Why I let my character take control (and how it will appeal to your readers)
- Johanna Zaïre
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
The in-between: that uncomfortable zone that hides a real narrative treasure.
Hi! How are you?
As for me, I'm slowly coming down from cloud nine after the Festival de la Sensibilité and already packing my bags for Angoulême this weekend. I'm currently in a rather pleasant “in-between” phase.
It's the perfect time to tell you about Theo. He's also in a limbo, but I can tell you that it's much less comfortable than mine...
🧠 When the mind loses the battle (for the best)
When I started writing my new novel, Dreamers, I was in the midst of an internal conflict. My author's mind wanted to write in the past tense and third person (my usual comfort zone).
But Theo, my protagonist, wouldn't hear of it. He insisted that I give him the microphone: he wanted me to tell his story in the present tense and first person.
I finally gave in. Why? Because intuitive writing means silencing your mind and trusting the voice of your characters. Theo had urgent things to say, and he needed his own voice to do so.
🌃 Theo: a hypersensitive boy in the land of gangsters
Even if labels aren't really his thing, here's a bit about Theo so you can get a feel for how intense his story is:
Theo is 18, an orphan, and he's just trying to get by in a cyberpunk megacity where everything is connected except people. He's hypersensitive and stuck in a world of neon lights, giant screens, and brutal violence.
His survival: He steals to support himself and other orphans.
His escape: He takes refuge in lucid dreams to keep from sinking. Does this need to isolate yourself to protect yourself resonate with you?
His rebellion: He refuses to adapt to a society that wants to pigeonhole him.
One day, he robs the “wrong” store: that of a powerful mobster. His “in-between” then becomes explosive. How can we stay true to our values when the world pushes us to do the opposite?
🎙️ The secret to getting your readers hooked: the VIP spot
What I discovered when I let Theo take the reins was his generosity. He doesn't just tell the story, he makes you live his adventure.
By writing in the first person, you offer your readers a VIP seat. They are no longer mere spectators: they are right inside the protagonist's head, feeling every vibration, every fear, and every hope.
📖 Excerpt from Dreamers (Season 1 – Chapter 4) (not final, translation in progress)
I thank him and watch him leave before rushing into the maze of wooden and tin houses in The Dump. Everything is quiet. It feels good. I must admit that I couldn't live near the popular neighbourhood. I like the tranquility of The Dump and...
Oh! Do you see that?
I stop dead in my tracks when I see that my front door is completely smashed in.
And I hear Cat screaming, yowling like a rabid cat.
Without waiting, I rush inside. I enter a kitchen in disarray. Everything is upside down. What the hell happened here? Catie is crying, Loot comes out from the bathroom in a panic, blood on his clothes.
“What the hell happened here?” I cry out. “Loot, are you hurt?”
🔑 My 3 tips for captivating your readers
If you want your readers to be hooked on your book, try applying these principles of intuitive writing:
Let your characters be whole: don't hide their doubts or dilemmas. It's their vulnerability that makes them human and endearing.
Create an intimate relationship: use the character's thoughts (in italics) to invite the reader into their secret garden.
Dare to use “I”: don't be afraid to give up your place as narrator. The character's voice is often much more powerful than that of the author.
Want to meet Theo and experience this adventure in total immersion?
Join the Dreamers community and immerse yourself in this unique cyberpunk universe!
I look forward to reading your feedback or discovering your own writing challenges.
Johanna
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