Some of the most important and distinguished figures in history have created alter egos for many different purposes. A good alter ego can hide your true identity or help you mentally compartmentalize particularly difficult opinions or actions. Whether you're an amateur superhero looking to hide your true identity or a subversive writer hoping to protect your reputation from the backlash of society that isn't ready to accept your vision, a good alter ego can be vital in helping you to Achieve your goals. This guide will help you create an alter ego suited to the situation.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Projecting Your New Personality
Step 1. Set a goal for your alter ego
Why are you creating an alter ego? What goal do you want to achieve? Are you doing this for fun or for a serious purpose? The answers to these questions will affect your decision making when creating an alter ego. For example, if you're creating a pseudonym so that your name doesn't appear in an artwork that's considered controversial, you might not need anything more than a fake name. However, if you are a musician and want to expand your creativity by adopting a more shocking persona, then a good option would be to create a detailed story and personality for your character. Scale your ambitions for your purpose by creating an alter ego.
In general, there is no such idea of an alter ego being much thought out. As long as you don't start to blur the mental boundary between alter ego and your true self, feel free to create as much detailed character as you can
Step 2. Give your alter ego a personality and a voice
The most important characteristic of your alter ego is personality. How does he speak and act? Will he just be a replacement for you - in other words, will he be like you, except for the name? Or will it be a unique character, with a personality different from yours? Make your choice based on your ultimate goal. If you're writing a semi-autobiographical work, the character inserted to represent you should probably speak and act like you. However, if you are creating a superhero alter ego for yourself, it is advisable to add exaggerated features.
Generally, alter egos are endowed with characteristics that their creators lack. By taking on this alter ego, the creator can try to overcome the difficulties caused by his personality defects. For example, if you're normally shy and embarrassed, you can assume an arrogant and confident alter ego when you're at a party full of people you don't know
Step 3. Give your alter ego a distinct look
How is your alter ego physically? Does it look unpretentious and memorable or does it stand out in a crowd? Your character's appearance should match or complement your personality - if you've designed a character who is a slimy used car salesman, you can choose to make him wear garish suits, keep his hair slicked back and sport a big fake smile, for example. If he's a figure beyond reality such as an alien or a superhero, you may even need to design an extravagant costume to reflect his superhuman status.
If you're planning to dress up as your alter ego in real life, keep your own appearance in mind when designing your character. You should be able to realistically imitate him when changing clothes, doing makeup, etc. If you're a 200-pound sumo wrestler, your skinny computer hacker alter ego may have to stay in the fiction business
Step 4. Create a suitable past for your alter ego
Characters rarely exist in creative vacuums. Giving your alter ego a compelling (but at the same time appropriate) personal story can add realism to your appearance and personality. It can also help you decide these things if you're having trouble thinking of good ideas. Your character's background can be vague or detailed, common or notable. There are no "right" choices when designing a backstory - just logical choices that reflect the character's personality and appearance. When writing your alter ego story, ask yourself questions like:
- Where did my alter ego come from?
- What kind of life did he have?
- What experiences was it molded by?
- Who did he meet and who had relationships with?
Step 5. Think of proper names
This is the most fun part of the whole process! A good catchy name can take an alter ego from merely interesting to something iconic. Make a list of names, even including ideas that you think are silly or inappropriate – they can make for a really inspiring name. Think of names that fit your alter ego's purpose. If you're a foreign spy embedded in the American Midwest, for example, come up with a boring and unpretentious name like "Chris Stephens." You obviously don't want a hyped-up name like "Xavier Rex Riviera de la Cruz" or a weirdo like "Guy McNormalson."
- Often an alter ego's name will reflect its role or personality. American rapper Nas sometimes refers to himself as "Nas Escobar" - a reference to drug dealer Pablo Escobar and a reflection of his sinister personality.
- Another common tip is to choose a name that somehow references your own name. Your alter ego can be an anagram for your own name or another word or phrase (as in the "Harry Potter" book series, where the main villain uses his real name, Tom Servolo Riddle, to form the anagram "Behold Lord Voldemort"). He may also make an implicit reference to his real name (Jennifer Lopez, for example, is known as J. Lo or Lola).
Step 6. Think about the details about your alter ego
Choose unique and specific characteristics, giving a real intensity to your character. Real people have quirks and quirks, so your character will look more real if he does too. Choose details that match the character's role or personality - a grizzled mercenary alter ego can limp slightly when walking as a result of an old injury. For example, you can give the same mercenary a childlike enthusiasm for playing with marbles. Good alter egos, like real people, are complicated and often contradictory.
Method 2 of 2: Embracing Your New Identity
Step 1. Put your alter ego into action
Now that you've designed a distinct alter ego, it's time to put yourself in his shoes. Practice speaking, acting and/or writing like your character. Examine your actions and your "voice" - for example, think about whether your character would walk or speak a certain way based on your background and personality. Gather materials or clothing items and make a costume for your alter ego (thrift stores can be a good choice for finding low-priced and unfashionable clothes). Only you can decide where to take your alter ego - hopefully, he might even be better known than you!
Consider showing off your character at the next costume party or fan convention you attend
Step 2. Stay in character
Your alter ego will feel more "real" and authentic if you commit to its performance. If you waver between your new identity and your old one, people will see you as someone in a fantasy, not as a completely new person. Resist any urges to act as you normally would. It's easier to do this if you get into character hours (or days) before you need to - just incorporate the alter ego while you're at home or shopping, for example. You will get into character as you perform simple tasks. More difficult performances, in turn, seem more natural.
Try to change your daily habits and routines to fit your alter ego. If you and your character dress up differently, for example, make these changes in your own life. Renowned actors like Daniel Day-Lewis are famous for adopting their characters' habits. To prepare for his role in "The Age of Innocence", Lewis donned 1870s clothes while taking care of the daily chores
Step 3. Seek inspiration from famous alter egos
Hundreds of figures throughout history have adopted alter egos. If you're a little lacking in inspiration, flip through historical books for several examples of how to immerse yourself in your new identity. Many alter egos, such as famous musician David Bowie's character "Ziggy Stardust", have become cultural references in music, fashion and other art forms. Others, like actor Sacha Baron Cohen's characters (Borat, Bruno, etc.) overshadowed their creator in terms of fame and recognition. Understand your historical context - your alter ego is, consciously or unconsciously, likely influenced by past alter egos.
- Feel free to pay homage to past alter egos through small references, details, etc. However, like any work of art, don't plagiarize the characteristics of other people's creations.
- It's also helpful to look for examples of alter egos that "didn't" work. For example, 1990s country star Garth Brooks was widely ridiculed for his darker persona "Chris Gaines." The serious and anguished image of his alter ego seemed ridiculous and far-fetched compared to his serious work in country. Try creating lists of what has historically worked and what hasn't, in terms of alter ego in your field - writing, music, etc.
Tips
- If there are flaws in your attitude that you would like to overcome, let your alter ego work to do that too.
- Make a point of adding defects to your alter ego.
- Try writing a book or comic book about your alter ego's life.
- Be creative but true to yourself.
- Have a good time!
Notices
- If your character is too perfect, it could lower your self-esteem.
- Don't get too involved in the alter ego's life. Remember that you, your life and your friends are what matters most, not your alter ego.