Non-villain rant

[limyaael]

Both digoraccoon and marumae asked for a rant like this. And, after all, there’s no reason that you need to assume a villain in order to have a story. Mainstream fiction and many “classic” novels get away quite handily with having no villain, or only one truly despicable character in a populated world where many other shades of morality exist.

The only thing I do

Comments

[limyaael]

The problem comes in showing that the gods are fallible. If it's a trickster figure like Loki, that comes built in, but most of the time, when gods do appear in a fantasy story, the characters are too busy ooh-ing and aah-ing and believing every word they say about Destiny to doubt them- other than in the generic, "I am not worthy of this great power!" kind of way- and everything the gods say comes true. (Exception: David Duncan's A Man of His Word Quartet, which slowly reveals that, while the gods may know all things, their purposes are highly unworthy of trust).

[paradoxiom]

What if the gods never actually show up? They mind their own business and sit in the underworld and take care of their jobs, and that's that. The only god who interferes with anything is the god in charge of resurrection, because he almost never gets to do anything (the other gods don't want him bringing people back to life all willy-nilly); when he finally does get the change to bring someone back to life, he follows him around and constantly pesters him and makes his second life a living nightmare. Because, really, he has nothing better to do.

Does that make any sense? I need these gods for my plot, but I've been a bit afraid to do much with them for fear that they'll just turn into really bad characters.

[limyaael]

I suppose I'd want to know why the god interfered with a mortal even if he was bored; surely an immoral being can invent something for himself to do to help pass the time, or he would have gone crazy long since. If the gods are limited, it could easily be that they're bound by certain obligations to the mortals they help; "You brought him back to life, he's your problem now!" I suppose I just don't like the cliché that all immortals are bored.

[eveanhei]

Man. I just have to say that your rants are awesome. Not only do you succinctly (and with a good dose of humor) raise points that have bothered me for years, you inspire me to tackle my own writing. Thanks.

[limyaael]

Thank you! I like doing both.

[siog_slitheanta]

#6: I'm all for breaking clichés. But sometimes I like them. I mean, from time to time I like to read a well-written Quest story with Reluctant Heroes, villains, dragons, and Wise Old Mentors that act the way I expect them to do. I like Arthurian love triangles. I like abused kids that turn out to be long lost princes. Amazingly, there doesn't seem to be that much of them around. Tolkien, Morris, Malory, and... that's about it. I don't recall reading that many well-written stories that actually follow the 'rules' and turn out to be good reads. I'd like to see people come up with new twists to these well-worn plots, but I'd also like to see more of those said plots, written in a way worth reading.

Will you please friend me in your aventalar account? I'm dying to read your novels.

[limyaael]

I was more thinking of the attitude that, "Because [the lost heir/the perfect princess/the abused gay character/the Dark Lord] is an archetype, I need to write the story that way!" No, you don't. If you can write it well, as you note, fine. (But I bet that more people would be repaid by thinking it over again instead of just assuming they can write it well). Because something is an "archetype" is no excuse.

And sure, I'll friend you. *goes to do so*

[deckardcanine]

I recall someone complaining that 'Salem's Lot was full of archetypes, but I think King wanted it that way. They were to suffer for the shortcomings of many others like them. It's practically the point of the story, aside from scaring readers and getting money from them.

[cygna_hime]

I absolutely agree with all these points. Yaye

... :D

[weaselistic]

Well, it IS the best game ever!

Re: ... :D

[cygna_hime]

Indeed. *deeply regrets not having an appropriate icon*

Re: ... :D

[weaselistic]

I deeply regret that I cannot use most of my appropriate icons out of respect for my still-playing friendslist. :P

[angelhunter]

You know, this is the third day in a row that Goodkind's Evil!Chicken That is Not a Chicken is mentioned on my friendslist.

I am starting to get paranoid now.