: Re: How to write a socially awkward, anxious character without them ending up like Bella Swan? I'm trying to write a character who is shy and awkward and has anxiety so she would stutter or have

@Odierno164

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The answers above are pretty good already so I'm just adding a few extra bits. Basically, you are approaching the problem from the wrong angle: the question shouldn't be "How do I make my socially awkward character likable", but "How I make my likable character deal with a crippling behavior", if that makes any sense. One thing that could help you is to write down the background of this character, starting with what makes it a likable person, then expending to her full background. You don't need to include all this background in your story, but it help you predict how your character will react to situations.
Shy or introvert people are like everybody else: they have hopes, dreams, qualities and flaws. Maybe she's very shy but extremely funny when we get to know her, or maybe she's super insightful. Maybe she's truly passionate about something, or have a special talent that only waits to be noticed by the people around her. Get to know your character: what does she likes, what are her hobbies, her favorite things to do? How does she likes to dress? Does she have friends or a role model? Where does she likes to hang out? What are her flaws, what gets her angry? What could pushes her to make the wrong calls? What situations causes her to stutter? Borrow traits from real people you got to like if that helps.
Once you know what kind of person your character is, you'll be able to write believable situation where she would act awkwardly and still get your reader to root for her. And remember: if that character is important to your story, there should be at least an obstacle to overcome that help her triumph over her flaws (or at least mitigate them): having to make a big speech, asking the popular guy out, whatever suits your story. You read a story to get a sense of progression: if your character is as crippled at the end of the story than it was at the beginning, there's not much of a point in reading about her. Hope it helps.

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