How to Write a Charismatic Character

So I'm trying to write a character that's supposed to be charismatic. I've read plenty of materials about how to be charismatic, which has a lot to do with body language. The thing is, I'm worried that this won't translate well to text. I don't think describing someone's body language will have the same effect as being able to see someone's body language. With that in mind, any ideas how I can make this character come off as charismatic.

You could try having it come out in the way others react to him - tendency to trust, afford respect, listen when he speaks, Have them comment what a great guy he is, how "something about him is compelling", "could listen to him for hours" etc.

Show by the actions and words of others that he's generally well liked.

Perhaps show someone who is less charismatic come up with a great idea and not get taken seriously then have him express the same idea and people take notice.

Maybe have someone comment admiringly that they wish they had his "presence" and/or "personality" and comment on how everyone shuts up when he walks into the room so they can hear what he has to say. Don't go too overboard on this particular tactic, just the fact that it's commented on at all should convey that people are impressed with him.

This thread does bring up a good question: Can you portray body language in literature and have the same effect as in real life? Probably not, but I think you could use descriptions of body language to make this character come off as more charismatic.

Body language is always a weird one in writing - sometimes describing a persons body movement in detail can come across as jarring an deflate the flow. Sometimes "less is more" to get across their stance, their vibe.

Maybe give them good lines. I don't know I struggle with this myself

Give your character the ability to convince and inspire their friends and the others through logical thinking and reasons, be it a Rousing Speech (or a New Era Speech for villains) or sometimes a precise slap in the face to snap someone out of their BSOD, so much their friends would trust the character.

Edited by Mhazard on Feb 16th 2020 at 10:19:37 PM

I read somewhere once that charismatic people make you feel good about yourself, like you're the interesting, likable one, and like you belong. They ask you about yourself and show interest in what you tell them, make themself seem just relatable enough to feel approachable and non-intimidating without devaluing or crossing the line into pathetic, and with regards to body language, it's likely open and nonthreatening. They're not going to stack you up against other people or make you feel like you need to be something for them, and if they do do those things, they likely know how to make you feel like it was your idea all along. (See Leverage.)

Feeling like you belong is a big deal in human social interaction, and it's what makes people like someone who's charismatic and want to be around them and tell them stuff. By extension, this lets the charismatic person slot themselves easily into new social situations.

Edited by CrystalGlacia on Feb 16th 2020 at 10:53:52 AM