The reason I generally appreciate Cherryh's stories and novels is that she doesn't run away from the tough, real issues that make people human and control their motivation and desires. That seems to be increasingly rare (in short fiction in particular) these days.
Comic action scene -- if the villain they need to fight is in some way disproportionate (who's a tiny little fear demon?), that's funny right there. If they are fighting a normal villain, well, authorial voice helps, and so does shtick.
Really, I have shockingly little advice to offer -- if the setup for the fight is funny, the fight itself should be easier to make amusing, and that's about all I got.
Thanks. The problem is that the fight isn't quick enough, because they're on an island and because I've got them refusing to use their special powers -- so Lex won't do any planning, threatening or bribing and Clark won't do any bopping of heads. I also don't want to kill anybody; it would kind of break the mood.
I guess I need to write an initial Clark plan that fails badly. Argh! I hate this story already and I'm not even done with it. Actually, that's often the case -- by the time they're done, I can't wait to see the back of them.
Yes, killing people = not funny. Even in most of the good comic mystery novels.
An initial Lex plan that failed would be funnier, but outside the confines of your story. A Clark plan that Lex can see a mile away will fail, is sorely tempted to revise, resists revising, and goes along with almost joylessly, bopping heads with a certain fatalistic sorrow, could be funny if done right. Also, if you have read Donald Westlake's brilliant Dortmunder novels, the ways in which his sad sack antihero's plans tend to spiral out of control might be an inspiration.
Good luck! That "God, just let me FINISH" sensation is sadly familiar.
I love the Dortmunder books. I don't think I can quite approach that level of genius, especially not in the next day or so. But I love your joyless, fatalistic description and I'll see what I can do.
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If you still need a beta, I could help, as long as you don't need a super-speedy turnaround time. :D
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Really, I have shockingly little advice to offer -- if the setup for the fight is funny, the fight itself should be easier to make amusing, and that's about all I got.
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I guess I need to write an initial Clark plan that fails badly. Argh! I hate this story already and I'm not even done with it. Actually, that's often the case -- by the time they're done, I can't wait to see the back of them.
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An initial Lex plan that failed would be funnier, but outside the confines of your story. A Clark plan that Lex can see a mile away will fail, is sorely tempted to revise, resists revising, and goes along with almost joylessly, bopping heads with a certain fatalistic sorrow, could be funny if done right. Also, if you have read Donald Westlake's brilliant Dortmunder novels, the ways in which his sad sack antihero's plans tend to spiral out of control might be an inspiration.
Good luck! That "God, just let me FINISH" sensation is sadly familiar.
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