❛ the lazy writers ❜

[Silver Pandorica]

Do you think it's okay for writers to add elements to their stories and characters even if the plot doesn't need them? (E.g., the protagonist has pink hair.)

Of course! This makes the characters more believable and unique instead of just cookie-cutter characters. For example, my character Tetra has cherry red hair, which is dyed. i don't believe cherry red is a natural hair color? 😐 and I think this shows that she has dimension and a rather independent personality. Even if something doesn't contribute directly to the plot, it will contribute to the character's personality and really make them pop off the page. Characters should have interests just like real people do.

Ah, I have a question now. XD

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[b]What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?[/b]

[BucketORandomness]

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
I feel like this is an easy way to become attached to a character, but the less you have to do it, the better. If you put a little of yourself into ever character you make, then they all start to read the same way, and the story becomes predictable, which is never a good thing

[winged-backpack]

@megagarius and everyone on this thread

READ 1984, it's one of the most defining dystopian novels there is. It's a little hard to follow, but I did read it when I was 15 so it was quite some time ago. It's got some brilliant plot points and amazing twists, keeps you gripped the whole time!

As for other dystopian books, The Handmaid's Tale is great. It's a very slow book, but sticking with it is very rewarding. We've studied it in my English lit class and I was hooked (I finished the book before most of my class were on chapter 6). That being said, there are some VERY adult themes, so don't read it if you're under like 15 unless you think you can handle adult content (there's themes of *ahem* reproduction and a bit of gory imagery).

Do you think it's okay for writers to add elements to their stories and characters even if the plot doesn't need them? (E.g., the protagonist has pink hair.)

I think it can vary. Sometimes it's a really cool addition to add to the characters' diversity and add an interesting twist to what might be a regular or (for want of a better word) boring character. A lot of elements can be really subtle. One good example is JK Rowling wanted to make Seams and Dean gay, but she was worried that it would distract from the plot too much. However, this would have only really happened if she had done it in a really implicit way, as in saying outright that they were gay (sort of using the word overtly).
The best way of doing it, I think, would to just mention it in passing, show don't tell. In the example I gave, she might have had a brief sentence of them suddenly jumping away from each other one of the times when Harry burst into their dorm. This would have given the readers the surest proof that they were more than just friends, whilst not distracting from the plot.
All in all, I don't see it as a problem, as long as it doesn't distract from the main plot (and doesn't make them a Mary Sue)

What is your opinion on putting a little bit of yourself into a character?

I would say it's best to only add elements of yourself. Maybe putting a little bit of you into each of your characters. Empathising woth your characters will make them easier to write, just as long as you're not just writing yourself into a story (unless of course you're writing an autobiography ^^)

Wow okay sorry, long post

[anxious ghost]

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
I think it's ok with some things. I tend to put a little of myself into each character, just a trait or two that I know well. That way, there's at least one thing that I know "yes, this is how this works", and not "well I've never experienced any of this so how do I write it?"
It just makes some things easier to write, I guess.

[TheSongOfTheStars]

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
It's ok to put a little bit. Or not even a physical trait or personality trait, it could be one of your wants, desires, they could fulfill one of your dreams. But putting too much into each of them and you may get too attached and they start to look all the same.

[The Worst Username]

@Humans

Have any of you read A Prayer for Owen Meany? My mother recommended it. I just started the book today; it's really good so far, and apparently there's a twist ending.

@Winged

Curse you. Now I have even more things on my to-read list. Thank you for the recommendation!

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?

I put little bits of myself into my characters all the time, because I know myself better than I know anyone and it makes the characters a lot more realistic. For example, the main character in my current project is terribly insecure, just like I am; her brother picks senseless fights, as I do, though he gets into fistfights and I get into arguments; the love interest is white, much like myself. Tiny traits never hurt anybody, no matter what online Mary-Sue tests say.

[winged-backpack]

@worst
At least you have a to-read list! I'm really bad with books because when someone recommends me something to read, I will just start it which is why I'm currently reading at least 7 booms right now...
And I'm planning to start an 8th aaaaa I'm so bad for this ^^

[Aliria]

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
Is it possible not to? All my characters have a tiny bit of me in them, simply because it's really, really, hard to write a character who you have nothing in common with. As long as they're not an exact copy of you, it's completely fine.

[Ranger of the North]

Can you write better at night or day? Or doesn't it matter?
Night. So annoying. XD

What are some cliches that irk you while reading?
When two characters hate each other and then randomly fall in love without getting to know each other properly. UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH !!!

Your character has a massive bag of Carmel corn to share (Significant other, best friend, ect) how do they divide it up?
Ooh, good question... Svern would be extremely suspicious until convinced that it wasn't poisoned or drugged or anything. Then, I think, he'd tuck it in a pocket and keep it for boring situations when no one's watching him XD

Do you think it's okay for writers to add elements to their stories and characters even if the plot doesn't need them? (E.g., the protagonist has pink hair.)
Sure, as long as there's not too much! Everyone irl has odd little habits 'n' things, so why not characters lol? Rl can be very random, so why not imaginary life? XD

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
I think it's a good idea; it's easier to write about things you know, y'know? Like someone who doesn't do much writing writing about writing would just be silly unless they did a lot of research, and even then it likely wouldn't be the same, so someone who's claustrophobic or cheerful is gonna have an easier time describing how their claustrophobic or cheerful character feels in the appropriate situations. Sorry, I think I'm rambling now XD did i even make sense *shakes head sadly*

[DeMaizu]

What is your opinion on putting a little of yourself into a character?
I feel I must echo Ali's sentiment; Is it possible not to?????? I mean, in all seriousness, I'm pretty sure we've all done it. Maybe I've done it a bit more than I should have, but I can fix that.

. . . . . . . . . . When I stop being lazy.