Power From Within

Now let’s discuss INTERNAL STATUS.

This is how a character perceives themselves in comparison toothers in society. While other people may consider us from one perspective, we see ourselves from another.

For instance, in the case of a movie star, others may consider them to be successful, capable, beautiful and smart. However, within their own skin, they may feel weird, stupid and ugly. Or, that same star might consider themselves to be better than everyone else and hence behave like a real Diva. Or, inside they may feel very blessed and conduct themselves with great modesty and kindness in spite of their vast notoriety.

The point is, EXTERNAL and INTERNAL STATUS can vary, and this can be an interesting aspect of your character to explore. If you have a character who is, say, a successful business mogul, who behaves like a real swell guy in person, giving away money to charity and charming the public, it can be a very interesting choice to make that person a very big bastard in his private life.

The old fogeys from the retirement home he contributed to will see him one way, but his much abused personal assistant may see him another. He, of course, may see himself as the center of the universe.

These differences can lend dynamic contrast and texture to your story. Obviously there are many possible permutations to this idea. A guy who seems like a real shmendrick to others may feel very content within himself. A man who always makes the tough, morally sound choices in his dealings with others, may abuse himself with alcohol or drugs in private. The perfect hostess may harbour deep feelings of inadequacy in her heart, etc.

You get the idea. In a way, almost all people feel differentinside than what they may present to the world. All this helps make for very interesting characters.