Day 8 – Do you write OCs? And if so, what do you do to make certain they’re not Mary Sues, and if not, explain your thoughts on OCs.
Finally a question that really really relates to me instead of me going "Not really", lol!
Ahem. Yes, yes I do. ;)
Well, I don't honestly know how successful I am in making my OCs not Mary Sues. I've had enough feedback about Beth over the years from many people who have said she's not one, so although that doesn't mean that there aren't people who DO think she is one and they're just not telling me, it at least means that there are enough people who think she's NOT and tell me so. :)
Other than Beth, my OCs are primarily either secondary characters (like Henny, Beth's family, etc) or else they're borderline Mary Sues. I never had any OCs at all for "Xena", but I mentioned that my X-Men character was a pretty blatant Sue for years and years. And even now, I've tweaked the heck out of her, but she's really still pretty borderline. (I don't actually write fic with her though so she doesn't precisely count.) The other borderline Sue is my "Ranma 1/2" persona, and she's really as I said, a persona. That's what makes her borderline - her name is Rebecca and she has a lot of my characteristics, exaggerated for comedy.
So. My methods of not making Sues is to give the characters as many reasonable flaws as I can. Then I cross my fingers and hope that I've made them into believable characters, with enough bad points to cross out the good points but not so many that they are hard to like... For instance:
-"Rebecca" the Ranma 1/2 persona is based on me, has my name, bears a physical resemblance to me, and is paired with Ryouga Hibiki. However, to counter all this I set the tone of the series (it's a "spin-off", remember) as very farcical, in the same vein as "Ranma" or even more so, as Rumiko Takahashi's earlier series "Urusei Yatsura". Rebecca is cheerful and exuberant and a lot of people like her, but that's partly because they only see the cheerful and exuberant part of her; in fact she's also very pushy, has a bad temper, and is really selfish. In a comical way, that's the thing that's hard to explain. She's very childlike; she loves other people and being with her friends, but she expects things to be a certain way, and when they are not, she can get indignant or even angry. The only person to see this most of the time is Ryouga, who consequently spends most of the series trying to get away from her. But she's in love with him, and decided after meeting him that they're going to be married, so dammit, THEY ARE GOING TO BE MARRIED. XD And becausee everyone likes Rebecca so much, he feels like he'll get the blame if he actually dumps her, so he puts up with her being around in the hopes that eventually she'll get sick of him and leave. XD
-Aquaflame, of the X-Men: she's got a lot of superpowers and initially (when I created her at age 10) she was one of those Mary Sues who I understand is somewhat rarer than the others, who gets injured a lot to get attention. (I had NO CONTACT with any other fans at the time so it amused me to find out that this is actually A Thing. XD) She's developed a lot in the past 20+ years. In efforts to make her a deeper character I gave her anger issues. XD She's very emotionally shut off and expresses a lot of her negative emotions through anger. I actually dont' think I've been successful in making her not a Sue, but I have tried. But yeah I don't use her anyway, so. ;)
With Beth - that's where I've put the most effort. In addition to making her neurotic (lovably so, I hope) and totally normal other than her intellect, I've made HUGE efforts to keep the tone of the series and the characterization of the canons as close as I could to the show. I think that's hard, because to me it involves getting inside their heads, and to do THAT you have to fill in a lot of blanks to make them more rounded as characters. But when I do that, I try to do it in a way that follows what we've seen in the show, rather than revealing secrets or making things darker or just making up stuff that seems like it would be cool. I also try to do it in a way that matches the depth I give to Beth - all the characters should feel like real people, but also like cartoon characters at the same time. I want them all to feel equally believable and equally at home in the same series, and I especially want Beth to fit the tone of "Darkwing Duck" and be someone that you could technically see being in an episode (albeit, a bit simplified).
I think that last goal is a bit lofty and I don't think I quite make it, but it's hard for ANY fanfic to accomplish that with an OC that becomes an addition to the main cast. Honestly I feel successful just if I have characters that people like to read about, whether it feels like an ep or not. :)
Showing posts with label canon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canon. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sex and the Single Girl
I've said it before and I'll just restate it up front: I keep the Webfoot Chronicles firmly PG. I'm not above a few minor hints and innuendos here and there but my rule isnt' even that all hanky-panky happens offscreen; my rule is, there is no hanky-panky. This was a conscious choice I made for myself many years ago, in part because it makes *me* more comfortable in general; *I* have an issue with thinking of the characters in the show in sexual situations.
However, I also decided some years ago that in order to really get to understand Beth - which was important to me - I needed to think out almost every aspect of her life, even the things that would not ever come up. To that end I've pondered a lot of her reactions to various situations - not everything by any means, that's not what I'm saying, only that sometimes I take the time to work out a hypothetical that occurs to me even though I know it won't be an issue in my fics, like religion (she's an atheist/agnostic), politics (conservative moderate but holds few strong opinions), and sex.
I've gone back and forth on posting about this subject, and if you read here regularly you may remember back in the summer when I went through a bit of playing with themes in a non-canon fic... The thing that keeps me from bringing it up, though, is my intention to keep TWC on approximately the same maturity level as the cartoon and not alienate people who feel the same way. It's weird to read stuff that, in terms of writing style is admittedly aimed at older readers (above middle school I'd say) but in terms of content is meant to be "family friendly", then go to a blog talking about the characters in adult-oriented situations. So I've avoided it.
However, I ended up doing that AU I posted about a few days ago, and as I mentioned in there, I crossed over into adult territory. There haven't been a lot of comments on it yet (and likely won't be) but I keep starting to explain the background, the differences, etc, why THIS Beth would make this choice and the other wouldn't, and it gets very long, too long for DeviantART. So I guess I'm finally going to make this post.
But, i'm going to be kind of weird and do the real content in the comments. Since there's no option, from what I can see, to do a text cut like you have in LiveJournal, this is sort of my best option both to save on the length of this post (too late) and to allow any readers who really don't want to know this stuff to just avoid it. For those of you guys, you can just rest assured, this subject matter really, truly will NEVER come up in TWC. I promise. :) ...That doesn't mean I will never again write another AU though. 9_9
However, I also decided some years ago that in order to really get to understand Beth - which was important to me - I needed to think out almost every aspect of her life, even the things that would not ever come up. To that end I've pondered a lot of her reactions to various situations - not everything by any means, that's not what I'm saying, only that sometimes I take the time to work out a hypothetical that occurs to me even though I know it won't be an issue in my fics, like religion (she's an atheist/agnostic), politics (conservative moderate but holds few strong opinions), and sex.
I've gone back and forth on posting about this subject, and if you read here regularly you may remember back in the summer when I went through a bit of playing with themes in a non-canon fic... The thing that keeps me from bringing it up, though, is my intention to keep TWC on approximately the same maturity level as the cartoon and not alienate people who feel the same way. It's weird to read stuff that, in terms of writing style is admittedly aimed at older readers (above middle school I'd say) but in terms of content is meant to be "family friendly", then go to a blog talking about the characters in adult-oriented situations. So I've avoided it.
However, I ended up doing that AU I posted about a few days ago, and as I mentioned in there, I crossed over into adult territory. There haven't been a lot of comments on it yet (and likely won't be) but I keep starting to explain the background, the differences, etc, why THIS Beth would make this choice and the other wouldn't, and it gets very long, too long for DeviantART. So I guess I'm finally going to make this post.
But, i'm going to be kind of weird and do the real content in the comments. Since there's no option, from what I can see, to do a text cut like you have in LiveJournal, this is sort of my best option both to save on the length of this post (too late) and to allow any readers who really don't want to know this stuff to just avoid it. For those of you guys, you can just rest assured, this subject matter really, truly will NEVER come up in TWC. I promise. :) ...That doesn't mean I will never again write another AU though. 9_9
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Character Post: Launchpad, Take 2
I'm busy workin' away on chapter 2 of TWC3 and there's been a lot of introspection on Launchpad's part. (I'd go into why but it's all spoilery and since this fic is coming out in the NEAR future, instead of the DISTANT kind, I figured I'd just let folks wait; I will say though that, y'know, I'm going somewhere with him in this fic.) Anyway, that got me thinking again about how I write him and how that's evolved. I actually have started writing him a bit differently since I wrote my last characterization post - back in 2007 now, I think that was. (GOD that's just sick and wrong. I'M OLD.)
Digression: I am seriously freezing right now and I have no idea why. Stupid office! Okay, digression over, now to the meat of the post.
In my last post I mentioned how I thought I was weakest at writing Launchpad, out of the three main characters of the show. I guess that might've changed by now; I've been putting a real effort into developing his character, some of which shows up in the rewrites and some of which in the "New" fics. (We won't talk about the stuff in between.) But the character is not a precise reflection of who he is in the show. It's not a huge departure either, it's just that - in my opinion - Launchpad on the show is not prone to introspection.
Well, ya can't write that way in fanfic, kids! Or well I guess you can, 'cause I used to, but it's not easy to read. :P
I've been trying to find a "blend" on LP... someone who is familiar and appealing to fans of the show, who doesn't seem blatantly smarter/angrier/darker/cooler/whatever than he was, but who is still deeper than DWD series often portrayed him and who is a bit more prone to action than "just the sidekick".
The action part is something i want to do within the realms of the series, actually. LP was often just in the background but not always; he had his moments. I want to do that, have him be supporting action without overtaking Darkwing, but have them more frequently.
The added depth is something I'm maybe trying to explain a little in this way: in my take on the series, Launchpad has kind of been in a bit of a holding pattern for a while without realizing it. He's been happy doing what he's doing, ie, sidekicking and helping out with Gos, etc. It's been fun, he hasn't thought much about anything else, and he's now starting to think about things and realize that he's been neglecting his own life a bit. Hence, the introspection; I thought maybe it could play as just something he was avoiding for a while.
In terms of characterization - the "blend" - I dont' want him to be more serious. I love goofy LP! I like to write him as a generally easy-to-please guy who doesn't overthink anything, often thinks about his stomach first, and likes to see people happy. He's prone to saying things that are slightly off-the-wall, and can be easily confused or overwhelmed at times. I hope it comes across as LAUNCHPAD, just maybe in a little more detail than a half-hour cartoon series, and not as me trying to beef up my fave character and make him the way *I* think he should be. Well, everyone does that, I guess (though LP's not actually my favourite character, but he used to be); like I siad though, I hope he's familiar to fans of the show and I certainly hope he's appealing. ^_^
Digression: I am seriously freezing right now and I have no idea why. Stupid office! Okay, digression over, now to the meat of the post.
In my last post I mentioned how I thought I was weakest at writing Launchpad, out of the three main characters of the show. I guess that might've changed by now; I've been putting a real effort into developing his character, some of which shows up in the rewrites and some of which in the "New" fics. (We won't talk about the stuff in between.) But the character is not a precise reflection of who he is in the show. It's not a huge departure either, it's just that - in my opinion - Launchpad on the show is not prone to introspection.
Well, ya can't write that way in fanfic, kids! Or well I guess you can, 'cause I used to, but it's not easy to read. :P
I've been trying to find a "blend" on LP... someone who is familiar and appealing to fans of the show, who doesn't seem blatantly smarter/angrier/darker/cooler/whatever than he was, but who is still deeper than DWD series often portrayed him and who is a bit more prone to action than "just the sidekick".
The action part is something i want to do within the realms of the series, actually. LP was often just in the background but not always; he had his moments. I want to do that, have him be supporting action without overtaking Darkwing, but have them more frequently.
The added depth is something I'm maybe trying to explain a little in this way: in my take on the series, Launchpad has kind of been in a bit of a holding pattern for a while without realizing it. He's been happy doing what he's doing, ie, sidekicking and helping out with Gos, etc. It's been fun, he hasn't thought much about anything else, and he's now starting to think about things and realize that he's been neglecting his own life a bit. Hence, the introspection; I thought maybe it could play as just something he was avoiding for a while.
In terms of characterization - the "blend" - I dont' want him to be more serious. I love goofy LP! I like to write him as a generally easy-to-please guy who doesn't overthink anything, often thinks about his stomach first, and likes to see people happy. He's prone to saying things that are slightly off-the-wall, and can be easily confused or overwhelmed at times. I hope it comes across as LAUNCHPAD, just maybe in a little more detail than a half-hour cartoon series, and not as me trying to beef up my fave character and make him the way *I* think he should be. Well, everyone does that, I guess (though LP's not actually my favourite character, but he used to be); like I siad though, I hope he's familiar to fans of the show and I certainly hope he's appealing. ^_^
Friday, January 7, 2011
Werewolf Bar Mitzvah! Spooky, scary!
Just for the record, nearly all of my subject lines are completely unrelated to the posts. In case there was any confusion. ;) They're also usually from movies, TV, or occasionally music.
Meanwhile! In reading the DWD comic, and in seeing a few people whose fic synopses or other fan works incorporate the new comic canon into their verse, it occurred to me that I have absolutely no way to incorporate that into my AU. I'm not even going to try. That's largely because it's an ongoing thing and it has some amount of continuity, and I don't really want to totally adapt (again!) my reality to fit into the new stuff and then have it be invalidated anyway... heck, I think there's a good chance my series *will* be invalidated which is part of why I only consider the comic canon to be semi-official.
Because I am a canon freak and I will always try my best to fit things into existing canon until I reach a point where that totally cannot happen and then I spinoff entirely. Heh. ^_^;;
SO, back on track! I can't fit my AU into the comic verse and in a way I feel like I'm missing out on that. So I just spent a little time wondering what Beth might be like in the canon of the comics, at least during the first Quackwerks arc. I don't have a whole lot of info but I bet she'd be working there quite happily, doing more than she gets paid to do but pleased that she doesn't have to interact with many people. At first I thought she'd be in accounting but then I thought "they probably have a hardware division, right?" But then on third thought I was thinking she'd be in the labs division. I think it would be cute to finally see her in a lab coat, using her degree at least a little bit.
I have no idea what would "happen" beyond this. I have an inkling that she somehow ran into Drake while they were both working there and got a crush on him, and manages to find him every so often during coffee breaks; once Darkwing Duck comes back and Drake leaves, I'm not sure if Beth would stay or if she'd move on (she'd probably stay unless something *made* her go), but she might run into Drake and Co. on the street or something. At which point, if Morgana was there, she'd be a teensy bit crushed.
...I got nothing beyond that. :P
I have been playing with the idea of doing a few little comics with this idea though. :D God knows if I could pull them off; I don't draw expressions all that well on Drake's face. I guess that means I need to practice more.
Meanwhile! In reading the DWD comic, and in seeing a few people whose fic synopses or other fan works incorporate the new comic canon into their verse, it occurred to me that I have absolutely no way to incorporate that into my AU. I'm not even going to try. That's largely because it's an ongoing thing and it has some amount of continuity, and I don't really want to totally adapt (again!) my reality to fit into the new stuff and then have it be invalidated anyway... heck, I think there's a good chance my series *will* be invalidated which is part of why I only consider the comic canon to be semi-official.
Because I am a canon freak and I will always try my best to fit things into existing canon until I reach a point where that totally cannot happen and then I spinoff entirely. Heh. ^_^;;
SO, back on track! I can't fit my AU into the comic verse and in a way I feel like I'm missing out on that. So I just spent a little time wondering what Beth might be like in the canon of the comics, at least during the first Quackwerks arc. I don't have a whole lot of info but I bet she'd be working there quite happily, doing more than she gets paid to do but pleased that she doesn't have to interact with many people. At first I thought she'd be in accounting but then I thought "they probably have a hardware division, right?" But then on third thought I was thinking she'd be in the labs division. I think it would be cute to finally see her in a lab coat, using her degree at least a little bit.
I have no idea what would "happen" beyond this. I have an inkling that she somehow ran into Drake while they were both working there and got a crush on him, and manages to find him every so often during coffee breaks; once Darkwing Duck comes back and Drake leaves, I'm not sure if Beth would stay or if she'd move on (she'd probably stay unless something *made* her go), but she might run into Drake and Co. on the street or something. At which point, if Morgana was there, she'd be a teensy bit crushed.
...I got nothing beyond that. :P
I have been playing with the idea of doing a few little comics with this idea though. :D God knows if I could pull them off; I don't draw expressions all that well on Drake's face. I guess that means I need to practice more.
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