General Writer's Block thread

Oh, I have another character that I hated and was sure was evil in some way turn into a major character, too- Viktor Kunstler, a Russian albino who, in his first appearance two years ago, embodied some of the worst Russian stereotypes imaginable in addition to being a Jerkass.

Now, he has taken a totally different direction and is now a Cool Old Guy Gentleman Snarker. And he's currently in Mc Coy's position in my Power Trio of protagonists. I love him now.

Sounds good to me.

Although I do have to ask. What kind of direction do you want to take this guy? I don't find it hard to imagine a shy quiet kid going off the deep end like Light.

Perhaps he's a Papa Bear in disguise? If someone he cares about is threatened, he'll do anything to protect them, etc. And then things could spiral out from there.

Why did you hate him in the first place, exactly?

: My character already seemed to have suffer some trauma before the beginning of the story, so the Death Note triggers his fall into insanity that eventally causes him to snap in a way that makes him worst than Light.

The problem with the Papa Bear direction is that he doesn't really care for someone strongely. He looks after his bi-polar father, he looks up to his mother, he likes his kleptomanic sister, amd his cousin is his best friend, but he isn't a Big Brother at all, more like a loner.

I think he would have a hidden complex: he want to change the world, but he feels he can't until he finds the Death Note.

I think there are some parrels to Shiji Ikari, along with Light Yagami.

Shinji with a Death Note? I like the idea.

Although I suppose a large part of Shinji's character is wanting to please his father and the people around him. Dunno if that fits well with your apathetic character.

edited 18th Mar '11 9:06:49 AM by melloncollie

Light with an Eva sounds more interesting.

I don't think Gendo would let him go off stomping criminals with it.

Now I'm imagining Mikami with an Eva...

...I think Angels would cause less destruction than mr. Delete.

edited 18th Mar '11 9:15:10 AM by risingdreamer

...

Why am I liking this idea so much?

-goes to start an outline-

Let me know if it gets anywhere

I think Light vs. Gendou would eventually become a ridiculously convoluted (but awesome) Thirty Xanatos Pile Up.

Yeah, that would be the idea. Although I'm starting to take it towards "Gendo gets a Death Note, Light realizes NERV exists. Hilarity Ensues."

I just died right now XD. Best. Idea. EVAR.

It looks like my idea derailed the thread.

Oh, and Justin has an older brother to, but he's locked up...I plan Justin killing his brother being the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Me? All I could come up with for him in his first appearance in my writer's test room RP of sorts was... horrible Russian stereotypes. Then again, I was also thirteen when that happened. I hated him after that and he faded into obscurity, but then as I matured and did research, he turned into a much better character who can be taken seriously. That's my ultimate goal for every character- can they be taken seriously when it's necessary?

Hey, guys. I seem to be searching for a collaborative writer. You see, here's the thing: I love writing characters. Immensely. But I totally hate writing plot. Sure, I can do episodic, self-contained plot, but I can't figure out how to work a continuous, arc-based plot-line at all. How do you guys do it?

You could try character-driven stories? Like, think of how you want your characters to develop, and then think of events that would be conducive to that development.

Otherwise I don't know how to help you. I've got too much stuff going on atm so I can't commit ^__^;

I like the idea of this thread. It attraches more people to your idea.

Self contained stories are not bad. I think a Myth Arc is not necessarily a make or break deal, you know?

I have a female character who is one of the strongest fighters, is clever, but she turns to jelly when you threaten someone she cares about. Also, she is rather manipulative and has been cockteasing her best friend for seven years. She is insecure about the fact that men tend to overlook her nasty streaks in favor of trying to get her in bed and is afraid that the only one who truly loves her is the same guy that held her loved ones hostage to marry her, even though her best friend is willing to take their relationship to another level and she is actively ignoring this. She doesn't like him very much.

Does she sound too easy for readers to hate?

She sounds kind of like a Faux Action Girl

^ Does that still apply if it is shown that she is competent?

And is there any way to downplay the hostage-weakness without making her look like she doesn't care about anyone?

It all comes down to execution, I guess.

Need a snarky/humorous line for a woman taking down a big thug with a surprise attack in front of a colleague, saving his ass.

MC is the spirit of an Action Girl forced to possess her friend's bodies. Since most of them aren't action girls, it would be better if she were Weak, but Skilled or The Gunslinger, right?