Connecting the pieces of this character's backstory.

First, the cast of my story contains elves.

My protagonist is a Muggle Born of Mages, and eventually grows up to become a member of her nation's elite law enforcement agency.

First, how do I reconcile the part where she gets motivated to become a Badass Normal and the part where she gets regularly picked on by some of her magic wielding classmates?

The fridge logic is that if she can't use magic then she probably won't spend much time with some of the more gifted children.

Okay, so, just to get this straight, you're looking for a reason for her to be targeted by her peers for her lack of remarkable abilities? I'm going to assume so, but correct me if I'm wrong there. How about these: social stigma due to some kind of assumption that "muggles" are genetically disabled (sort of like how autism is thought of), the fact that she's a Bunny-Ears Lawyer in some specific sense but needs lots of hand-holding in the field because she's non-magical, or the fact that being unable to wield fancy powers makes her unable to function in, for instance, a telepathic society where sharing thoughts or emotions is critical to the way that people interact and behave. Imagine the inconvenience of not being on Facebook today, but cubed several times over.

Also, just curious because you mentioned it, what bearing does the elfin aspect have on the plot beyond spicing up the setting?

edited 5th Apr '14 10:20:55 PM by gingerman

It is just but one world in a much larger system of worlds.

edited 6th Apr '14 10:06:45 AM by Worlder

When reading this, it sounded much more like you were looking for a way to connect the protagonist's non-magical background to becoming part of law enforcement, though some of gingerman's ideas are quite crucial too. If she is shunned for being non-magical (you could even come up with a derogatory term for her being a muggle) then her acceptance into the law enforcement must be based on some other unique and useful talent to make her a useful asset. Carrying on the idea of a telepathic community, a good example could be that she is rendered impervious to most or all mental attacks which may cripple other officers, meaning she is signed on as a specialist when this is discovered.

edited 7th Apr '14 2:01:04 PM by Gilliam414

Hmm, resistance to curses, hexes, and charms. I'll keep that in mind.

So should I include flashbacks set during some self-defense class for magic users?

Just an excuse to show how she begins to develop some of her techniques.

So, in a nutshell, localised Anti-Magic? I'm glad to hear that you're talking about her developing special techniques for implementing the counter-curse effects. That would nicely avert the usually passive nature of such abilities in fiction.

You could utilize flashbacks, if she's a particularly introspective or thoughtful character, or if she's more social, you could have her explain her past through a journal or even as she converses with another character that's interested in her personal story. These alternate methods would have the advantage of being more concise, I for one know that it's easy to get bogged down in a detailed flashback. If you want to add meat though, definitely go with flashbacks.

And while it occurs to me, as a continuation of Gilliam's comment, how about arranging things so the resentment and discrimination she faces comes as a result of being fast-tracked into an otherwise exclusive law enforcement division due to, as stated before, her unique and useful talent? You could just add to that the inconvenience of being non-magical to round off her generally troubled existence.

edited 7th Apr '14 5:06:42 AM by gingerman

Hmm, I'm quite intrigued by ginger's suggestion of her being shunned coming from her unique talent- I'm personally picturing one or two slightly older "bullies" who used to just look down on her for being a failure, but then this flashback could be to them setting a malicious prank to expose her to the local people, who respond (when riled up by the bullies) with fear and disgust. Shortly after she is approached by the law enforcement, who offer to sign her on and give her some protection.

This in particular reminds me of a character in a story I part-wrote, who had a similar story (albeit much worse) who responded with inconsolable rage towards any use of the word "freak" even if not directed at him

Personally, I'd take the approach of looking at how people in your character's community would respond to a non-magical girl (I'm guessing at her being 18+ but not much older at this time) being accepted into the ranks of those meant to protect them, especially if they were to know about her potentially dangerous and difficult to control talents. Would you understand if you thought it could put you or those you live at risk? And more importantly, would they?

Ok just clarify a few things.

My character doesn't pose an immediate threat to anyone. She isn't suppose to be like Rogue (or mutants in general) from the X-Men.

Now remember I said Muggle Born of Mages. Her parents are skilled magic users, their two lines are full of mages; big and small, famous and obscure. The problem is that she can't carry on the family legacy. She has to take shit from some of her peers, and her parents have to deal with certain people trying use their daughter to disgrace them.

I am now considering perhaps she see once witnessed some traveling performers of martial arts put on a show. Amazed at such feats performed without the use of magic, she probably took it upon herself to learn martial arts.

So... she's Rock Lee?

Too soon, Nadir.

In a way yes. Also she is kind of like Batman (and Deathstroke).