So, I just sort of started wondering if I’m kin with a certain character. I didn’t know what that was until a few days ago when I saw a post about it and I started to wonder about a character that immediately became familiar to me. After reading the post, I thought about it a bit and I started thinking things like, “Yeah, I do that, too….” I have, however, had a fickin experience where I immediately saw myself in a different character, so I’m not as sure about this character. Can you help me?
Immediately recognizing yourself in a character doesn’t actually mean you are that character, it merely means that you see yourself in the character.
A well written character will have that effect on a lot of people.
To see yourself in something can be a hint to take a closer look however, to do the research, the introspection, the careful comparison, etc.
There’s no real knowing without the research, the introspection, the careful comparison, etc.
A singular experience does not a kintype, nor a fickintype (or whatever people are calling it right now) make.
At the very least, the absolute very least, look for differences, between yourself and the character, reasons to disbelieve that you and they are the same person, that’s the absolute bare minimum.
Always remember the distinction between empathy and identity. Sometimes you just really relate to a character rather than truly feel you are the character.
