Thursday 22 August 2013

Skilled Characters

Should characters be perfect? Skilled in everything, flawless, all-knowing, and all-powerful?

Of course not. Or at least–not most of the time. 'Perfect' (or seemingly perfect) can have their places sometimes.

But should characters be the opposite? Having no virtues, no skills, no learning, and no motivation?

I would give the same answer as to the above question. No–or at least rarely.

I'm not arguing for either extreme here. I'm not saying your characters shouldn't be flawed at all.

But I admire characters that have motivation. That have a particular skill. That have taken the time to learn to do something–and do it well.

I've recently read two books of the Staff and Sword series–A Cast of Stones and A Hero's Lot. The main character, Errol Stone, isn't perfect. Far from it. But he has a skill–or possibly more than one. You'll have to read the book to find out. ;)

Characters don't have to have a skill at the start of a book. Errol doesn't–or at least not one that he knows about. But he grows. He dedicates the time to becoming the best in what he does.

Do we want people to spend the time developing skills in real life? Then 'allow' your characters to. What you want to see happening in the world around you, model in the lives and worlds of your characters.

As a novelist, I'm not in the business of showing the world as it is. I'm in the business of changing the world into what it could be. -- Jake of the Sadaar (source)

Give your characters a skill. Your readers will thank you for it.

-Jag Swiftstorm

Villain Tag

I hath been tagged by Lady Ryebrynn Lyla Shveer Crossblade from Ryebrynn's Random Ramblings.

(1.) Who is your favorite (or main) villain of the book/series you are writing, and how would you describe his/her character?
Thrackray, from The Rise of the Shadow. That's not my current project, but I don't know who the main villain from that is (yet). Thrackray is cold and distant–and vengeful. He wants revenge and power.

(2.) What special powers (if any) does this villain have?
Thrackray is a shape-shifter–a Klonratorn. He also has the ability to use Terean powers (like Ta'eyrie and Trantorian).

(3.) What was your inspiration for the character?
I don't think he's inspired by anything–if I had to choose somebody, it would probably be Devin from Dragons in our Midst.

(4.) Of all the villains in your book/series, what distinguishes this villain from the others?
Thrackray hasn't always been a villain–once he was a good guy. And he may yet rise...

(5.) Even though this character is on the side of evil, what trait does this villain posses that you admire?
Thrackray is skilled at what he does. He has worked hard to acquire skills.

(6.) What lessons can be learnt from the character’s story? 
Don't get led astray by lies. Lies may seem like truth, but in the end, they are lies all the same.

(7.) If you had the opportunity to meet your villain, would you do so? 
I'd probably accept. I don't think Thrackray would kill me–unless he knew what I plan to do to him. So, uh ... maybe I wouldn't want to meet him.

-Jag Swiftstorm

Monday 5 August 2013

Double Tag

I got tagged by both Ryebrynn at Ryebrynn's Random Ramblings and Bonnie at Bonnie's Blessings.

From Bonnie:

1. If the main villain of your favorite book/movie/TV series showed up on your front doorstep, what would you do? (Explain who it is first...)

Since I get to do this twice, it makes my job a bit easier . . . the first person I'm choosing is Devin, from Dragons in our Midst, Oracles of Fire, and Children of the Bard.

I don't think Devin would care that much to kill me . . . he's a dragon slayer, not a human slayer.

2. Now supposing the heroes opposite this villain showed up just after your exchange. What would you do then?

Billy and Bonnie . . . hmm, well, Billy would probably transluminate Devin and stick him in a candlestone. Then I'd ask if a) I could have a turn with Excalibur, b) that Bonnie would give me a little ride up in the air, and c) that Billy would show me his fire breathing. If a dragon showed up too, that would be awesome :D

3. So... moving on, the heroes defeat the villain (with some help from you, of course- whatever it may be. ;) But the next day, you're just walking along, minding your own business, when you suddenly come across the same villain... who is now lying in the dust severely wounded and unconscious. What do you do?

Wow, he got out of the candlestone already? Billy probably wouldn't be too happy if I killed him (not that I would or anything . . .) so I'd probably get Billy and Bonnie to come back and transluminate him again.

4. Now his minions show up and kidnap both you and him and take you to their universe (or version of your universe, whatever it happens to be.) Your reaction?

So, Palin and a couple of other esquires. And they'd probably take me to the third or seventh circle. If the underground mines, I'd try to find one of the portals so I could escape.

5. Your fantastic heroes have arrived to rescue you- but now you're faced with a choice. The villain, out of gratitude for your earlier help, (assuming you actually did help him when he was wounded) has offered you a chance to travel back to your own universe. However, the heroes warn you not to trust him. The only other way for you to get back home is to travel with the heroes on a long and dangerous journey... and there's no guarantee that you'll survive.
What. Do. You. Do.

Devin? Gratitude? Hah. I'd go with Billy and Bonnie in a heartbeat.

From Ryebrynn:

1. If the main villain of your favorite book/movie/TV series showed up on your front doorstep, what would you do? (Explain who it is first...)

I think I'll choose Farimaal, from the Binding of the Blade, even though he's not the /main/ villain. Close enough, and it would be spoilers to say . . . well, I won't.

If he turned up at my doorstep, and was trying to kill me. I don't think I'd stand much of a chance against him–not that I can't sword-fight, but against Farimaal? No way.

2. Now supposing the heroes opposite this villain showed up just after your exchange. What would you do then?

Aljeron, Valzaan, and Benjiah. They should be able to take care of him. Phew. *wipes sweat from brow*. As above, I'd probably want to get Aljeron to give me a sword-fighting lesson and Benjiah an archery lesson :D

3. So... moving on, the heroes defeat the villain (with some help from you, of course- whatever it may be. ;) But the next day, you're just walking along, minding your own business, when you suddenly come across the same villain... who is now lying in the dust severely wounded and unconscious. What do you do?

Farimaal has too awesome quotes for him to die. I'd probably help him.

4. Now his minions show up and kidnap both you and him and take you to their universe (or version of your universe, whatever it happens to be.) Your reaction?

Going to Kirthanin would be amazing. With Farimaal and Nolthanim? Probably not so much. I'd probably try to escape, using my knowledge of Kirthanin ;)

5. Your fantastic heroes have arrived to rescue you- but now you're faced with a choice. The villain, out of gratitude for your earlier help, (assuming you actually did help him when he was wounded) has offered you a chance to travel back to your own universe. However, the heroes warn you not to trust him. The only other way for you to get back home is to travel with the heroes on a long and dangerous journey... and there's no guarantee that you'll survive.
What. Do. You. Do.

Going with Farimaal would be tempting . . . he does have some awesome quotes, and he doesn't seem to be a crazy killer . . . but I think I'd probably go with Valzaan, Aljeron, and Benjiah.

I'm going to tag:
1. Sarah from Dreams and Dragons
2. Brian McBride from Shattering the Darkness

If either of you two have been tagged, you don't have to do it twice–just ignore my tag if you want to.

--Jag Swiftstorm