Thread Closed
Can they be RPed by anyone? Of course! Like the previous examples given in the thread, our characters can be a lot of things that we, ourselves aren't. But if you want to get more in-depth in your understanding of what your character does and how their mind functions, I suggest doing some research into what they're good at.
You don't have to be a master at what they do, hardly. But I personally find it invaluable to have a notion of what your character might think of. How their mental process would work. Things that would make them react and why. How they would respond. So on and so forth.
Now, the challenge with a "genius" type character is, the brain functions differently. Without an insider's knowledge on how a genius thinks, it's an extra challenge to be able to write/RP this authentically. (The same could be said for characters with mental disorders, learning disabilities, etc. that you yourself do not have)
This isn't just a problem for RPers. This is something professional writers can and do struggle with. As a kid, I always scored ridiculously high on IQ tests, and... well, the "child prodigies" I saw in books or TV shows rarely felt real to me.
I don't think this should deter you from playing what you want. This is your hobby, and you should do what you feel like. Whatever is most fun to do.... well, do that! And don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't. Or that you're not doing it right.
You don't have to be a master at what they do, hardly. But I personally find it invaluable to have a notion of what your character might think of. How their mental process would work. Things that would make them react and why. How they would respond. So on and so forth.
Now, the challenge with a "genius" type character is, the brain functions differently. Without an insider's knowledge on how a genius thinks, it's an extra challenge to be able to write/RP this authentically. (The same could be said for characters with mental disorders, learning disabilities, etc. that you yourself do not have)
This isn't just a problem for RPers. This is something professional writers can and do struggle with. As a kid, I always scored ridiculously high on IQ tests, and... well, the "child prodigies" I saw in books or TV shows rarely felt real to me.
I don't think this should deter you from playing what you want. This is your hobby, and you should do what you feel like. Whatever is most fun to do.... well, do that! And don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't. Or that you're not doing it right.