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thoughts on avoiding character stupidity
Feb. 19th, 2008 08:53 amI'm at a point where I've got to get my MC to go to the enemy. I know it has to be done, but I'm kind of stuck on how, so I'm thinking out loud here, and reflecting on things that have worked in books I've read.
If the MC goes to the enemy because he is giving up, then the MC deserves what he gets.
If the MC goes to the enemy because he doesn't realize what the danger is, he is Too Stupid to Live.
If the MC knows exactly what the danger is, but has another, more compelling reason to go anyway, and, knowing the possible consequences, chooses to go to the enemy, then we have a satisfying character. Like Jena in Wildwood Dancing or Harry in Deathly Hallows, their actions are both heroic and tragic because of the choice they're forced to make.
That's what I've got to do. I've got some good reasons, but they haven't crystallized yet. It's got to be a choice with a legitimate reason to choose either way. Black and white choices don't test characters (or people in general) nearly as much as the choice between two grays. That's when you either use wisdom you've got, or get some along the way.
Surely some of you have dealt with this along the way. Any pointers? Other examples of it working?
If the MC goes to the enemy because he is giving up, then the MC deserves what he gets.
If the MC goes to the enemy because he doesn't realize what the danger is, he is Too Stupid to Live.
If the MC knows exactly what the danger is, but has another, more compelling reason to go anyway, and, knowing the possible consequences, chooses to go to the enemy, then we have a satisfying character. Like Jena in Wildwood Dancing or Harry in Deathly Hallows, their actions are both heroic and tragic because of the choice they're forced to make.
That's what I've got to do. I've got some good reasons, but they haven't crystallized yet. It's got to be a choice with a legitimate reason to choose either way. Black and white choices don't test characters (or people in general) nearly as much as the choice between two grays. That's when you either use wisdom you've got, or get some along the way.
Surely some of you have dealt with this along the way. Any pointers? Other examples of it working?
