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@freedomwriter76
I agree that if the death doesn’t come off as necessary, then 9 times out of 10, you shouldn’t kill them off. Deaths are tempting to write, but we need them few and far between.
But I can see why you would do it.
So it just depends on your personal preference I guess.
#ProtectAdolinKholin
@freedomwriter76
DIETRIIIIICH đ
*secretly hopes you choose to keep him aliveâŚ*
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSeb@freedomwriter76
I agree with Esther and Whaley!
As you’ve expanded more on his character and the rest of the plot if it now doesn’t seem necessary to kill him then don’t. But just try to figure out how you want to get the character development with the other characters if you end up not killing Dietrich. But definitely don’t kill someone if you don’t have to. Especially ones you love.đđ
I rolled the log over and underneath was a tiny little stick and I was like, "That log had a child
@freedomwriter76
I will disagree with some of the others.
I personally think that you should go through with killing Dietrich (from the wrightup). It seems like you have already set up the story where killing him completes his arc. Personally it can be very useful to kill a likeable good character because you can increase the storyâs tension/make the tension not die.
This is especially true for longer series (I donât know what the length of your story is) or/and stories that constantly put the characters in danger. I have read some series that suffer from throwing the characters into super perilous situations but never killing any of them which just kind of makes the tensions of such scenarios disappear after enough moments of this.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI NEED HELP
WITH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
So in Project Chrysanthemum, the theme is all about isolation vs. fellowship, and how we will never feel purely connected to others in this life – both because of sin, but also because as Christians we have another chasm between us and others. We are not of the world. On top of that is the theme of self-centered vs. other-centered. On top of that is how this affects our perception of both this earthly world and the spiritual world. In summary, it’s all about how our center either aligns or conflicts with other’s centers – whether it be a matter of truth, understanding, or communication. And how this world is discouraging, because our imperfect centers never fully understand one another.
…
And even though this is a broad topic, I’m having trouble giving each character a unique struggle with this theme… XD
Calvin was easy. He struggles with valuing truth (religious truth) above everything else, and the fact that everyone else in the world of scholarly and religious endeavor don’t search for it. He is like a Christian, feeling out of place in a world of non-Christians.
Cairo was also easy. Self-centered. So much so that negative (and magical) effects begin to set in, and a crisis occurs. Like a non-Christian, trying to find satisfaction in her own center.
Then we get into a few problems…
Dogchild and Marcel have practically the same problem. They both feel as if they aren’t important to other people – their friends, family. There’s no best friend who knows their every thought, every emotion. They don’t have a clique. And no one who really tries to get to know them. No one has the same center as them.
Dogchild handles it by folding into himself and ‘resigning’ to his fate. He then later on learns to participate in life, instead of standing on the side lines.
Marcel handles it by making a valid effort to be social (a more active approach), but in the process, develops seriously low self-esteem. This ends in semi-tragedy.
But are they different enough that it isn’t just the same character arc?
And then Thorn…
I don’t know what to do with her.
She has that magical disability, which makes her feel separated from the rest of the world.
But I want something almost broader. Because how does her problem apply to real life? It’s too specific of a situation.
I also want an encouraging vibe, since she has the ‘underdog’ trope, which should pay off well.
So… something in this realm of theme?
Perhaps something to do with the power of fellowship? A story where she watches Christians’ centers slowly begin to align with each other?
…
I don’t even know what I’m asking anymore XD
#ProtectAdolinKholin
@whalekeeper hmmâŚ
Firstly I think Dogchil and Marcelâs crises are fine with being similar yet different enough đ (WHAT HAPPENS TO MARCEL đ I LOVE HIM)
as for Thorn hmmâŚ
ActuallyâŚ
I have an idea-
Donât make her Disability be the focus of the story in the way your thinking of it.
Let me explain.
Right now the way your approaching her sounds a bit similar to Dogchild and Marcelâs arcs/themes, struggling to fit in/feeling out of place.
But, kinda hooking onto that last bit you said about bringing her theme into fellowship/centers aligning, why not have Thornâs arc be, Thorn is the one kind of Aligning everyone.
Everyone is going through their own arc/struggle, but Thorn also has a struggle, and her struggle is her disability that separates her, literally, from the world.
However, she doesnât allow this to affect her.
Just like in real life when we see people who are blind, cannot walk, speak, have mental disabilities, etc, but they do not let it affect them at all.
If anything, we need more people like them.
They show us who we should be, and how to act.
But they still struggle. They have their doubts, and they make mistakes, but they concern themselves with the needs of others, and itâs true them that others discover themselves and get through their own arcs.
And by doing that, those others also in the end (hopefully, but sometimes it doesnât end up like this) they come back to the person who centered them, and give them the gratitude they deserve.
Writing this I think of my brother who has ADHD but doesnât allow it to define him, and heâs awesome.
I also think of Jocelyn as this type of character. While she doesnât have a disability (weâll, actually she does have ADHD or ADD one of those) sheâs that character you kinda look at and maybe donât see the âstruggleâ like you do with some of the other traumatized charries. Same with Luna.
But both characters center those around them. Theyâre the light to the group. The joy.
Anyway Idk if this is what ur looking for but maybe itâll spark something đ
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSebSo . . . I don’t really know much about your story . . . but I can give you my thoughts about character arcs!
I’m a complete beginner at writing this kind of thing, but I do read a lot. So maybe that counts for something? xD
Dogchild and Marcel both do sound very similar, but the way that they react is different. So in my opinion, as long as they both don’t explicitly state their problem . . . and well, it’s not super, super obvious. . . then you should be fine. And honestly, I don’t think every character needs to dramatically change in your story. So even if you just left out the arc and still made them an interesting character, I think that would still work.
Or if you really feel it’s too close, and you need the arc, then you could always personalize it a little more. For example, your character felt alone through most of their life. They didn’t really have anyone to rely on, or they felt abandoned by others. So now they think they can only trust/need themself, and they distance themselves from other people by telling themself this.
(Now I feel bad for Marcel. đ˘)
And for Thorn — what magic does she have? Just curious XD
I’m not really sure either what you want for her — are you talking about an arc or how you could make her more relatable??
I think her arc is already pretty relatable, maybe for people who feel different or looked down on because of their circumstances, parents, race, etc., which goes with your underdog theme. I think everyone’s felt like that at some point.
Right now, all I can think of is a little cheesy xD
She could learn that being different doesn’t make her less than other people, or that everyone has unique gifts and talents. Again, it’s kind of hard because I don’t really know much about her / her world. Personally, I would have her later feel accepted by some people specifically, and then realize (maybe very subtly) she doesn’t need everyone’s approval.
Ok, my brain is shutting down. I hope this helped!!
I would love to hear more about your story if you have time to share!!
@freedomwriter76
*scrolls up*
Wait a minute –
*goes back to the page before this*
AHHH NOOOOOOO DIETRICH!!!!!!!!!
đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł
Ah, but waittt . . .
Ok, I agree with @otherworldlyhistorian (did I tag you right??)
I love Dietrich . . . but . . . I think the arcs would be so much better if he dies. *sobs*
But , I would be interested to see if you end up keeping him alive – how you do. XD
Anddd now I really want to read this story. đ¤Ł
Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. ~ C.S. Lewis
@godlyfantasy12 Heyyyyyy!!!!! I’m back!!! How’s it going, girlfriend!???
And I need a bit of help. Does anyone here know how to write really good sci-fi?
follow the one with fire in His eyes
Just saw your response!! Lol is it just me whose screen doesn’t update until you’ve already replied?
Nice to meet you! I’m new, lol.
I really like that idea about Thorn . . . I’m talking like I’m her author XD. But yeah, @whalekeeper, I think that would be really cool! And now I want to read your book too, lol
Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. ~ C.S. Lewis
I would love to help!!
I mean . . . I like sci fi 𤣠But I’m not an expert or anything. Still I could try to help you with whatever you need help with!
(Nice to meet you too, by the way!)That reminds me, @kyronthearcanin has a reallyyy good sci fi WIP. So maybe she would have advice?
Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. ~ C.S. Lewis
@hybridlore hi!! Thx! I thought it was interesting đ
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSeb@hybridlore (thanks!) @livingwoodchronicles
I will get to this in a minute, sry I’m on the ride home. I’ll do my best to help lol
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you.
For Thorn don’t underestimate the power of being alone. I know that I have found myself crying as I watched a group completely ignore me. I have also felt very different from others (Mostly because I’m an old soul) I would also say that people can learn how to help others with their tragedies and she can be the person who helps others control their emotions and to show others where they belong.
Sorry, I know that’s basic but I thought I’d share it.
Do me a favorâŚ. Tell Cress I meant it
-ThorneYUUUUSSSSS
You just completely put into words what I wanted but didn’t know I wanted XDXDXD
Now I don’t want the disability to be the main inner conflict, but instead a side issue to the main conflict – but that’s exactly what I meant by underdog trope. A-A-AAAAAAND the whole idea of her aligning everyone else by pushing past all this is perfect for the theme!! Thanks for basically blurbing my mixed-up thoughts into something that sounds good XD
Mmmmm… *thoughts whirl around in my brain* And YOU have supplied context thoughts, my friend. Many thanks, many thanks đ
I get it…
The same thing happened to me. You hit the nail right on the head. That inspired the theme of this book.
So, one hundred percent, I will not underestimate loneliness.
(And to everyone who is concerned for Marcel… eeehhh it doesn’t go the best for him but that’s a totally different topic)
#ProtectAdolinKholin
Hey! I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Solfyre. Love your profile pic btw, wolves are the best! đ
So, I don’t have a lot of information here, but for sci-fi as a whole, there are a few important things you have to think about. One, like in fantasy, is worldbuilding. It’s a huge aspect. In sci-fi, there are going to be different rules than in our normal world (even if it is based on earth). While in fantasy rules can be bent easily and be more or less chaotic, there need to be some solid rules in sci-fi. Readers want to know how things work. A couple examples coming from my WIP Healer:
- One character shows the MC how to steer a ship, which also in turn showed the reader how advanced the ships really were and a little bit of the know-how required to get a ship into the air.
- Old weapons like swords were used in a battle, when they live in a pretty high-tech world. So one character explains unfortunate laws made by an old king that forced this to happen, tying in how the interplanetary government works as a whole.
That being said, worldbuilding is great, but you can’t forget character development. Readers will want to know plenty about the world for sure, but the characters need to be just as exciting to fit the world. Create backstory. Make it interesting, using the different details of your world (or again, if it’s on earth, then use whatever you changed to make it sci-fi). Some examples:
- Sorren is a soldier, serious and calm, but he has a past that makes him protective. He is affected by the laws made by that old king mentioned earlier.
- Dune is a pilot, nervous but constantly making an effort to be confident. He’s awkward, but loves working on and piloting ships, so that brings in some worldbuilding as well.
A lot of sci-fi is learning to incorporate worldbuilding and the like into dialogue, average situations, etc. in the writing. It can take a while to get used to, but it’s worth it in the end.
So, yeah! If you have any more details you can give me, or specific questions, I’d love to help! đ
Follow your heart, but take your brain with you.
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