Help Writing an Aspie Character

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So, quick summary here: I'm writing a Heroic Fantasy novel, (that is, character focused, rather than an Epic Fantasy with world-shaking consequences.) One of the primary goals I have with writing it is to create a structurally sound and familiar plot, but without all of the tropes and cliches that normally piss me off in fantasy novels.

(If if matters, the plot is effectively True Grit by way of the Lord of the Rings. That is to say, a whoooole lot of cross-country travel.)

Along with other efforts I'm making, I want one of the two main characters to have Aspergers. But, unlike every other freakin' Aspie in fiction, I don't want to make a caricature of his symptoms or turn him into the comic relief. (The idea is that, if you aren't familiar with Aspergers and don't already know it, you'd assume he's just a socially awkward person with a few personality quirks.)


So, to help with this, I was hoping I could get some feedback from you wonderful people! His symptoms are mostly modeled around my own experiences, but tailored more to fit his personality and history.

(Important note #1: He does't know that he is on the Autism spectrum.
Important note #2: He's a wizard.)
Probably the most overt thing is his speech patterns. He never uses contractions, and speaks in a literal, long winded, and thought out manner. (This is partly because English is not his first language, but mainly to ensure that people understand what he's trying to communicate.)
He also has no sense of humor or wordplay, though this is due to an unrelated problem. (Magic related. It'd take a while to explain.)

When anxious or nervous, he'll fiddle with whatever he's got in his right hand or, if empty-handed, brush his fingers against something nearby.

He avoids eye contact and is repelled by physical contact, except when in combat. (It's a fantasy novel, there's gonna be some swordfights.)

He enjoys reading children's novels, for their short length and easy-to-follow plotlines.

He's asexual, and mostly aromantic. (This also serves as a minor story function, the other main character is female but 14 years his junior, and I want to preemptively discourage any creepy shipping.)

He's paranoid and untrusting of others he does not know, though this is in part due to a few personal betrayals in his past.



I'm shooting for 'Noticeable, but not over the top or comical', so any advice on how to do that, (Be it other suggestions for character traits, good examples in fiction that I'm unaware of, or any other suggestions,) is greatly appreciated! I'd like to do this right.

^^What a great idea! I'll be looking forward to reading it if you ever want to share it! I love fantasy novels! Good for you!

It's great that you want to write a realistic Aspie character. The important thing is to make the Asperger's subtle and not have every single thing about the character reflect their Asperger's. Having the character be completely literal and have no sense of humour sounds kind of unrealistic. Good luck—it sounds like something I would enjoy reading!

Interesting story idea,which reminds me of something I have been trying to write though not fantasy but the main character is partly a projection of myself,with the emphasis on sensory issues and overcoming fear in general,especially social phobia,though distinct and the conception of autism as we understand it does not quite exist in the character's universe. Anywho it seems like you have a well defined idea for your main character,I would not mind seeing how your story turns out,sounds interesting.