five writing exercises to help you get into a character\u2019s head<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise 1: The interview<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose a character and write a short interview with them. Ask them questions about their childhood, their fears, their happiest memory, and their opinion on another character. Write their answers in first person, focusing on capturing their voice, almost as if you\u2019re transcribing audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise 2: Same scene, different eyes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a scene from the world in which you are writing that two characters appear in. Whoever the perspective character is, rewrite it from the perspective of the other. If it\u2019s from a visual medium like film, games, or TV, choose a character and write the scene out as if it was from their perspective. Notice how the details they observe, their internal reactions, and their interpretations might differ from the original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise 3: Dialogue-only scene<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Write a conversation between two or three characters from canon using only dialogue. Don\u2019t use dialogue tags or action beats. Challenge yourself to capture each character&#8217;s voice so distinctly that fans can follow who&#8217;s speaking without being told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise 4: The canon deep-dive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose one character and rewatch or reread three scenes featuring them. Take notes on specific word choices, physical habits, and emotional reactions. Then write a new scene featuring that character, consciously incorporating at least five details from your notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise 5: The unexpected situation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Place a character in a situation canon never explored. It could be a mundane scenario, like grocery shopping, or an unusual one, like being stuck in a lift. Write a quick scene exploring how they&#8217;d behave, based on everything you know about them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m struggling to get into characters&#8217; heads. The fandom I write for has many different characters and I&#8217;m trying to keep them as canonical as possible. Are there any tips or techniques which can help?&#8221; Working in the sandbox of someone else\u2019s world is one of the real joys of fanfiction, but it definitely comes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":10779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[108,24],"tags":[67,28],"class_list":["post-10778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-novlr","category-writing-tips","tag-character-development","tag-writing-tips","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How do you get into a character&#039;s head when writing fanfiction? | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn techniques for capturing a recognisable character voices when writing fanfiction, and really dive into their headspace.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How do you get into a character&#039;s head when writing fanfiction? | The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn techniques for capturing a recognisable character voices when writing fanfiction, and really dive into their headspace.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novlr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-05T18:58:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-05T18:58:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Frame-180.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1260\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/726ed0ac79316fa69373ac67027dd121\"},\"headline\":\"How do you get into a character&#8217;s head when writing fanfiction?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-05T18:58:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-05T18:58:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1114,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/Frame-180.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"character development\",\"writing tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Ask Novlr\",\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-do-you-get-into-a-characters-head-when-writing-fanfiction\\\/\",\"name\":\"How do you get into a character's head when writing fanfiction? 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