38
submitted 6 days ago by ashinadash@hexbear.net to c/chat@hexbear.net

Bonus points if the author first mentions a specific trait, physical build, or whatever else halfway through the novel and totally fucks up my mental image.

I don't expect a biology model description for each character, but write me something brief and evocative of how they should look, you fucking dork author. I don't even know how tall she should be, her hair colour, anything. Why are you like this, author?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] ashinadash@hexbear.net 7 points 6 days ago

Many books also lack detail in dress and idiosyncracy terms =)

Uh does that really work though? Do people actually "he just like me fr fr denji-just-like-me " and project for the whole runtime? Is self-insert protagonist a big thing in written fiction??

[-] Weyland@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 6 days ago
[-] ashinadash@hexbear.net 4 points 6 days ago

friend-visitor-3

I cannot imagine this being real...

Well, obviously, it's because the writers intend the audience to find him easy to relate to.

I've always thought this blank-slate approach was really pointless, because whatever traits you give your blank slate will alienate someone in the audience. Kind of like a statement "YOU MUST BE THIS CISGENDER, HETEROSEXUAL, WHITE AND NEUROTYPICAL TO RIDE", you know? I also just cannot imagine trying to project myself over what is ostensibly a character with in universe autonomy though...

[-] Weyland@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 6 days ago

It's not necessarily the main reason, but it's a reason. Tons of stories, I'd even argue that it's most, don't even venture into someone's sexuality, race and neurotypicality. Readers generally don't care, as long as it isn't shoehorned in just for the sake of ticking boxes because you want to have a vibrant cast.

All these characteristics bring their own baggage with them, and thus conflict. If you're focusing on a story about a parent choosing to move on from losing their partner and having to remarry to make ends meet, sacrifice their own desire for love for the well-being and future prospects of their children, just as an example for conflict. Then giving the character autism, or an ethnicity that's being discriminated against in that society, or any other characteristics; then it might take away from, diminish or even undermine the story you want to tell.

In longer stories you can have different character arcs that allow for more nuanced characters and sub-plots. Weaving all of that together in a cohesive whole is a skill not many writers possess. Heck, if you've ever frequented fiction aggregate websites you'd know that the top user created lists are collections of stories that lack any and all romance.

[-] Evilsandwichman@hexbear.net 4 points 6 days ago

Do people actually "he just like me fr fr " and project for the whole runtime? Is self-insert protagonist a big thing in written fiction??

I used to think this was utterly lame when I was younger, then I began to notice not many of the characters I read had particularly strong personalities. I much prefer characters I can't see myself in because just like in real life you'll have people who are majorly different to you especially in motive.

[-] ashinadash@hexbear.net 5 points 6 days ago

Kinda depends on your definition of "see yourself in", but yeah I get a lot of mileage out of being in the headspace of different characters narratively niko-happy

this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2024
38 points (100.0% liked)

chat

8035 readers
574 users here now

Chat is a text only community for casual conversation, please keep shitposting to the absolute minimum. This is intended to be a separate space from c/chapotraphouse or the daily megathread. Chat does this by being a long-form community where topics will remain from day to day unlike the megathread, and it is distinct from c/chapotraphouse in that we ask you to engage in this community in a genuine way. Please keep shitposting, bits, and irony to a minimum.

As with all communities posts need to abide by the code of conduct, additionally moderators will remove any posts or comments deemed to be inappropriate.

Thank you and happy chatting!

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS