| Author |
Topic:
The Essential Guide to Original Characters: *New Challenge* and a song about a boy name (mary) sue
|
DarthBreezy
Title: Retired Mos Everett Cantina Founder & JMPR
Registered:
Jun '02
|
Date Posted:
5/13 12:25pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation!
|
*sneaks in*
It actually falls right in line with your challenge, Jinn....
A Father's Promise
-----signature-----
Although the singer is silent, There is still the truth of the song. http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28747916/p1/ Sailing little Boats - with GoldenJedi Anywhere is possible.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Manion
Registered:
Feb '07
|
Date Posted:
5/13 7:33pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation!
|
Why, hello there, OC revolutionaries! It feels like it's been a while... probably because it has been a while. 
Figured I drop in, see how things were going here before I gave my current OC fic a long-needed update. Congrats to Jingerbread on winning that challenge  - and quite an interesting one we've got to sample this month. I'll admit that when it comes to my OCs, I torture and beat them and prod them with sticks and blow them up and then give them long lectures about how I'm not very pleased with their performance lately and that they wouldn't have to put up with this kind of thing if they'd just apply themselves for once, and now this metaphor is getting really out of hand. In a nutshell, I'm not very nice to my characters for some reason  . So mayhaps it is time for a change...
We should make that a discussion topic one of these days: why do we do bad things to our good characters? I mean, besides the obvious point that then the story would get really boring or perhaps we are disguising some kind of twisted sadistic side of our personality... 
-----signature-----
"Life... is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for."
-Smoking Man, 'The X-Files'
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
kecen
Registered:
Jul '05
|
Date Posted:
5/14 5:03pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation!
- Date Edited:
5/14 5:05pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
kecen
|
 I do bad things to Voh'nn Seinheild because he's a misogynist and likes to do the "you, broom closet" routine, and naturally any male who touches a female without her permission must be whipped into submission.
That's why he gets his skin flayed off & made into a cape for his suitor...
As for Elmira, she's also a Yuuzhan Vong. Warrior. Naturally, that means she must meet a horrific end involving explosives, even if she's one of the WOMYNZ. Well, outside Star Wars, she doesn't meet a horrific end and helps rid the galaxy of perverts via genetic counseling. 
Farand Ola...well she doesn't have a horrific end involved, being a chaste little Kaleesh philosophlanger with albinism. She does, however, drop kick a noble at a banquet (outside the SWU) and loses her post as Intelligent Design Advocate.
Sheela L'salde is secretly a female version of General Grievous. That means she meets a horrific end and is exploited by greedy MEN along the way.
Same with Oranda being Ronderu lij Kummar.
Grizhabel'd has everything coming because she has to eat, and make credits, while trying to pass for a human. I think it's because people have bad work days...
It could also be because TV/Movies/Novels abuse their characters. All I know about characterization I learned from watching english dubs of Japanese television series. 
-----signature-----
there is nothing in the world that we can count on
even that we will wake up is an assumption...but i know for a fact that i loved someone
and for about a year he lived in bastion...
Member of the George R. Binks fanclub, whoo!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
OCDatabaseSock
Registered:
Dec '04
|
Date Posted:
5/14 5:23pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation!
|
It could also be because TV/Movies/Novels abuse their characters. All I know about characterization I learned from watching english dubs of Japanese television series.
We always hurt the ones we love.
Let's focus on that for our next topic for discussion. While you are all busy writing your entries for what I call the Awwwww... Challenge, let's talk about where our inate need to "Do Bad Things" to our characters as Darth_Manion commented, but also where we draw all our influences to do so as mentioned by kecen.
What do you do to make your OC's life a living hell, and where does the inspiration to be so evil to them come from; for you?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Thumper09
Registered:
Dec '01
|
Date Posted:
5/14 8:25pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
Cool challenge!  Though now I'm afraid my characters might get wind of the fact that they can unionize... 
Discussion topic... um... lessee...
I tend to take the approach of inflicting emotional pain and taking away things the characters care about. They're much more likely to be injured psychologically than physically in my stories.
As for why I do that and put my poor characters through the wringer, I think a lot boils down to my need to see them win. I know, that's backwards. But if I can dish all this out to my characters and they can ultimately overcome it (maybe immediately, maybe a ways down the road), that inspires me and actually gives me some small hope that the same thing can be accomplished either on a smaller scale in my own life or on a larger scale with the world. But in order for them to heroically get up off their knees, first I have to kick their legs out from under them. That's why I'm mean to them. 
Of course, that only applies to stories with happy endings.  Sad endings are a different beast for me to write altogether.
Inspirations? Whew, I dunno about that. That type of story is one I've been drawn to since I can remember. I'll have to think about it more.
-Thumper
-----signature-----
"Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel The Way--Imperial pilot OCs, OT: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28104637 OC X-wing fics: http://www.coronasquadron.com/corona.html
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Etain
Registered:
May '08
|
Date Posted:
5/15 2:11am
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
I'm with Thumper on this.
If there's nothing bad happening, there's most likely no story. 
Bad things happening spell conflict, and conflict=story.
And I want my girls to gain something, insight, strenght, some will do it for a kiss from the right guy... (Too bad he's dead already, right? )
-----signature-----
RC_DARMAN is back!  ~ Proud Toastmaster of katriene ~ Sock of MsLanna
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
BigE
Registered:
Jul '02
|
Date Posted:
5/15 4:58am
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
Etain posted:
I'm with Thumper on this.
If there's nothing bad happening, there's most likely no story.
Bad things happening spell conflict, and conflict=story.
Agree +1
With the possible exception of the 'Awwwwwwwww Challenge'
-----signature-----
Aha! That's it. Hold it right there.
Pronoun trouble.
It's not "he doesn't have to shoot YOU now," it's "he doens't have to shoot ME now."
Well I say he DOES have to shoot me now!! So shoot me now!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Etain
Registered:
May '08
|
Date Posted:
5/15 5:21am
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
No exception for the awwwww-challenge. 
There is a lot of space for bad things to happen before we go 'aw'. or maybe even while.
-----signature-----
RC_DARMAN is back! ~ Proud Toastmaster of katriene ~ Sock of MsLanna
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
kecen
Registered:
Jul '05
|
Date Posted:
5/15 9:31pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
I'm definately entering this contest :B
But will it do if it's an addition to one of my previous stories? I have a great idea about making a parallel to the first installment...
-----signature-----
there is nothing in the world that we can count on
even that we will wake up is an assumption...but i know for a fact that i loved someone
and for about a year he lived in bastion...
Member of the George R. Binks fanclub, whoo!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jinngerbread
Registered:
Sep '07
|
Date Posted:
5/15 10:02pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
I definitely agree with what's already been said. Without conflict, most of the time there isn't a story. Conflict is essential to creating a good tale. And really, seeing the characters come out on top despite the bad that's happened to them is a big part of why I write.
-----signature-----
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Luton_Plunder
Registered:
Jun '06
|
Date Posted:
5/16 4:54am
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
Hey everyone! I'm dragging myself out of my self-imposed exile to try and re-socialise myself around here So what better way to start than by contributing to the OC discussion!
Though actually my post will be quite boring, because it can be summarised without loss of potency with the phrase "What Thumper Said." I think you got it spot on, especially with this line:
Thumper posted:
As for why I do that and put my poor characters through the wringer, I think a lot boils down to my need to see them win.
I think this is why all authors put their characters through hardship - it's a desire to see them win out over the hardship. In happy stories at least, as was rightly pointed out. There's nothing quite like seeing the good guy triumph over the bad guy, or the average joe stand up to overwhelming odds and come out victorious. It's the basis of most stories everywhere. Sure, the story could run along the lines of "Character A woke up and had a really good day, and went to bed content that tomorrow would be of a similar calibre to this one." I suspect people wouldn't keep reading, however, unless the next day held some kind of horror
I think alot of the reason that authors opt for a 'cruel' plot twist over a 'lovely' one is that most readers are aware that too much of a good thing is unrealistic. Even the most mushy of mush stories never go smoothly from start to finish because if they did, the accusation of author self-insertion and wish fulfillment would come up all too quickly. The issue of Mary Sueism comes up if the character has nothing to complain about, too. All things that lead a writer down the path of evil
So it's nothing that wasn't already said, but that's my view. As for why the bad things that happen to OCs in fanfic tend to be so extreme, well - that's another thing entirely
And woo, a great challenge I can't promise I'll have time to enter, but I will try my hardest
-----signature-----
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/16 4:03pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
- Date Edited:
5/16 4:10pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Jedi_Perigrine
|
Hi all, this is my first post in the EG to OCs.
I don't think I can take part in this month's Mush challenge. My poor characters (who're lucky enough to have friends!) have to suffer through a complete submersing in mush. To make things worse, what isn't mush is probably cheese. I'm not sure which is worse, really. Sometimes the line is very fine.
Mush vs cheese. "Darling wife, have I told you how your eyes remind me of corsca gems?" vs "Are you an angel?" Gah! Down you little turd, DOWN! 
Yes. I'm weird. Speaking of weird, I wrote this yesterday and I thought it strangely appropriate. This is a future excerpt from my ongoing story, Preservation. (shameless plug) Does this fit?
Knowing that secrecy was still of utmost importance, Wilch asked Windy to call him Father instead of Master. He in turn, called her Daughter rather than Padawan. Over time, the difference between the words became semantics alone and their relationship as teacher and student became more familial.
“You are my student. In every way that matters, you are my daughter as well. I wouldn’t trade you in for anything.”
“Father, you’re spewing mush and it’s going to make me regurgitate all over you,” she retorted, sarcastic tone hiding the pleasure that his words evoked.
-----signature-----
Look out boards, MamaVader snipped my braid!
Still a Talon!
Visitors+Vacation=Barely any time for writing! WAAH!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Corellian_Ale
Registered:
Mar '08
|
Date Posted:
5/16 4:21pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
Welcome Perigrine!
Nice little exchange you have there, make sure you post a link for your OC story here once you've posted it.
P.S. All plugs are shameless. Do we have any shame around here Revolutionaries?!?
SIR, NO SIR!
-----signature-----
Dath Writer's Block stands at the end of my bed while I sleep and laughs...  Proud Master to MsLanna  ...
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/16 4:39pm
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
I like shameless, I really really do! Maybe I'll fit in here better than I thought.
Meanwhile you can catch a link to my story in my signature. I'm living the shameless lifestyle, plugging whenever I can.
Thanks for the welcome! I leave now to go do battle with the in-laws. Does anybody have a well-armored codpiece I could borrow?
-----signature-----
Look out boards, MamaVader snipped my braid!
Still a Talon!
Visitors+Vacation=Barely any time for writing! WAAH!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Onoto
Title: Risk Host
Registered:
Oct '04
|
Date Posted:
5/17 11:12am
Subject:
RE: Essential Guide to OCs - May Challenge: OC Appreciation! New Discussion Topic!
|
|
The Connoisseur will weigh in when he isn't quite so busy later on.
-----signature-----
http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29007905&brd=10264&replies=0 - I am currently hosting the C&G version of the classic wargame Risk. Stop by and see what's going on!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
