Too many Characters, but no plots- and other problems!

[SillyPoet]

I have to admit, when playing AD&D online, I came up with some fantastic characters. But I don't think I could ever put them all in the same story, unless I did the infamous 'Trilogy' or even a 'Septupogy'!

Why? Because three of them are either Barbarian, or come from Barbarian stock, two are Lycanthropes (one is a cougar, another is a black panther), a psonic, and one has wings! Not your average run-of-the-mill people that would be in a group together, unless you already know their stories.

I want to write a book about each of them, then possibly two more with a few picked from each lot. However, I have no idea who to write about first, and what kinds of plots to use!

I would also like to know what happens when I character gets away from you and start developing an attitude of her own- and you start not to like her! One of my characters is becoming very uppity and cocky- not something that's easy to write for a main character!

I know I can't just make up a world, but I'm not sure if it's plagerism to tweak what I gleaned from other writers. I love Elizabeth Moon and Mercedes Lackey, and their worlds that are real, but have a lot of magic too.

Any advice?

 

[RcGrant]

Hm. I'm not sure where to start. Firstly, do they have stories worth telling? What I mean by that, is that since you say they are well formed and real to you, surely they have backstories and personalities that would lend themselves to plot?

Secondly, you don't have to start big, so don't worry. Choose a character and start writing. Who cares if you don't have a plot. Plonk them down in a setting and see what happens. Dream big, but practice reality.

Thirdly, and this may sound slightly nuts, but I do wonder about people who don't like their characters. I mean, I like every one of mine, even the bad guys (possible especially the bad guys...) and if I didn't then I wouldn't be writing them in the first place. This isn't to be confused with the 'I want to be their best friend' mindset. If they were real then I doubt I'd be trying to hang out with them. But I do have a fondness for every one of them. I suspect you do too. So let the uppity character out. They probably have interesting things to say. Don't be scared to explore their personality, and probably questionable views. Give yourself the permission.

Finally, I would advise against using someone else's world unless you are writing fanfic (which I truly believe does have its place). Gain insight from their worlds, but write your own. In the long-run you will be better for it.

 

[ctg]

Lycanthropes rule and there's not enough of literary around them. I have had a couple of Irish werebears in CoC and shapeshifters in others (non ADD or DD). Combine them to the ghouls and other undead creatures and you got a good soup.

 

[SillyPoet]

I guess the biggest problem is I made her into a character that is a natural fighter, and very good from ther beginning- at least where I started in the story, which is before her real adventure starts. She is still in training, yet right near the end of it- maybe the last year. She doesn't like the idea of people just obeying rules ('sheep' thinking to her mind), and is a bit cocky with those that try to put her down. She is very sure of herself, and likes being different- and that was before she got the wings via a magical accident.
I did like her- I liked the fact that she didn;t take any nonsense and was sure of herself- but she can also be one-track minded and a bit self-centered- yes she can be a spoiled brat at time, because her family never really had 'hard' times- though she isn't a noble either.

As for the world, I can honestly say I am no good at it! I can churcn out characters with full and interesting backgrounds, but making an entire world? Nope- it just isn't working for me. Of course, I am doing this on my own...is there a 'Make your own world' site I can look at? LOL!

 

[SillyPoet]

When I do get my world together, Lycanthopy will be a big part of it..lol!

 

[chrispenycate]

As for the world, I can honestly say I am no good at it! I can churcn out characters with full and interesting backgrounds, but making an entire world? Nope- it just isn't working for me. Of course, I am doing this on my own...is there a 'Make your own world' site I can look at? LOL!

Do all your different backgrounds mesh together as a harmonious whole? If so, you might already have your world, if a bit fragmented. Obviously, there's a certain risk that, when you've clarified the links between the various histories, it might turn out to be this one.

Personally I'm better at creating worlds than characters, and none of my characters ever do what I'd intended.

But a plot is slightly indispensable, you know. It's really not much use if you've got a great working environment, a consistent and believable magic system and superb characters if there isn't a story in it.

Lackey does excellent magic systems, with clear limits, strengths and weaknesses; you can feel that she knows exactly what it can and can't do, where the energy is sourced from, and what you give in exchange. The opposite of the 'Superman' mage whose only limits are in not destroying the planet.

 

[WafflesToo]

Why are you so worried about your warrior /scrapper archetype not being cuddly-wuddly? The person you most want at your back isn't always gonna be the most pleasant to be around.

Pappy Boyington- VMA-214 "Black sheep" squadron, pacific, WWII (both TV show fictional and IRL was a real prick to be around, one of the more successful squadron commanders of that war).

Jayne Cobb from 'Firefly' (Cocky, self-centered somebich that is almost as irritating to be around as a case of headlice. Came onto the crew originally by betraying his old crew, betrayed his partner 4-or-so years before the episode 'Jaynetown', almost betrayed the crew to the Alliance during the episode 'Arial'.)

Chewbacca from Star Wars ("droids don't pull your arms off when they lose..." need I say more?)

Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist is arrogant, rude, aloof, and suffers "Short-man syndrome".

I'd rather be locked in a 3x3x4' metal cube than be around Derek Wildstar from Starblazers.

Anyway, I suppose that's enought for now. My only advice is to be true to the character, whether they are someone you'd like over for afternoon tea or not. If you don't you will only regret the end product.

 

[Lith]

We used to have a pretty comprehensive list of links to worldbuilding sites around here...

Worldbuilding is very addictive, once you get the hang of it. One of my first fictional worlds started out as a SimCity game, which soon became too confining, and soon I was taping dozens of sheets of graph paper together so I could make room for the spaceport and multi-layered rail system (yes, I'm one of those dorks that plans out neighborhoods and immigration patterns, too). You don't have to build it all from scratch, either- if you're just starting out it's fine to "file the serial numbers" off existing worlds, until you differentiate it enough to call it your own. And hopefully, if you choose to pursue writing steadily, you will soon find that too confining, and have more interesting ideas of your own you want to develop.

As a beginner, you might also want to check this out: The Universal Mary-Sue Litmus Test

(Any number of characters fit a lot of the list, but if you get concerned over whether your character might fit it, then likely she does.)

As for your character being too cocky for the story, you could always make that a bigger part of the story, and give her some comeuppance.

edit: I don't know that I'd want Jayne Cobb at my back. He'd be too likely to betray me, given enough incentive. But generally, yes, you want your warriors to be... warriors.

 

[WafflesToo]

I dunno about that Lith, after 'Arial' I get the impression he's never going to do that again. Not because he was afraid the captain would kill him but because he was so ashamed at what he'd done.

...won't go into further details in case anyone else hasn't witnessed the best TV had to offer during that season.

...go buy the four-disk boxed set. Do it! Do it now!

 

[dustinzgirl]

Not your average run-of-the-mill people that would be in a group together, unless you already know their stories.

That is your trilogy right there.

Go write it.

Also, write the book, wait for Wizards of the Coast to be taking manuscripts, wait a year, and then find out if you sold it or not.

 

[Cheehwawa]

As a beginner, you might also want to check this out: The Universal Mary-Sue Litmus Test

So would 132 be a bad score? x.x

I have a character that one could compare to Odysseus, Heracles, Thor, Gilgamesh and Osiris... so that's kind of a wide personality.

 

[Lith]

132? That's... high.

The bottom of the page has a guide; 50 is considered pretty dire. Out of curiosity, I checked every box, and unchecked a few just to see how high one could go... I'm currently at 656.

Waffles- possibly, but the season was too short to really put it to the test.

 

[dustinzgirl]

I always play a minotaur.

Because they are awesome.

 

[WafflesToo]

Waffles- possibly, but the series was too short to really put it to the test.

Why do you say things you know will make me cry?

Back on topic:
Wow, 132. I'd take a good look at the character(s) and work on thier motivations and how they relate to the rest of thier world. If you use the term "The Best" more than once or twice in the entire group I'd say you have a problem. Since we were *just* discussing it, I'd go and watch a few episodes of the "Firefly" series. Great example of a bunch of flawed characters who (for the most part) are not really exceptional in any major way (though Simon and I suspect Book are two exceptions, Kaylee to a lesser degree). But even those characters are balanced by serious flaws (Simon is socially inept, Kaylee is prone to panic in high-stress situations, Book has moral restrictions and a sketchy past).

A more genre-specific body of work would be JRR Tolkein's 'The Hobbit' (not the Lord of the Rings trilogy, just that one). Bilbo is the most unassuming of fellows and his company are for the most part an interesting bunch of characters (if a bit underdeveloped). That they don't fall all over themselves for one another (and actually turn on one another just prior to the battle of five armies) makes for some interesting character developements.

Some good questions and answers for each character are;
"what do they want?",
"what are they willing to do to get it?"
"who are thier freinds? and why?"
"who are thier enemies? and why?"

Another good tool is the "relationship map". At it's most basic, it is all of the characters and thier connections by 'blood', 'murder', and 'sex'. Additional connections can be made ('money' is a good one) but those three it has been argued are the strongest.

 

[Cheehwawa]

132? That's... high.

The bottom of the page has a guide; 50 is considered pretty dire. Out of curiosity, I checked every box, and unchecked a few just to see how high one could go... I'm currently at 656.

It doesn't seem like any of the scores are good, haha.

 

[Aes]

Thirdly, and this may sound slightly nuts, but I do wonder about people who don't like their characters. I mean, I like every one of mine, even the bad guys (possible especially the bad guys...) and if I didn't then I wouldn't be writing them in the first place.

This, right here. In several different settings, I've seen/heard people say how they hate their characters, and I really don't understand it. I have like 10-15 characters (and more to come as it develops) in my story/world/whatever, and I find each one unique and interesting in their own way. Maybe you don't hate the character herself, but rather, the fact that she doesn't have any apparent weaknesses. You described her as cocky, tough, an adept fighter, a nonconformist thinker, etc, but what are her flaws? I find that godmode characters are generally boring to write for, so maybe that's where your dislike stems from. It's worth considering, anyway

 

[WafflesToo]

Thirdly, and this may sound slightly nuts, but I do wonder about people who don't like their characters...

Westly Crusher