Using Talents and Skills to Reveal Hidden Layers

When you’re creating a well-rounded and realistic character, there are many factors to consider: their backstory, personality traits, fears, desires…the list goes on. Each is important because it plays a part in defining and fleshing out the character for readers. But there’s another aspect of characterization that authors overlook—one single element that can reveal multiple hidden layers about who your character really is: a talent or skill.

At first blush, this may not make sense. Why does it matter that my character can bake or read people or throw their voice? These are things they do. What does a talent or skill tell people about who they are?

I’m so glad you asked ☺.

Personality Traits

Let’s say your character has been dancing since they could walk and their star is on the rise. They’re an accomplished dancer, sure, but as such, there are certain things you can also infer about their personality:

• They’re likely to be disciplined—not only in the hours spent practicing, but in their diet and the things they give up to devote so much time to the art. 
• To achieve this level of skill, the character is going to be incredibly driven.
• Their work ethic is no joke.
• They may be a bit of a perfectionist.

Many talents and skills can give readers an overview of who the character is personality-wise. Revealing a talent in the story’s opening is a great way of showing this information to the reader instead of telling them. Then it’s just a matter of reinforcing the associated traits as the story goes on.

Other Strengths and Abilities

Not only can a talent reveal personality, it can also hint at other aptitudes that are common or even required for that activity. If your character is skilled at hot-wiring cars, for instance, they’re also going to be good with their hands, have knowledge of wiring and how electronics work, and be adept at blending in and avoiding notice. They might be mechanically minded overall, and this specific talent is just one piece of their skillset. 

Knowing how other abilities coincide with a talent or skill can give you realistic ideas of what else the character might be able to do and how those aptitudes could play into your story.

Values and Morals

How the character uses their talent can tell you something about their moral code and belief system. White hat hackers, humane hunters, and serial killers who only prey on people who have caused great harm—these are examples of characters using their skills in ways that hint at deeper values. When it comes to using skills to characterize, the how and why can matter even more than the what.

Motivation and Backstory

Speaking of why…the reason your character chooses to pursue an activity can provide valuable insight into what’s driving them. Sometimes it’s as simple as them enjoying that hobby or reveling in something they’re good at. But the reasons often go deeper.

Let’s say your character is a gifted boxer. A passion or aptitude for the sport is only one of many reasons she may have taken it up. Consider the following possibilities:

• She started taking lessons after a physical assault as a means of self-defense.
• The character has difficulty expressing her emotions in a healthy manner, and boxing allows her to do so without hurting herself or others.
• Her dead father, who she idolized, was an amateur boxer, and this is her way of honoring him.
• She’s sticking it to her mother, who despises the sport.
• The instructor is hot.

The reasons behind your character’s pursuit of a talent or skill can reveal a lot about their fears, wounding events, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and motivations. But those connections only work if you’ve taken the time to understand who your character is, why they are that way, and how a skill ties into their history. 

People Skills

Talents can also give you an indication of your character’s people skills. Someone with a knack for manipulation, mentalism, or making friends is going to be good with people. They’re able to read others and know what to say or do to gain their trust. On the other hand, a character who spends the majority of their time alone and has turned fishing or gaming into an art form, may be more comfortable on their own than with others. This information can give readers a hint about whether your character is an introvert or extrovert, as well as their level of social aptitude.

Readers won’t be able to figure this out for sure from just a talent or skill. But combine it with personality traits, how they choose to spend their time, and a glimpse into their interactions with others, and the audience will be able to put the pieces together.

A Little Extra Help

A talent or skill can provide a window into who the character is. It’s also a natural vehicle for showing, which allows you to reveal important information with an economy of words. Now it’s just a matter of figuring out which abilities make the most sense for your character.

Get Help from One Stop for Writers

The Talent and Skill Thesaurus at One Stop for Writers is a great resource for brainstorming possible areas of giftedness and exploring how each might contribute to your story.

The Character Builder enables you to organize all of a character’s details—talents, traits, wounds, motivations, physical appearance, and more—to create a complete picture of who they are so you can bring them to life for readers.

What other hidden elements of characterization can a talent or skill reveal?