: Re: Is it a bad idea to have a character that has an "imaginary friend"? In a story I'm working on, I'm adding a side character to travel with the two main characters because I realized I didn't

@Gail2416123

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Tell the reader directly

You did not mention the point of view of your story. If you are taking a third-person omniscient point of view, you can tell the reader directly that this is only in the person's head with no outside existence. You can time this revelation for maximum effect in the story, whether that means revealing it early to avoid ambiguity or towards the end as something of a twist.

Have the character realize it eventually

This is somewhat similar, but works better with more limited points of view. If the character eventually realizes it, then the readers will know. This could serve as an interesting development for the character where they have to grapple with the fact that their companion has no independent existence.

Have other characters express doubt or reasons for doubt

While it would leave room for interpretation you can readily have other characters question your main character's sanity when they mention or imply the existence of the other being.

That may not prove to your reader that the imaginary friend is all imaginary. Particularly in the horror genre the fact others question the sanity of a main character because of a real but hard to believe event is a staple. Occulus does this remarkably well in a film.

But if the other characters question it and there is no firm revelation that it is real the readers are likely to assume it is not real.

You may want to leave it ambiguous

Also, remember that ambiguities in fiction do not always detract from the story. They are often created deliberately with unreliable narrators.

Perhaps the amount of time spent clarifying the situation for the reader is zero and the reader is left to make up their own minds or to wonder. This can work especially well if you are considering a sequel or series as it leaves one more thing to be potentially tied up in subsequent stories.

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