Case (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
case) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomsecrets2014-08-23 03:32 pm
case) wrote in fandomsecrets2014-08-23 03:32 pm
[ SECRET POST #2790 ]
⌈ Secret Post #2790 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
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Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 069 secrets from Secret Submission Post #399.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
Re: THANK YOU OP
Re: THANK YOU OP
EX: http://jaybiejay.tumblr.com/post/94547695379/poor-reason-to-give-your-oc-a-tragic-backstory
Here are six motivations for one choice, three good and three not so much. The good ones basically amount to 'because it's part of/challenges the character' or 'because it makes an interesting character where as the others are either cheapening shortcuts and fetishization.
The former three reasons would almost definitely result in a poorly written "sympathy sue" like we've seen many times before, especially in the hands of an beginner. I even believe that in the case of an expert they might end up in a mediocre character because the focus is more on 'to get this reaction to my character' rather than portraying their situation and plight properly.
The best way to describe it is that "when you use traits as a shortcut or to cut corners or "cheat" , then you end up with the trait appearing to be 'Sueish'."
Re: THANK YOU OP
(I double checked against that list with some characters of mine that have tragic backstories, and realised that I didn't really intend to go into them when I finally work on their stories. Just know them and know the effects on their behavior and hint at them, because they themselves don't really want to talk about it.)
Re: THANK YOU OP
The few times I've been a beta reader/character advisor for an OC, when it came to their backstory- I would caution them against tragic backstories (unless they were prepared for doing lots of research and work) for THIS reason. Not "because it's Mary Sueish" but because"if you're not careful you could cheapen what's a serious issue"
The crazy thing?
That explanation almost always works (so far anyway, though the people I worked with were fairly reasonable). It's important to remember the REASONS we advise people against writing something. "Because it's Mary Sueish" is not really a reason and relying on it weakens critique skills.
I never told them "you shouldn't have tragic/abusive back-stories" because I didn't think it would do any good, it's better to tell them "if you're GOING to do it, here's what you do". That way at least you know they have the proper information and knowledge. Because with many young writers, chances are good they'll do it anyway. Also considering some of my works I'd be hypocritical. XD
Re: THANK YOU OP
Glad to hear it works!
And, of course, real people can have tragic backstories too.
Re: THANK YOU OP
It's easy to get carried away with "OH THIS IS SO COOL" and forget about story when you're a young writer, and sometimes when you're older.
It can help to appeal to someone's decent side and talk to them like a friend who's on their side. Be honest but in a way that's tactful and kind. Talk with them as if you KNOW they can do really well if just given the chance.
I agree. One of my character's emotionally abusive grandparents were inspired by the experiences of friends of mine. I wanted to call to attention the kind of subtler emotional abuse that doesn't get enough attention or recognition. How it can hurt just as much and be just as powerful and equally difficult since there's not as much outward signs. His broken self image as a result of their abuse becomes a big issue as the story goes on. One of his challenges is to learn to like himself. The biggest and most worrying part of it is that he doesn't dwell or brood on it, he really just sort of accepts it as normal and doesn't think there's anything wrong with him hating himself.
(at one point in the story when he almost loses a sibling , he almost shuts down and gives up, deciding he has no purpose other than to be around for someone else's sake.)
I wrote it so that it's not stated "[name] is depressed and hates himself", but it can be seen in his actions and what he thinks and does.
Re: THANK YOU OP
Clever! And showing, not telling, which is often good. Though in story creation, sometimes the strongest scenes can come from not strictly following rules (e.g. a scene based around a character realising that they are depressed).
Re: THANK YOU OP
I want to avoid brooding, I made him self aware in some respects about himself (sometimes bordering on being overcritical) and basically just writing him like "what would a person with these issues DO? how would they react?"
Showing through actions can be more powerful than words, IMO. I just want to write a character with self hate issues that's genuine, and not a typical brooder.
Re: THANK YOU OP
Re: THANK YOU OP