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What Age Should my characters be?

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TheLightningKnight Since: Jul, 2011
#1: Feb 26th 2012 at 2:42:49 PM

Okay, I'm writing a superhero cartoon; and was just wondering how old they should be? I want them to be old enough to have (serious) crushes and relationships, but young enough to not have to worry about college yet. I'm thinking 14-15?

PancakeMckennz Rainbows hurt. from Michigan Since: Jul, 2011
Rainbows hurt.
#2: Feb 26th 2012 at 2:43:46 PM

Perfect age. smile

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nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#3: Feb 26th 2012 at 4:06:27 PM

Depending on how you define "serious relationships", I think they very well might not be possible for teenagers. And I personally hate teenage protagonists.

But as far as your requirements go, 15 or 16 sounds about right, leaning towards the former.

Leradny Since: Jan, 2001
#4: Feb 26th 2012 at 6:43:43 PM

serious relationships

By the time they're finished with a serious relationship lasting two years or more, they may well be out of high school anyway.

Why won't you let them worry about college when superheroes generally protect an entire city?

MajorTom Eye'm the cutest! Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Eye'm the cutest!
#5: Feb 26th 2012 at 6:52:45 PM

Why won't you let them worry about college when superheroes generally protect an entire city?

Because thinking about college in a very teen angst or drama kind of way is so horribly cliche. Come to think of it, a teen character thinking about college at all in a work has become horribly cliche.

edited 26th Feb '12 6:53:16 PM by MajorTom

"Allah may guide their bullets, but Jesus helps those who aim down the sights."
Leradny Since: Jan, 2001
#6: Feb 26th 2012 at 7:06:17 PM

Name one work that has high-school aged characters worrying about college while they try to save the world at all.

edited 26th Feb '12 7:06:55 PM by Leradny

CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#7: Feb 26th 2012 at 7:12:34 PM

Really, Tom? Out of all of the works I've heard of that feature teenage or high school-age characters, fantastical or not, college never seems to come up, even in a social aspect.

In fact, I almost thought you were joking when I read that. . _ .;

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Culex3 They think me mad Since: Jan, 2012
They think me mad
#8: Feb 26th 2012 at 7:22:45 PM

Whatever age you think you can get into the characters' heads enough to make them believably sound that age with their own voices and believable emotional responses.

You don't really need to show them actively worrying about college or school in general really more than necessary anyway.

to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee
Night The future of warfare in UC. from Jaburo Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
The future of warfare in UC.
#9: Feb 26th 2012 at 8:39:48 PM

Yeah, I'm drawing a total blank on the college thing. The only work that I can recall which ever had teens going from high school to college was Buffy, and it didn't deal deep.

It was an undercurrent in some kinds of Japanese work, reflecting the time, but that was about twelve years ago and they didn't work with it really either, just acknowledge it.

Nous restons ici.
Kaxen Since: Jan, 2010
#10: Feb 26th 2012 at 9:40:10 PM

The only story where teens worrying about college even factors into the story that I know off the back of my head is A Cinderella Story.

>_> I didn't have a serious relationship until college... One of the times I was asked out in high school was an ill-fated ploy to make one of my friends jealous and me and the boy didn't even go on a date... or talk to each other after he asked except to break up. I only said yes because I wasn't sure how to say no. >_<

I'd say 15 at least. I think 16 because then they're able to drive and more likely go on dates alone instead of needing to get a ride off of someone and, depending on their nosy-ness, get grilled on the new beau the whole drive (unless they all live in a city where everything is walking distance or has nice public transportation. My city sucks for walking around). 14 seems kind of young. I don't recall my friends being particularly mature about romantic love and my sister who is 15 is not currently dating, but the way she talks about what she dreams for a perfect boyfriend... she mainly only cares if he's hot.

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#11: Feb 26th 2012 at 9:42:23 PM

I read a couple of novels where college was apart of the main goal (one book was the protagonist re-earning her college savings and another was simply getting into a good college), but the narrators in those books were eighteen. I hadn't really read any YA novels where younger characters were concerned about college.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#12: Feb 26th 2012 at 9:45:22 PM

I didn't have a serious relationship until college... One of the times I was asked out in high school was an ill-fated ploy to make one of my friends jealous and me and the boy didn't even go on a date... or talk to each other after he asked except to break up. I only said yes because I wasn't sure how to say no.

...So if you never went out or even talked to each other, what was there to break up?

But seriously, although again it depends on your definition of "serious", I agree: teenagers aren't really capable of having serious romantic relationships.

edited 26th Feb '12 9:45:41 PM by nrjxll

Kaxen Since: Jan, 2010
#13: Feb 26th 2012 at 10:10:12 PM

I don't really know? O_o But we did and I was later made privy to his idiot idea and disliked him a bit more than my ambivalence towards him after that.

Takwin Polite smartass. from R'lyeh Since: Feb, 2010
Polite smartass.
#14: Feb 28th 2012 at 10:47:56 AM

It all depends on how you define "serious relationships." Kids who meet and pair off as young teens aren't likely to get married or 'be together forever', but being young it's pretty common for them to feel this way. It doesn't matter how signifigant their relationship is in the grand scheme of things: as long as those involved treat it seriously, it should be fine.

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Akagikiba Surfing the forums from Midwest Since: Feb, 2012
Surfing the forums
#15: Feb 28th 2012 at 12:37:57 PM

I'd make them one or two years older. From what I gather, kids don't start worrying about college into their last year of high school.

MajorTom Eye'm the cutest! Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Eye'm the cutest!
#16: Feb 28th 2012 at 5:47:26 PM

Out of all of the works I've heard of that feature teenage or high school-age characters, fantastical or not, college never seems to come up, even in a social aspect.

Beware The Gonzo, every single high school sports movie like Remember The Titans, High School Musical to name a few.

"Allah may guide their bullets, but Jesus helps those who aim down the sights."
breadloaf Since: Oct, 2010
#17: Feb 28th 2012 at 8:05:04 PM

Well to be fair to the OP, superhero cartoons of the teenage age range do not worry about college.

Personally I would say 15-16, since 14 is just entering high school.

Manateehugs Glimmeroniron from Beaverton Oregon Since: Mar, 2012
Glimmeroniron
#18: Mar 28th 2012 at 5:07:03 PM

I think 15 to 16 would be good for a lighthearted story with super heros. I feel like a 15 to 16 year old could have a serious relationship depending on their what their life has been like and what their other relations are like, family and friends. Best wishes for the writing, have fun.

Hayley ^_^

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