The Spoiler Series, Issue 1: Of course characters develop.

[dukesransom]

I told you I was going to write about spoilers, and now I'm finally going to do so. Instead of trying to unleash everything I've ever thought about the subject in one unspeakably long post, though, I'm going to break up my thoughts into several shorter posts, spaced out over time. In this way I strive to ensure that my loyal audience can never be

Comments

[sandmantv]

It seems hard to believe that no character development is unsurprising. A character gaining the courage to stand up at the dramatic moment, a character going down a dark path that you hope against hope she won't, or a character completing their arc in such a definitive way that their death is assured. I can think of examples of each of these people would be rather upset at.

Sure "becomes marginally less whiny" seems pretty weak sauce. But perhaps you'd like to back this up with a more extreme case? Luke Skywalker seems an obvious one, but you may have better.

[dukesransom]

Compelling counter-examples. I think the issue is that enjoyment of character development is split along two axes: process and results. I love seeing how authors choose to develop their characters, and if I knew what the result would be I think I could still appreciate how the characters get there. Example; I'm reading a book right now that Bella has egregiously spoiled me for. I know that one character is going to succeed at his goals to an incredibly dramatic degree, and instead of resenting her I find myself more excited to see how he's going to get there from where he starts. Knowing that a character ends up going down an undesired path would decrease my enjoyment, though, so a point goes to you.

[storyspoiler]

Now I am smug re: how unspeakably ridiculous I often think spoiler panic is. Probably undeservedly so. Still, thanks for the argument.

[tiamat360]

Was recently pointed towards this article and thought of your post here.