Rule of Cool VS Being Realistic

Everything I searched pulled up specific conversations about this, but there wasn't a general one from what I saw. Regardless, sorry if this topic has already been done.

In stories, there are times when you need to set definite line as to what the people in the story can do, or else risk losing all suspense (unless you're in a series about giant robots and drills). Then there are times where your characters are in such a situation where they need to (at least seem) that they're over stepping reality's limits and overcome what should be really, stupidly hard (even impossible). So my questions to you writers are:

• When do you apply realism and when do you apply awesome?
• Which is more important?
• When switching mood, how do you switch?

Me, personally, I try to stick with realistic for the most part until morals are at stake. When a character rightfully stands for what's correct, the universe just tends to align in such way that s/he becomes incredibly skilled/invincible/even lucky. Reality, however, takes importance since otherwise there wouldn't be nearly as much room for the heroics. And the switch only happens at the height of need or victory (hero becomes stronger when all has gone to hell, or the hero gets struck down when the audience otherwise assumes that the hero is invincible). Basically, rule of cool comes in to swing a story back to balanced in the most awesome way possible.

It's not like the two are diametrically opposed. See Awesome Yet Practical. You can make characters be awesome by being smart about doing the most with what they are given to work with, not having the universe hold their hand because they are in the right even at the critical moment.

And awesome isn't just explosions and fighting, it is lots of things in the context of the work. Standing up for oneself or others, making a personal change, outwitting somebody, even just fixing a problem can be awesome and don't require the use of pyrotechnics or violence.

Hmm... I supposed I worded that question wrong. Perhaps more of when the plot should be working for or against the protagonist?

If you want to make it cool, keep it consistent with the universe you set up. If you want to keep it realistic, find ways to make the ordinary extraordinary.

The plot should be working against the protagonist from the end of the introduction/start of the actual plot all the way through the climax. It should work for the protagonist in the denouement, unless you want a sequel hook or a downer ending, in which case it should continue to work against him all the way through.

edited 28th Feb '11 11:44:40 AM by Wanderhome