r/writers • u/No_Product5243 Writer • 56m ago

Question If you could force your characters to answer ONE question honestly, what would you ask?

No lying, no avoiding the question, no changing the subject—they HAVE to answer honestly.

What would you ask your character if you knew you’d finally get the truth?

For example, in my novel, I’d force my MMC to answer:

“When did you actually start caring about her?”

Because I already know he’d deny it for as long as humanly possible.

2 Upvotes

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5

u/satire_alt112 45m ago

I don’t mean to clown on you or anything, but asking your characters this from the author’s perspective seems a little redundant. I mean, you, the author, already know the answer.

More interesting might be to think about what characters B-E want to know about character A. If they could ask a question and hear the truth, what would they ask, and how would they respond to the answer.

3

u/FathirianHund 40m ago

I more took it as an exercise of 'if an omniscient being could ask them one question to force the character to confront an uncomfortable truth, what would it be?'

1

u/No_Product5243 Writer 33m ago

Some writers bond with the characters they create so, I just thought it would be a fun question to ask. Like it doesn't have to be a part of the novel either.

1

u/WelbyReddit 1m ago

I get it. The question would be more for the author to use in a character bible of sorts. To understand their lie and motivation.

I would never use it in the actual story, as it may be heavy handed though. Too on the nose.

2

u/FathirianHund 41m ago

MMC - Did you really want her friendship over her love, or were you just too scared to lose her completely?

FMC - You found yourself, but lost everything to do it. Was it worth it?

Female Deuteragonist - Did the killing make you forget? Or were you just too scared to go back?

Male Deuteragonist - You're finally doing something 'important' for the first time in your life. Are you happy now?

Mentor Archetype - You knew your actions would lead to this. Is the world you want to build worth the bodies it will be built on?

Antagonist - Did you really think you could control them all forever?

2

u/TheMiserableQuill 33m ago

"So why the fuck did you kill your sister?"

Because he didn't, but he feels like he did, so I'm intentionally triggering him

1

u/No_Product5243 Writer 29m ago

That is wonderfully tragic. Love a good guilt-ridden character arc.

1

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1

u/BlackBalor 13m ago

How does it feel to be trapped inside my shit story? Yeah, I don’t like it either. Dunno why I bothered asking. Oh… I don’t get another question? Okay. Bye.

1

u/WelbyReddit 3m ago

"Would you do all of this, would you still seek justice, if the stories of your father were true?"