Comments | limyaael: Sensible character motivations rant

limyaael

Sensible character motivations rant

Mar 20, 2005 23:30

This is more list-like in form than the others, but then, it contains some list-like objects and a few pieces of actual advice.

So there.

( Being sensible about motivations )

fantasy rants: spring 2005, characterization rants: protagonists

Comments 57

___sasuka March 21 2005, 05:08:22 UTC

Bravo! Excellent rant as usual.

Today I got the first two books of aSoIaF and your recommendation. So far, it's been really good.

P.S. Could you friend me in your Ravenflower Cycle journal? Thanks.

limyaael March 21 2005, 23:05:22 UTC

I really hope you enjoy the first two books of ASoIaF! (I feel guilty when I recommend something and the other person doesn't enjoy it, especially if they've spent money as opposed to borrowing the book from the library).

I looked at your userinfo, and it seemed to indicate that you were still a teenager, or 12. Can you add your birth year so I'll know how old you are?

___sasuka March 22 2005, 21:50:21 UTC

done.

silverwerecat March 21 2005, 06:00:51 UTC

The force of inertia is a damn mighty one. Try putting a protagonist on the side of the status quo, and it should be immediately obvious what he wants, and why he's not going anywhere if he can help it.

Thank you, THANK YOU, for this. This is the character I'm writing right now in my Dragondust story/novel: a state official who hates change. (Hint, hint: It's up at FPcom, if you feel like reading).

limyaael March 21 2005, 23:05:40 UTC

Will go and read it. Thank you for letting me know!

silverwerecat March 22 2005, 16:58:35 UTC

Thanks. *purr* Especially for your feedback.

dwg March 21 2005, 06:11:58 UTC

I can't help but be amused by point 8. Simply because it's true. People will go to extraordinary lengths for a decent shag. And then the hijinks and (mis)adventures can ensue.

limyaael March 21 2005, 23:06:34 UTC

Exactly. It's such a strong theme in the personal stories that people tell, I'm surprised it doesn't show up more often in fantasy.

blunder_buss March 21 2005, 06:49:42 UTC

Good god, woman, you wrote this with such good timing! I've been musing over character motivations for a fanfic I'm plotting to write, and this helps so, so much. Thanks!

limyaael March 21 2005, 23:07:01 UTC

*grin* You're welcome. The sheer number of times that these rants seem to apply to fanfiction never ceases to amaze or amuse me.

erythros March 21 2005, 07:07:44 UTC

MONEY. *__* I mean, you'd think that this would be a far more prevalent motive, given that THE AUTHOR HERSELF will be wanting money. (I want money. Lots of it.) (In a television series, The Rockford Files, the main character once states, "There are two things I won't do for money. I won't kill for it, and I won't marry for it. Other than that, I'm open to just about anything." He means it. And is shown carrying it out. And he's the unequivocal hero. He rocks.)

Grumble grumble Arya sulk sulk sulk. Yes, sad and creepy. (And then STANNIS. *_* <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 STANNIS!!!! Poor thing.)

This is a very good rant. I was told once that the three main keys to a character are WHO are they, WHAT do they want, and WHAT lengths will they go to to get it.

t¬

limyaael March 21 2005, 23:08:39 UTC

Well, a lot of writers don't make much money, so perhaps that's it. Or perhaps it's the "You're not supposed to want money for doing something you love" stereotype. (Me too). (That show sounds awesome).

Arya is too sad and creepy- a war-survivor child who shows what it would be like. (I do not get your immense love for Stannis, though I agree he's a cool character).

Thank you.

Rockford Files rom65536 March 22 2005, 12:14:42 UTC

the guy that created The Rockford Files is someone _everyone_ that wants to write any kind of _anything_ should look in to.
Stephen J. Cannell.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004798/

He created just about every good TV show in the 1980s and 1970s.
Everything from a new kind of film-noir to a new kind of superhero.
Everyone has their literary "gods" they look up to. Cannell is my choice for the new pantheon.

chiyo_no_saru March 23 2005, 13:58:56 UTC

I've got a character who wants money to buy himself out of slavery - however, once he's got that, he becomes a proper employee for his former master (Hey, Levin was decent and only beat him when he screwed up, so why not?) in order to, y'know, not free all the little babies but to live well and decently.

While I agree in real life that far too much is done for money, I find it more realistic (most of the time) to imagine a character doing something for money than something else.

Like mercenaries - I'd bet you that ninety-nine percent are in it for the money, .99% in it for alterior motivations (such as REVENGE!!!) and .01% are in it for the "thrill of the hunt." (And to the ones who work at it for revenge: um, huh? What are the odds of you being assigned or going anywhere you'd have a chance?!)

...sorry I comment so much. I like thinking.