Ponderings

[the_inkslinger]

I've been mulling over writing and story-crafting frequently in the past little while, and lo and behold, I think I've undergone a major paradigm shift. I used to be staunchly anti-character-killing and radically pro-happy ending. I still believe in happy endings, but I want more from my stories (not necessarily just my own writing, but also from

Comments

[the_inkslinger]

Yes, I mostly feel that way too. Sometimes after I'm finished with the front-copy alone of the newspaper, all I can think is that the world is just so damn messed up. But I don't want to read ALL fluff and happiness and edenic existence...

[dmlpacker]

Though I agree that many of my favorite novels and films involve some type of intense sacrifice - typically the death(s) of a beloved character - I don't feel it is always necessary for an emotionally satisfying experience.

...

Actually after 5 minutes of contemplation, I can't think of any novel/movie (including Disney!) of mine which doesn't contain angst, tragedy, or scarring unhappiness of some sort. So yeah. In conclusion. You win ;)

(ROTD is perfect just the way it is!)

[the_inkslinger]

*laugh* I know, see? My favourite books/movies involve angst and sadness and tragedy as well (in their due time, that is). That gritty stuff just makes for good, engaging material, I think.

(ROTD is UNFINISHED the way it is *laugh*)

[alice_montrose]

There's nothing wrong with some kind of sacrifice to spice things up a bit. In fact, I have been using it (to a higher or lesser degree) in most of my fics. That doesn't mean there's no happy ending involved - it just means that the story is more realistic. :)

[the_inkslinger]

I agree entirely. I still want an OVERALL happy ending, but I want sacrifice on the way-- it certainly does spice things up.

Oooh what fics are those? Are they up for reading anywhere?

[alice_montrose]

To some extent, you find sacrifice in my SBA - not of a life, but other things. Though killing Lavian (formerly known as Lucifer) felt GOOD. Still, I rarely kill off characters; I limit myself to aspects of their personalities, pasts etc.

Anyway, for other stories... they're not up yet, some are only rabid bunnies in my brain. "Raven's Flight" will have sacrifice, not of a character but of a personality - Corvino keeps telling people Mathias (that is, who he was before) is dead, and in a way he is right. Complicated. We have then the phoenix story, when Reyn gives up his former life as *insert SPOILERS here* in order to become what he wanted to be, even if some would view this as crazy. And then there's the one in the Defenders world, where Setyn will actually die... and yet not really. XD

[the_inkslinger]

There is definitely sacrifice in SBA-- and it is wonderful! No wonder I love it so much. Though killing off aspects of their personalities and pasts definitely stands in almost as a 'killing of character' in some ways I think, and definitely involves sacrifice and suffering.

Oh, I am eagerly anticipating the rapid bunnies in your brain becoming stories. They sound extremely intriguing and complex- I love that. Your brain must be a marvelous place, full of all those great story and character ideas! Must feel crowded, though! *laugh*

Contains HP spoilers sorry about that.

[saaski_moql]

I am torn, but in compromise.

See, I like happy endings without killing. I hate it when characters I like die and, what is more, I often (even in books I love) feel it is unnecessary. To experience pain and trauma there does not always have to be death.

On the flip side, I admit to liking it when characters suffer a little, especially in a story that is really going to draw you in and possibly centers around romance. Why? Because if it's all fluff and good and happy then not much is really happening is there? You're left going "okay, so...it's cute but. I'm not going to read it again." Even if the silliest, fluffy things I have read, that needs to be some sort of conflict for it to really get interesting. For me, the bigger the conflict, the grit, the harshness, the more I like it (but only if it ends well because why read a story that is just "suffersuffersufferdie

Re: Contains HP spoilers sorry about that.

[the_inkslinger]

You can soil HP all you like. I am finished HP! There is nothing to spoil bwa ha ha ha

Re: Contains HP spoilers sorry about that.

[saaski_moql]

I understand what you mean. The death doesn't have to be important to the story really, but it shouldn't be in there just so the author can be "Look! I killed him off! I totally did!"

Personally I think that any story where you can connect to the characters is a good one, and I've certainly done my share of connecting to the RoTD cast. (You do, after all, remember my reaction to what was going to happen to Ryunne, yes? "B-BUT INKY. ;_____________; RYUNNE.") I'm not so sure who you'd kill off in RoTD, honestly, becuse you make all your characters so important. Of everyone, I can see two people most likely to die if you hardcore went into that line, and I'll divulge them to you later if you'd like, but my response to both cases would still be a resounding "NOOOOOOOOO. TT_TT"

Can you talk this weekend?
Like you even have to ask! XD Yes, of course. Saturday night like usual?

Re: Contains HP spoilers sorry about that.

[the_inkslinger]

Yes. So long as you care about the character and what happens to them-- and that sometimes they are put in jeopardy so you really feel that caring-- is I think the key thing.

Hahahaha... I am VERY CURIOUS to know who you think I would kill off. There are several possibilities. Yes, I would very much like for you to tell me later (the curiosity, it is unbearable!)Ahh... but seriously, RotD's cast is kind of huge. It could use a trimming?

[bronzewolf07]

I agree that a satisfying story must have some sort of choice or sacrifice that changes the character in a life-changing way, whether for the better or worse. It makes the happy ending, depending if there is a happy ending, gratifying: a hard journey makes the arrival so much more sweeter. To me, it really hits me hard when characters who are close to and love one another are pulled apart, and the situation pits them against the other. And I agree with the other comments that death has to be treated carefully. There have been many books, films and shows that I've read/seen where the death of a character has distanced me away from the storyline. In some instances it made me stop reading/watching all together. But, as the author, you have to make your own judgements.

[the_inkslinger]

Yes, a hard journey makes the ending all the better, I totally agree. Oooh, and the pulling apart of characters who were close and loved each other is a heartwrenching thing to do, you are totally right (though now you have inspired me to try it *laugh* I think). When favourite characters of mine have died, I've often wanted to stop reading-- like when Lee Scorsby in The Golden Compass died. ;__; I was so upset I stopped reading it for a while. But I love those books above all others, and I agree with everything that happened in them. It just can't be gratuitous, I think.

Yes, although don't worry, I'm not about to go on a killing spree in any story. *laugh* I do love my characters after all, and am still a supporter of happy-endings, despite what I've said. I hate it when you read a book and the ending leaves you ticked off and feeling like you wasted your time.

[bronzewolf07]

Have you ever read Dune? Because I was sooooo ticked off at that ending that I actually cried. I'm usually not a crier when it comes to books, but wow. Not a happy camper with that one. But I guess it was good stylistically since I felt so much for it?

If you went on a killing spree, I think I'd boycott your stories. ^_^ That's why I avoid Shakespeare tragedies. I like to have my stories with breathing characters.

[the_inkslinger]

Oh, crap, no-- but I have read some of the other books, and seen the mini-series, and the movie... ^^;; I should probably read the actual book one of these days. Or maybe not, if it ends horribly......

I wouldn't go on a killing spree! It would just be here and there, I think.

As for killing wonderful characters-- you're my His Dark Materials pal, right? When Lee Scoresby died it was just.... guh! That was the point that I stopped reading when I was younger, I was so upset. ;______; so cruel. But also good, I think now. But sad.

Anyway. How are the dragon books???