Creating street smart characters can add depth and excitement to your story. These characters are sharp, intuitive, and capable of navigating tough situations with ease. They may not always follow the rules, but they know how to survive and thrive in environments where others might falter. If you're looking to craft a street-smart character, here are seven tips to help bring them to life.
The street smart character
A street smart character is someone who’s learned how to navigate the challenges of life through experience rather than formal education. They can be very useful to advance a plot or to get the reader’s attention.
They’re quick thinkers, resourceful, and often able to make the most of difficult situations. What sets them apart is their ability to read people, environments, and situations with an almost instinctive clarity. These characters typically possess a blend of practicality, confidence, and a bit of a rebellious streak.
Examples of street smart characters :
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Artful Dodger, from Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
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Han Solo, from Star Wars (George Lucas)
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Lisbeth Salander, from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson)
But how do you write them when you’re not really street smart yourself ? Make sure to incorporate the next details to your story to make your character relatable.
The street smart character can notice a pattern
One of the hallmarks of a street smart character is their ability to spot patterns that others might miss.
They can read a room and figure out how people are behaving, what’s likely to happen next, and even predict the moves of their opponents or allies. They observe, notice the patterns and turn them to their advantage.
Whether it’s understanding the rhythms of street traffic or catching subtle social cues, they can put the pieces together quickly. This skill helps them stay one step ahead in many situations, whether they’re avoiding trouble or seeking an opportunity.
If you want your character to appear street smart, make them see things no one else does !
They have experience
To be able to notice patterns, they have to spend some time observing and analyzing their environment, which gives them some impressive experience.
Street-smart characters don't rely solely on instinct, they have a wealth of real-life experience. They’ve been through tough situations and have learned from their mistakes and successes.
This experience might come from growing up in a rough neighborhood, working in high-risk environments, or having lived through situations that forced them to think on their feet. Their past has shaped them, and they’re always using the lessons they’ve learned to guide their actions and decisions.
To emphasize that aspect, you can (again) make them talk about something (a place, or a person for example) people have not noticed. It makes them stand out.
They know how to stay hidden
A truly street-smart character knows how to keep a low profile when necessary. They are observant, sure, but they are able to do so because they know how to stay hidden if they really want to. They understand when it’s time to blend in, avoid drawing attention, or even disappear for a while.
They know the streets, the little secret passages, they know how to disguise themselves. They are great assets for a mystery novel. Think Sherlock Holmes here !
Whether it's hiding in plain sight or using shadows to their advantage, staying under the radar is a crucial skill. This ability can come in handy when they’re avoiding a dangerous situation or working undercover to gather information.
They can follow someone (and avoid being followed)
Because they know how to stay hidden, they are also great at following people if they really need to. Street-smart characters know the importance of tracking people without being noticed. They can tail someone through a crowd, keeping a safe distance and making sure they aren’t spotted.
At the same time, they know how to shake off anyone who might be tailing them. They’re experts at using the environment to their advantage, whether it’s losing someone in a maze of alleyways or making use of distractions to slip away unnoticed.
Their awareness of both sides of the coin—tracking and evading—is what sets them apart. Remember, they are really observant, they check their surroundings at all times !
They adapt quickly
Life on the streets isn’t predictable, and neither are street-smart characters. These individuals are highly adaptable, able to change course quickly when things don’t go as planned.
They’re not rigid in their thinking; if the situation demands it, they’ll come up with a new approach on the fly. Whether they need to escape a sticky situation or talk their way out of trouble, their ability to pivot and adjust ensures they don’t get caught off guard.
If you’re writing a street smart character, they should be comfortable navigating different environments, whether it’s a social gathering or a dangerous situation. They usually respond positively to change. Instead of resisting or being overwhelmed, they adapt their plans.
They can find shelter
A street-smart character always knows where to go when they need a safe space. They understand how to find shelter in urban environments, whether it’s an abandoned building, a friendly acquaintance’s house, or an underground network of places known only to those in the know.
They can even make use of hidden or unconventional spaces when they need protection. This skill speaks to their resourcefulness and their ability to always have a plan for when things go wrong.
If your other characters need to find shelter, the street smart knows just the right place ! If not, they can recognize one in just a few seconds.
They know (a lot of) people
A key trait of any street-smart character is their extensive network of contacts. Whether it’s acquaintances from their neighborhood, old friends from the streets, or people who owe them favors, street-smart characters often have a vast web of connections.
They know the right person to talk to for information, help, or even protection. This network is a crucial asset, and their ability to navigate these relationships can often be the difference between success and failure.
Also, their big network is usually made of very unconventional people. This is really helpful if you want to introduce a strange character in your story.
Building a street-smart character involves making them aware, adaptable, and always ready for whatever comes their way. By incorporating these traits into your character, you’ll create someone who feels authentic, capable, and intriguing—someone your readers will love to follow through the twists and turns of your story.
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