Emotion Trumps Logic
Scribblers often face the question, “Does this character’s behavior make sense?” Usually, this feedback comes from non-writing producers or network executives who, while trying to ensure everything lines up, might overlook one of the most fundamental truths about characters: Emotion trumps logic.
In Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature, he points out, “The first step toward becoming rational is to understand our fundamental irrationality. [...] Nobody is exempt from the irresistible effect of emotions on the mind, not even the wisest among us.”
Greene identifies a core truth about human nature: our decisions often follow the pull of emotion rather than the straight line of reason. Scribblers can lean into this when crafting believable characters.
Characters who consistently act rationally aren’t just rare. They’re hard to believe. They don’t resonate because, in real life, decisions are influenced by emotions, past experiences, and instinct. We can’t shy away from characters who behave in ways that might seem irrational as long as those behaviors come from an emotional place that makes sense for them.
Consider character motivation. It may seem more logical for a character to choose the simple, rational path. But that’s not what we do. Not me, anyway. We often hold grudges, let fear or love guide our decisions, or get caught in patterns that work against our best interests.
It’s in these choices, based on our emotional needs, that characters come to life. These subjective decisions make our characters relatable and help the audience connect and hop aboard the narrative journey.
When designing a character, consider how they see the world.
-- Is their outlook shaped by old wounds?
-- A need for validation?
-- Fear of being abandoned?
A character’s past sets the stage for their choices in the present, and while it may seem irrational for them to repeat mistakes or act emotionally, this kind of behavior makes them feel like us. Me. Not you. You're way more evolved. Layers of experience and emotion make characters intriguing, relatable, and honest.
Like when a character picks the wrong person to trust, ignores the obvious solution, or lashes out. It might not make sense on the surface, but reveals what’s simmering inside. The struggle between who they want to be and who they really are. This tension between rational thinking and emotional response makes our characters unforgettable and human.
It’s vital scribblers get the leeway to explore the gap between logic and emotion. To allow our characters to make irrational choices grounded in emotional truth. The power of adding relatable emotional truth to character development might be one of the most important tools a scribbler can deploy.
If someone questions whether the actions of your characters make any logical sense, ask yourself if they make emotional sense. If they do, you’re probably onto something.
