Fic Talk > General Discussion
First Person vs. Third Person
RokofAges75:
^ Great advice, and I loved what you said about minute details. I am one of those "big dramatic storyline" people and have had the problem of writing things for the sake of plot that don't fit the characters - having them make decisions and do things they wouldn't really do, just because I liked the idea of where it would take the story. Live and learn... good characters should not be sacrificed for a plot device.
And you're absolutely right that some of the best stories come from some of the smallest moments. I always mention this one, but Mare's "The Importance of Fly Fishing" is another great example of that. And yet, I will always love big dramatic stories too. They still need good characters to back them up, though, or no one will care about the drama.
Pengi:
LOL Don't get me wrong, I love the big dramatic storylines ,too -- Obviously, my writing reflects that -- but 90% of the story is in the details. That's all I'm saying. :)
shadesmaclean:
--- Quote from: RokofAges75 on December 11, 2010, 07:15:30 PM ---I am one of those "big dramatic storyline" people and have had the problem of writing things for the sake of plot that don't fit the characters - having them make decisions and do things they wouldn't really do, just because I liked the idea of where it would take the story. Live and learn... good characters should not be sacrificed for a plot device.
--- End quote ---
Agreed. You did a better, clearer, job of summing up what I was talking about in my last post, about treating story characters like video game characters, rather than letting them be themselves and go about things their own way. Dialogue is something I've always had to work hard at, because I've always had a considerable vocabulary, and had to teach myself how not to superimpose that on every character's speaking style. Anymore, I consider it very important to be able to "hear" my character speaking, in his/her own words, to at least some degree before I start writing dialogue for them.
julilly:
--- Quote from: Pengi on December 11, 2010, 07:24:07 AM ---
Important to notice too is that every character should have a slightly unique vocabulary. For example, in my fan fics, Nick <i>very rarely</i> will use a big word. When he does, it's usually close-but-not-quite the word he was <i>trying</i> to use, or else someone makes a comment about him using it. Unless I'm trying to make a different perspective on him (like in Time Watcher, where he's actually much older than he appears), that's how Nick rolls. Nick tends to talk more in a sentence, too. He'll ramble. AJ uses a lot of swears - fuck is his favorite - and Brian tends to talk dorky - "ohmigawsh", "heck", etc. Howie and Kevin are my big-word users, because they're older, but Kevin uses more in a single sentence than Howie will use in a whole paragraph.
--- End quote ---
Though you've obviously chosen to stay as close to what you believe to be canon these same rules apply for those who write AU also.
Your AU characters will be completely convincing (even though they'd traditionally be considered out of character) as long as you mind the details and be consistent through the story. You can believe Nick as a doctor, or a scientist as long as he maintains the same qualities throughout. (Even writing this made me laugh. A doctor lol)
Pengi:
--- Quote from: julilly on December 12, 2010, 04:10:55 AM ---Though you've obviously chosen to stay as close to what you believe to be canon these same rules apply for those who write AU also.
Your AU characters will be completely convincing (even though they'd traditionally be considered out of character) as long as you mind the details and be consistent through the story. You can believe Nick as a doctor, or a scientist as long as he maintains the same qualities throughout. (Even writing this made me laugh. A doctor lol)
--- End quote ---
:o Nick? A doctor? Dude, unless he's an OB-GYN I don't wanna go anywhere NEAR that hospital... LOL
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