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Post by Alatariel on Nov 5, 2021 15:15:14 GMT -6
So, we have all heard the saying "write what you want to read", right? It has always stuck with me, but I think sometimes we forget to do that and instead we write what we think others will want to read.
I've been working on my NaNo project and I absolutely adore these characters, especially Meridian. He is so utterly relatable to me, even though we are so different. It's like he's real and just telling me what to write. I've never had such a strong connection to a character I've created before, not even my MC in my novel. He wasn't this strong in my short story, but as I've given him chapters in his POV, I've discovered his deep insecurities and secret hopes. It's exhilarating and makes me want to write more in his perspective.
I love Vesper and Nox, too. But right now, I'm super happy with Meridian.
Do you have any characters that seem to write themselves? Or do you have some that are unclear?
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Post by pelwrath on Nov 5, 2021 20:35:59 GMT -6
I've been very happy with every character I've created and the world they are in, the two go hand in hand. That way I can write the historical documents of that world and characters.
In my Vampire story, I've four MCs, Zephrin, Laurent, Agate', and Brielle. The ending of my book changed after they discussed their concerns, with what I had planned out. In part two, they've had their say about a few issues. I have a secondary character, Gina, who adds her own two cents worth. Are they real? In a way, I created them when I made my notes about my vampires before I started writing the book.
Zephrin is the protagonist, to the extent I actually have one.
Laurent is the antagonist, with the same caveat.
Agate' is the instigator. Without her, none of this happens.
Brielle is Agate's ward, sort of. LI to Zephrin and special. Not a vampire.
My sister, an English major, (MA) said that I didn't do to female characters what most men do, but wouldn't tell me what that was.
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Nov 5, 2021 20:43:51 GMT -6
I wish I had this experience, but I don't. In my mind I take the role of the protagonist, even when they're not meant to represent me at all. So they never strike me as being remarkable, relatable others because they're 'me,' if that makes sense, as in they're the person I'm experiencing the story as. Like, I wouldn't see myself as remarkable or relatable because I am me. And then the other characters don't get enough screen time for me to relate to them; I just see them as playing a role.
I wonder if it's because I write short fiction and this is more something that happens with long fiction. Or maybe it's the kind of thing I write. Usually I have a very introspective focus on the main character and a fairly solitary problem with not a whole lot of visits from other people. Or my characters just haven't been very lovable.
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Post by pelwrath on Nov 5, 2021 20:53:41 GMT -6
That's a good point, Scintilla. Short fiction doesn't have the character development opportunity of novels.
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Post by havekrillwhaletravel on Nov 6, 2021 9:47:26 GMT -6
My experience's been similar to Scintilla. I haven't ventured into longer stories yet, and for now, most of the characters in my short stories are me. Exaggerated or caricatured versions of me, but me nonetheless. And I don't think there's anything that special about characters that are just me.
I envy you guys who have such deep and fruitful relationships with your characters. Actually, the Litterbug Junction RP is my first time writing a 'character' character. It's a confusing, occasionally frustrating attempt so far (I'm amazed and boggled at how you guys can create a fully-formed character). I wouldn't say I love Aditi, but we're getting to know each other.
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Post by pelwrath on Nov 6, 2021 10:56:41 GMT -6
My character and most likely the others, aren’t complete. They’re at a base line, changing with the story arc as it flows.
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Post by Mazulla on Nov 6, 2021 12:50:56 GMT -6
For me, yes and no. It's also circumstantial. I have loved characters, and I've fallen out of love with characters that I may retire altogether. As others have mentioned, it also depends on the story. In fully fleshed-out stories, or even in roleplays, you have plenty of time to grow attached to them with all the extra details, interactions, and the situations they'll be thrown into. In short stories, while I try to give them their own voices and personalities, I usually don't love the characters. But, I do find some characters easier to write than others and easier to identify with, so they practically write themselves. For example, I often have a hard time writing and connecting with bubbly and out-going personalities, however, that could be because I'm not exactly bubbly or out-going myself and that can be kind of my Achilles' heel. (I do try to improve by adding in a bubbly char where the occasion calls for it, though) Then there are a couple exceptions for characters in some short stories. I have one in particular where I love the main character it will be centered around. Between the little I've written and the situations I've planned for her over the course of the story, I'm thrilled to write it despite having many aspects I can't identify with (like being a mother). Unfortunately, I don't feel as if I can write it out completely yet... I'm still working on world-building and the magic system because there will be multiple short stories, this being one of them. As well as different characters, they'll take place in different time periods or areas of that world.
So, I've experienced it both ways, and it really depends on the situation for me.  |
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Post by HDSimplicityy on Nov 11, 2021 22:31:21 GMT -6
Yep. I do both. I write for me, but because of a story I want people to remember for life. Whether it happens or not is to be seen.
I love writing Ellexis's story. Its such fun like I could have never imagined. Given its my first novel and I have spent lots of time with her scenes, its not surprising. Her brother and her friends and family all take bits from my life and combine with lots of imagined stuff that I adore writing. Sylas and Irenka, my villains, have this silly, innocent banter that is completely opposite of their intention in the story. They are serious too.
A short story I posted several weeks ago was a pleasant time. Thomas, this hunter, wants to shoot a nice deer. I like his goal setting to want things outside of this slice-of-life moment. Get his home loan approval, for example. Spend enough time in a character's mind and you love em.
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You add them to your profile as you do them around the forum.
