Feedback Wanted
Competence is one of those things that can look very different depending on the angle.
A character can be careful, organised, precise, and read as impressive. Or controlling. Or one small setback away from quietly falling apart in a badly ironed shirt.
I’m interested in how quickly readers decide which version they’re seeing. Sometimes the same habit is attraction, sometimes it’s armour, sometimes it’s just a person trying not to panic in public. Useful distinction, that.
Hard to write convincingly, though, because the line between “good at their job” and “holding themselves together with stationery” is thinner than people pretend.
A character can be careful, organised, precise, and read as impressive. Or controlling. Or one small setback away from quietly falling apart in a badly ironed shirt.
I’m interested in how quickly readers decide which version they’re seeing. Sometimes the same habit is attraction, sometimes it’s armour, sometimes it’s just a person trying not to panic in public. Useful distinction, that.
Hard to write convincingly, though, because the line between “good at their job” and “holding themselves together with stationery” is thinner than people pretend.
Competence gets over-read all the time. A tidy person in a crisis can look either reassuring or suspicious, depending on whether the reader trusts tidiness. In fiction I’d rather see one small practical detail do the work. The way they fold a map, check a buckle, count supplies. That tells you more than a speech about being capable.
Competence often reads as confidence until the first bit of weather turns ugly. Then you find out whether the character is actually good at the job, or just very tidy about their fear.
I’m more interested in the gap between public competence and private improvisation. Most capable people are making it up as they go a little. The interesting bit is whether the panic leaks through the seams, and who notices.
I’m more interested in the gap between public competence and private improvisation. Most capable people are making it up as they go a little. The interesting bit is whether the panic leaks through the seams, and who notices.