Development: Chapter 3

Spoilers, Doctor.

I know I’m not the only one who is like this, but most of the time, my favorite characters happen to be villains.  I can’t help it, and it doesn’t help that in Anime, they can often be more interesting and better looking than the protagonists.

I don’t usually tend to like trends, but there has been a recent trend lately for movies and shows to have more complex villains.  I am all for it.  Once Upon a Time, for all its faults, happens to accomplish this brilliantly.  Not only do they take the traditional villains and make them more complicated, but they take some of the traditionally heroic figures and make them the villains.  I won’t name any names, but if you are faithful to the show, then you know what I’m talking about.  I think that no character in this show is safe where evil deeds are concerned.  Everyone has done something they regretted, even the main characters.  Especially the main characters.  That is some brilliance right there.

I know that people have their versions of what makes a true villain, or their categories for villains.  When I have read things about developing “bad guy” characters in the past, I read a lot about motivation.  It seems that this can be the main factor.  Their motivation has to be opposite the protagonist, or something selfish or greedy.  This is all well and good, but I think if you focus too much on this, you can tread into dangerous territory.  It can result in loss of individuality of the characters, and I speak from experience.  It didn’t take too long before I realized a while back that I could be subject to having villains that are way more interesting and complex than my main characters.  I don’t want that at all!

My solution now is to sort of let the reader pick and choose.  Obviously we already pick our own characters that we love and hate, but there is an understanding of who is good and bad.  But that doesn’t always have to be the case, and when it is the case, that doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.  For example, in the new Star Wars, it’s obvious who is good and bad.  That is not a problem at all.  But in a series like Game of Thrones, it’s less obvious who is good and evil, because everyone has their dark and light sides.  They are completely different from each other, so I’m not comparing them side by side.  Rather, I’m showing the differences in their nature.  We can learn from both, however.  In my writing, I have characters who are obviously noble, and other who are just sick in nature.  However, like I mentioned earlier, I don’t want people to be bored with the “noble” characters because they feel they will know them already.  Instead, I try to make them diverse in nature.

One of my main characters will become the villain for another character.  To you the reader, he is not evil.  You understand his thoughts, his motivations and his confusions.  However, to one of the other characters, this guy is his ultimate enemy.  And maybe even you will agree, and begin to dislike the main character’s actions.  Hopefully by avoiding obvious stereotypes, I can create characters that everyone loves, whether or not they are lemons.  (Every Villain Is Lemons.)

Fangirl Chapter 2: Doctor Who

Spoilers. Alert. Spoilers, Doctor.

I will confess that I haven’t yet seen the latest season of Doctor Who.  I watched the first episode online, then the next one didn’t seem to be available.  I gave up because I had other shows I was watching, and I figured Netflix would eventually add it.  Even if that doesn’t happen, I’ll find a way to watch it.

You don’t have to look far to realize that being a fan of Doctor Who is a crazy roller coaster ride.  There are insane plot twists, unexpected deaths and resurrections, sad  goodbyes and fun characters.  And annoying characters.  But I think one of the biggest things is wrapping your head around some of the plots.  I am amazed at how talented and devoted the writers are to the terrific, convoluted stories that we bear with as fans.

I’m sure there are loads of people out there who take the time to find holes in the plot, complete with storyboards as if they are creepy stalkers, notes and websites/videos dedicated to explaining the plots or finding mistakes.  You might think that’s a little far fetched, but if there are people that devoted to Star Trek and Star Wars, how much more so should they be to this Sci Fi time traveling epic?

To be honest, I can go both ways when it comes to time travel.  I do like it to a degree, but it has to be done right.  I feel like, from a writer’s standpoint, it is an element that has a time and a place.  I think the best place, personally, to learn how to write it well is by watching a show like Doctor Who.  The show eases you into the concept, then you go on a whirlwind of trials, involving things like paradoxes.

I really like that with Doctor number ten, while watching it you can follow along what is happening when you really pay attention.  You understand why it’s so significant that Martha discovers who the things in those little pods are, and why the Master needs a paradox to make it work.  Okay, that is a little complicated, but I remember being glad that I could understand it.

Now here’s what happens with Doctor number 11.  (My favorite Doctor).

Visual Metaphor for Doctor 11 Seasons: You are happy that you climbed the stairs yesterday, but you are running late to class, so you need to get into the elevator.  You are afraid of the look your teacher will give you if you walk in while they have already started giving the lecture (AKA trying to get the PowerPoint to work).  So you are in the elevator.  The buttons seem to be stuck.  So you are pressing the one for your floor, knowing in the back of your mind that it could be a possibility it’s stuck because other people have pushed it too hard.  But you don’t care, because how else will it work?  Then as you realize the doors are closing, you notice the numbers on each button are not arranged in the right order.  As the elevator starts moving, you freeze, because even though you pressed the 4th button, the number above that button is 8.  But will it still take you to the right floor?  Then the elevator starts shaking.  It’s rattling so much that you hold out your arms, trying to steady yourself.  You narrowly avoid bashing your head on the door, too.  It seems to be shaking even more and more, and you’re not sure if you’ll survive this.  Then it stops.  You take a deep breath.  Maybe you’ll be okay.  Then it starts again.  It’s shaking even harder this time, and you are on the floor, screaming.  Then it comes to a slow halt.  You feel okay.  The door opens, and you crawl out, not caring who sees you.  You slowly stand up, looking around.  You are on the right floor, so you run to class to see if any of them felt this.  You know this is the right room, but everyone looks different.  The teacher smiles at you, and you breath a sigh of relief.  You are preparing to ask people about this experience, or tell them what happened, when you look up at your seat and the teacher is suddenly a different person. –end metaphor-

And that is what it is like watching Doctor Who 11.  Just when you think you’ll be okay, you can just barely understand what is going on.  I think the only thing that kept me sane was the fact that I trusted the Doctor completely.  I guess I could fill in blanks in my head when I felt something wasn’t explained, by thinking things like, “space science,” or “time travel stuff.”  Which is fine.  That’s what the show is about.

Why is 11 my favorite?  Personally I think he fits the profile the best.  If someone were to create a weary, time traveling, non human character who can be silly but still wise and clearly hides his sad past beneath his outer appearance, but above all loves adventure and saving people, Matt Smith seems to be the person to personify such a character.  Personally that is my opinion, but I understand why others differ.  That might be the beauty of this show!  We all love the same character, but we have our favorite versions of them!

More to follow this post!