𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖳𝗂𝗉𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖫𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗌

𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖶𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖲𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖮𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌

We've all heard the usual writing tip everybody seems to be advising: write strong characters, but what about writing characters who have strong opinions? Developing personas who are opinionated without appearing arrogant can be a difficult task. Your female protagonist is assertive and replies on whim when her tweet is mansplained but is she telling them to 'fuck off'? Isn't that supposed to be rude for this tad bit stronger Jane Doe? But she should be doing exactly that, right? Well, to each his own. 
Opinions are often judgments that are not backed up by facts, which basically means no opinion can be either wrong or right. Some love Trump, others don't. But no one's right here because there aren't any substantiated facts to support either side. If facts were used, we all know which side would win. Anyway, that's a topic for another day. Today, I'll be suggesting four ways to write characters with strong opinions.

✎ 𝖫𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖠𝖼𝗍 𝖮𝗇 𝖨𝗆𝗉𝗎𝗅𝗌𝖾
More often than not, when one has a strong opinion, they can become so attached to that particular idea that everything else seems either absurd or offending. In order to keep supporting their part of argument, they make decisions on impulse and lead to actions that might affect both their opinions and themselves.
Plus, the more difficult a journey would be for your character, the more they grow up to the readers so why not let your babies create obstacles for themselves? Impulsive decisions will surely lead to unexpected outcomes and usually unwanted ones. So now onward, let your female protagonist slap a male character for opening a door for her...and then bawl for her hastiness because the guy was cute.

✎ 𝖫𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗒'𝗋𝖾 𝖱𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍
But here's the catch: they aren't. Strong opinions don't necessarily mean they're right. A person might be a Nazi and have a solid view regarding others but those views aren't something they should be proud of. But have you come across a Nazi who knows they're wrong?
Make your character more believable by letting them live in a bubble of their own. Make them feel they're the epitome of righteousness and let someone slap the shit out of them to show how wrong they can be.

✎ 𝖫𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖡𝖾 𝖠𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖾
In reality, nobody stands with you if they don't agree with you. It's as simple as that. No matter how right your character is at some point and how clearly they're voicing out an opinion, it isn't realistic if each and every secondary character agrees with them just because they're the MCs. I love ice cream but I wouldn't want a lactose intolerant friend of mine to eat along with me just because I've a strong opinion regarding a sweet creamy thing.
Your main character might be signing up for a candle march to show their anger against a latest issue but it isn't necessary for their best friend to accompany them. Maybe the best friend wants to stay at home and try raising the issue via social media. Like I already mentioned before, to each his own.

✎ 𝖫𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖫𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗇 𝖥𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖮𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌 
For me, a good character learns over the story and develops into a better person. Having a strong opinion don't always resonate with being a good human. Strong opinions can often be associated with an adamant person thereby reflecting negativity. Don't make your character go overboard and be blinded; don't let them constrict their minds to an extent where they aren't willing to change their opinions about anything.
Make your characters flexible enough to respect other's opinions because that's what majority people should be and what better place to bring about a change than a fictional world?

𝖼𝗋: fannawrites