Does a character have to be a bard to be a good artist? I'm referring to writing in particular (stories and plays, for example), but also performance arts like acting or oratory. The problem is that perform, which a character could take as a cross-class skill in a normal DnD setting, is bard-exclusive in Neverwinter Nights.

I mention this because I'm planning out a character who would be an author and playwright, but not a bard. He would have high intelligence and a positive charisma modifier.

In lieu of the ability to take Perform, I'd suggest that you take Bluff - Which covers all a manner of things from masquerading as others, to the use of misleading bodylanguage.