--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ultimately, any character you write - no…" description: "\"Ultimately, any character you write - no matter how fantastic or alien - is an extension of yourself. When our characters reflect the truth of our soul..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf4/j-m-dematteis-88045_aliens_ultimately-any-character-you-write-no-ma_693170.jpg" --- # Ultimately, any character you write - no matter how… ![“Ultimately, any character you write - no matter how fantastic or alien - is an extension of yourself. When our characters reflect the truth of our souls and psyches, they become real and compelling. The wonderful paradox is that the characters then take on lives of their own, separate from their…” quote by J. M. DeMatteis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf4/j-m-dematteis-88045_aliens_ultimately-any-character-you-write-no-ma_693170.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf4/j-m-dematteis-88045_aliens_ultimately-any-character-you-write-no-ma_693170.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf4/j-m-dematteis-88045_aliens_ultimately-any-character-you-write-no-ma_693170.jpg) > “Ultimately, any character you write - no matter how fantastic or alien - is an extension of yourself. When our characters reflect the truth of our souls and psyches, they become real and compelling. The wonderful paradox is that the characters then take on lives of their own, separate from their creators. That's where the magic comes in.” [J. M. DeMatteis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-dematteis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers project their inner selves into characters, making them authentic; the characters then develop independently, creating magical storytelling. **In simple terms:** Characters mirror the writer’s soul and then take on lives of their own. Key Takeaway Allow characters to evolve beyond your initial plan. Themes creativity identity storytelling autonomy Mood inspirational thoughtful Type literary creative When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - role‑playing games - creative workshops Key Concepts psychology character development authorial projection Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay true to your vision while letting characters grow? - When does character autonomy hinder the story? A Different Perspective Characters may diverge from intended themes, causing narrative drift. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-write-250075/) [Characters Reflect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-reflect-5503757/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comic book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic-book/) [Compelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compelling/) [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Extensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extensions/) [Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantastic/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Paradox Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox-characters-5503756/) [Psych](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psych/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Wonderful Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful-paradox-3809887/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“It's a wonderful paradox: only when you have a changeless sense of who you are, can real changes take place. It is the ground…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/it-s-a-wonderful-paradox-only-when-you-have-a-changeless-sense-of-who/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [I appear to be drawn to iconic characters and what they reflect back to our cultures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hooper/i-appear-to-be-drawn-to-iconic-characters-and-what-they-reflect-back/) [Tom Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hooper/) > [But I always need to identify with a character to write about him or her - and by 'identify,' I mean see the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/but-i-always-need-to-identify-with-a-character-to-write-about-him-or/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [I can't help slightly falling in love with every character I write about. And I quite like writing about people who are vilified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-can-t-help-slightly-falling-in-love-with-every-character-i-write/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [In some ways, every character we write, especially the protagonist, is some version of ourselves, as a writer/director, even if they aren't the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lulu-wang/in-some-ways-every-character-we-write-especially-the-protagonist-is/) [Lulu Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lulu-wang/) > [Don't write about a character. Become that character, and then write your story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-canin/don-t-write-about-a-character-become-that-character-and-then-write/) [Ethan Canin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-canin/) > [“If you can’t be of good character, write a good character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosen-trevithick/if-you-can-t-be-of-good-character-write-a-good-character/) [Rosen Trevithick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosen-trevithick/) > [I never base a character on someone I know. You can get ideas from real life, but every character you write is some aspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-hinton/i-never-base-a-character-on-someone-i-know-you-can-get-ideas-from/) [S. E. Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-hinton/) > [I make no conscious effort to be tough, or hard-boiled, or grim, or any of the things I am usually called. I merely try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/i-make-no-conscious-effort-to-be-tough-or-hard-boiled-or-grim-or-any/) [James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/) > [“A well-developed and versed character will write the story for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-voss/a-well-developed-and-versed-character-will-write-the-story-for-you/) [A.R. Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-voss/) > [If you go to any fight, whether MMA or boxing, there's a whole musical soundscape to these events. There's pre-event pump up/psych-up music, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-anthony-levy/if-you-go-to-any-fight-whether-mma-or-boxing-there-s-a-whole-musical/) [Shawn Anthony Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-anthony-levy/) > [People sometimes strive after and think they will find deep satisfaction for their psyches in wealth, sex or drugs, but then find that ultimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-sometimes-strive-after-and-think-they-will-find-deep/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [We got him to talk to a psych doctor once, the doctor asked if he heard things other people don't. Sure, Paul answered, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/we-got-him-to-talk-to-a-psych-doctor-once-the-doctor-asked-if-he/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [When, within our souls and psyches we are made aware of a safe but insistent drum beat, repeated like butterfly wings in motion, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-meeker/when-within-our-souls-and-psyches-we-are-made-aware-of-a-safe-but/) [Mary Meeker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-meeker/) > [Curiosity is a raw and genuine sign from deep inside our tangled psyches, and we'd do well to follow the direction it points us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/po-bronson/curiosity-is-a-raw-and-genuine-sign-from-deep-inside-our-tangled/) [Po Bronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/po-bronson/) ## More by J. M. DeMatteis > [The impossible isn't a limitation, it's an invitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-dematteis/the-impossible-isn-t-a-limitation-it-s-an-invitation/) [J. M. DeMatteis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-dematteis/) > [I understand the most profound and simplest Truth of all: Any time any of us reaches out, any time we pour even a drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-dematteis/i-understand-the-most-profound-and-simplest-truth-of-all-any-time-any/) [J. M. DeMatteis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-dematteis/) [Explore all 3 J. M. DeMatteis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-dematteis/) ## More Aliens quotes > [My days – the blossom of my youth and the flower of my manhood – have been darkened by the dreariness of servitude. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-o-connell/my-days-the-blossom-of-my-youth-and-the-flower-of-my-manhood-have/) [Daniel O'Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-o-connell/) > [Ay-firmative,' Eve said, and tried for a smile. 'Sorry. An Aliens reference always makes me feel better at times like this. Exept I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/ay-firmative-eve-said-and-tried-for-a-smile-sorry-an-aliens-reference/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [You gonna take the case?" It's not a case. It's a missing person. Sort of." You're gonna have a devil of a time finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/you-gonna-take-the-case-it-s-not-a-case-it-s-a-missing-person-sort-of/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Joel Lane documents a life we don’t quite live, in a city we can’t quite find: half glimpsed and half imagined, we know it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-brenchley/joel-lane-documents-a-life-we-don-t-quite-live-in-a-city-we-can-t/) [Chaz Brenchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-brenchley/) > [Emma was a shocking driver, simultaneously sloppy and petrified, and for the first fifty miles had been absent-mindedly driving with her spectacles on top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/emma-was-a-shocking-driver-simultaneously-sloppy-and-petrified-and/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [Humans suffer from self-centred notions as to the nature of life. Humans assume that alien life forms should conform to standards that match our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-perry/humans-suffer-from-self-centred-notions-as-to-the-nature-of-life/) [Steve Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-perry/) > [If you're going to immerse yourself in a project for three years, why not stake out a chunk of the world that is completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-powers/if-you-re-going-to-immerse-yourself-in-a-project-for-three-years-why/) [Richard Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-powers/) > [I'm not a fan of any genre but am a fan of movies that are intelligent and/or funny. That goes across all genres: a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-a-fan-of-any-genre-but-am-a-fan-of-movies-that-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The respect for human rights, essential if we are to use technology wisely, is not something alien that must be grafted onto science. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/the-respect-for-human-rights-essential-if-we-are-to-use-technology/) [John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/) > [“Intellectualism is a poor master over passion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twe-stephens/intellectualism-is-a-poor-master-over-passion/) [Twe Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twe-stephens/) > [Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/robin-williams-was-an-airman-a-doctor-a-genie-a-nanny-a-president-a/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Evangelicals are distraught over the state of America because they have not been taught that we're aliens here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/evangelicals-are-distraught-over-the-state-of-america-because-they/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Even the Supreme Court, back when it used to makes sense, the Supreme Court has never ruled that a baby born to illegal aliens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/even-the-supreme-court-back-when-it-used-to-makes-sense-the-supreme/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Some pundits have proposed that the aliens have come here to breed with us. Apparently, too much bike riding or something similar has rendered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/some-pundits-have-proposed-that-the-aliens-have-come-here-to-breed/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) [Browse all 1,329 Aliens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ultimately, any character you write - no matter how fantastic or alien - is an extension of yourself. When our characters reflect the truth of our souls and psyches, they become real and compelling. The wonderful paradox is that the characters then take on lives of their own, separate from their creators. That's where the magic comes in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. M. 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