Gore Vidal suggests that every writer possesses a mental ensemble of characters that they draw upon while creating stories. He compares this to a theater company, with Shakespeare having a larger group of about 20 characters, while he himself manages with a smaller cast of around 10. This illustrates the idea that writers have a limited number of archetypes and personalities they prefer to work with.

As writers gain experience, they become more adept at selecting and utilizing these characters in their narratives. This skill is honed over time, allowing them to enrich their storytelling by effectively casting their internal repertory company, enhancing the depth and complexity of their writing.