Quirks of highly intelligent people - First Person POV

[Valiant]

I am writing a story which includes the point of view of a man who is supposed to come off as highly intelligent. What are some personal quirks in the thought process that I can convey through his thoughts/emotions that would make him seem of higher intellect, while still being considered believable?

[Ralph Fg]

It kind of depends on his personality.

If he is the more stereotypical nerdy type of genius, then show the readers that he knows many things that others don't, and are in general uninterested in others because of the fact that he finds others stupid, and don't forget to show that he is very mature and has complicated thought processes (say, a whole paragraph dedicated to how he deduce certain things with complicated logics).

[Saigonnus]

Perhaps a perpensity for giving a long description for something that could be described in a shorter manner. For example: John asks Bob (our smart guy) during a movie what he thinks about the main plot for the movie. Instead of a short answer like "It could use a little work." Bob proceeds to go into detail about every single flaw he noticed in the plotline movie, the real history behind said flaws and how he'd have changed things if he was producing the movie.

I don't pretend to be super intelligent, but I have that quirk and the wifey gets annoyed to no end sometimes; even calling me Mr. History Channel.

[ascanius]

I do that too, give really complicated long answers for a simple question. But I really don't see why people complain about it, it's what I think, and the reasons why. I always felt those things were needed for me to answer the question. Though I will say it makes it really hard to keep peoples attention.

I would say that said character would have problems with simple things that everyone else understands naturally, like socially inept. I have met a few people who were very intelligent and they, were, well stumbling over their feet when it came to people.

[Queshire]

mrrr... careful there bucko. Smart people are people too and we don't like to be stereotyped. That said, can't go wrong with random facts and trivia!

EDIT: Also, social ineptitude isn't neccesarily linked to intelligence. I consider myself relatively bright, and I will be the first to admit that I am socially inept, however that's because I have Aspergers, and not because of my intelligence. That said, I do suggest looking at Aspergers, I like to think of it as the Mad Scientist type condition. Admittedly, that's just because I have it and I think Mad Scientists rock, but to a point it's accurate. Also, it is NEVER portrayed correctly in literature, I'd very much like it if it was.

[Penpilot]

I would say people are people whether they're intelligent or stupid. There are socially inept intelligent guys and outgoing studly intelligent guys too. They can be snooty or humble. The thought processes of an intelligent person depends on their personality. Just because a person is intelligent, doesn't mean they think everyone else is stupid or inferior. Intelligent people, really intelligent people, in my experience know they don't know everything. I find that it's the stupid people who think they know it all. Treat your character as a person who just happens to be intelligent, not just an intelligent character and I think you'll be fine. Maybe check out the TV series Eureka. It a show filled with geniuses portrayed in all different shades.

[The Dark One]

Onya Valiant...this is a great thread topic.

At the risk of sounding a tad pretentious...there is one important precondition for writing from the POV of a highly intelligent person. You MUST be highly intelligent yourself. Let's assume that you meet the precondition (and I expect that most members of this forum would), you must then avoid at all costs trying dumb the narrator down - a highly intelligent person should by definition be a bit of a challenge for normal readers. Having said that, if you can manage to carry your readers along with you (and thereby make them feel highly intelligent themselves) you've probably got a best seller on your hands.

The thing I hated most about the Da Vinci Code was: it's supposed to be told from the perspective of a world expert in religious iconography. We're constantly privy to Prof Langdon's (or whatever his name is) thoughts, and to me his thoughts seem less like a middle aged professor and more like a sassy teenager with attitude! How often does he say: Whatever! For god's sake! Even worse, with little more than the average person's knowledge of religious iconography, I guessed everything that happened about five pages earlier than Professor Langdon! That does not make me feel like I'm in the presence of genius. If you can't stay ahead of your readers in your own story, don't insult their intelligence. Stick to third person or settle for a POV of less exalted intellect.

Having said all that, I have presumed to write four novels from the POV of a highly intelligent narrator...two of them published, one just sent to my agent (which I'm hoping will be the one that takes me to the next level). My approach to writing these characters is to establish a strong narrative voice and to be utterly uncompromising in telling the story on the narrator's terms. Do not stick rigidly to literal descriptions or linear unfoldings of plot. Complex characters must have complicated means of expressing themselves, but at the same time maintain a sound momentum of story which is easy to follow.

It's taken me 20 years to get that blend right. Really interested to see what others have to say about this deeply fascinating subject.

[Cloud]

Three easy, important, traits for an 'intelligent' P.O.V.

Speed of thought
If someone can think an essay in the time it takes for a dropped cup to hit the floor, readers consider them smart.

Accuracy of thought
Seeing the correct solution where others cannot is a simple benchmark of intelligence. Put your character in situations which baffle others, and let him provide that eureka moment and make it look easy.

Range of knowledge
It's not enough to think quick, or well, they must also have a history of thought - a deep and fascinating well of knowledge to dip into a draw comparisons to their current situation.

[Valiant]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I especially appreciate your response Dark One. If the pages in your book are anything like the paragraphs in your response I am sure you will find success with your publications.

[The Dark One]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I especially appreciate your response Dark One. If the pages in your book are anything like the paragraphs in your response I am sure you will find success with your publications.

Wow! Thanks Valiant, that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me on a forum.

I must say, I thought Cloud's contribution was quite pithy also - good simple advice, easy to follow.

In the first novel I ever finished (which I thought was a work of deeply profound genius at the time), the main character was the head actuary in the biggest corporation in the world. In fact, it was written in 3rd person but the MC's mind was incredibly powerful and esoteric and seemed to flow into everything...even the 3P description!

I think that part of the story I definitely got right, but to be honest, on the rare occasion I open that book these days (which sold 124 copies in 2001) I can't read three sentences without vomiting blood.