{ ＩＮＫＬＩＮＧＳ } LOCK! NEW THREAD

[nutella ♥]

Alright, I think I know what I'm going t do. c: thanks guys.

[Lilysplash]

I have a question. What annoys you the more when you're reading a book? Annoying characters or a bad plot? For me, I'd rather have a cliche plot and stellar characters than an excellent plot and mary-sue characters. I dunno why, but I just can't get into books where they have un relatable or annoying characters.

Ooh... you got me there. X3
I'm going to go with characters. If the plot is trite and the characters memorable and moving, then chances are they will elevate the plot. If the characters are god-moding sues or utterly underdeveloped, with despicable personalities for readers, it can bring down an interesting plot with potential.
But these scenarios almost never happen. XD good authors are normally pretty consistent about these things; a wonderful story will carry both lovable characters and an exciting plot. When have you last read a story with an overused, clichéd plot with a cast of amazing characters?

~Lilysplash

[nutella ♥]

I have a question. What annoys you the more when you're reading a book? Annoying characters or a bad plot? For me, I'd rather have a cliche plot and stellar characters than an excellent plot and mary-sue characters. I dunno why, but I just can't get into books where they have un relatable or annoying characters.

Ooh... you got me there. X3
I'm going to go with characters. If the plot is trite and the characters memorable and moving, then chances are they will elevate the plot. If the characters are god-moding sues or utterly underdeveloped, with despicable personalities for readers, it can bring down an interesting plot with potential.
But these scenarios almost never happen. XD good authors are normally pretty consistent about these things; a wonderful story will carry both lovable characters and an exciting plot. When have you last read a story with an overused, clichéd plot with a cast of amazing characters?

~Lilysplash

Has anyone read The Mortal Instruments series? I've only read the first book so far, but I think this book is a perfect example of this.
Personally, I think Clary is a somewhat irritating character. XD she bothers me by the way that she never really trains to become a shadow hunter, and yet she seems to be the best one there by instinct. Bam. Mary-sue.
However, I absolutely love the plotline to the story. The idea of people hunting down demons (a little like supernatural, but whatever XD) really sparks my interest. And even though I despise the character (no offense clary) I still read the book nonetheless.

[Lilysplash]

I have a question. What annoys you the more when you're reading a book? Annoying characters or a bad plot? For me, I'd rather have a cliche plot and stellar characters than an excellent plot and mary-sue characters. I dunno why, but I just can't get into books where they have un relatable or annoying characters.

Ooh... you got me there. X3
I'm going to go with characters. If the plot is trite and the characters memorable and moving, then chances are they will elevate the plot. If the characters are god-moding sues or utterly underdeveloped, with despicable personalities for readers, it can bring down an interesting plot with potential.
But these scenarios almost never happen. XD good authors are normally pretty consistent about these things; a wonderful story will carry both lovable characters and an exciting plot. When have you last read a story with an overused, clichéd plot with a cast of amazing characters?

~Lilysplash

Has anyone read The Mortal Instruments series? I've only read the first book so far, but I think this book is a perfect example of this.
Personally, I think Clary is a somewhat irritating character. XD she bothers me by the way that she never really trains to become a shadow hunter, and yet she seems to be the best one there by instinct. Bam. Mary-sue.
However, I absolutely love the plotline to the story. The idea of people hunting down demons (a little like supernatural, but whatever XD) really sparks my interest. And even though I despise the character (no offense clary) I still read the book nonetheless.

Oh... I see your point. >.< I haven't really read that series, but I have another example that just popped into mind: the Percy Jackson series. Being a younger reader, I do like this series, but doesn't it strike you that the main characters are basically sues? Just look at Percy, Annabeth, and Jason. Absolutely perfect. They have flaws, of course, but what kind of "fatal flaw" is loyalty, for crying out loud? It strikes me as a bit of a sue-ish characteristic! However, the plot is quite original and intriguing, so I read on. On the other hand, there are one shots. They tend to have no plot at all, leaning towards being drabble-esque. At the same time, I simply adore one shots from my favorite fanfiction authors, as they depict characters beautifully.
Hm. It seems as if I have reached an impasse. X3

~❀ℒiℓyѕρℓaѕℎ

[pancreas]

Has anyone read The Mortal Instruments series? I've only read the first book so far, but I think this book is a perfect example of this.
Personally, I think Clary is a somewhat irritating character. XD she bothers me by the way that she never really trains to become a shadow hunter, and yet she seems to be the best one there by instinct. Bam. Mary-sue.
However, I absolutely love the plotline to the story. The idea of people hunting down demons (a little like supernatural, but whatever XD) really sparks my interest. And even though I despise the character (no offense clary) I still read the book nonetheless.

I've read TMI, and the part of the books that annoyed me the most was how awful Clary was at fighting. I don't know, but she seemed to spend most of the time screaming. It really got on my nerves. x3
In my opinion, Jace is a bit of a gary-stu (attractive, amazing at fighting etc. etc.), but I agree that the plot more than makes up for it. And to be honest, I think it can sometimes be difficult to balance between having a mary-sue main character and having one that is too flawed and therefore holding the story back, if you get my meaning.

[tooru]

I have a question. What annoys you the more when you're reading a book? Annoying characters or a bad plot? For me, I'd rather have a cliche plot and stellar characters than an excellent plot and mary-sue characters. I dunno why, but I just can't get into books where they have un relatable or annoying characters.

Welp, I've got a few examples as far as this goes...

First off, the Soul Gaurdian series. The plot is spectacular, but the main character irks me. She's named Kara, is an all-powerful, and is definately a mary-sue. The only reason I continue to read it is because of David, this awesome guy character in it.

Secondly, Percy Jackson. The first series was amazing, I loved it, and couldn't put the books down. Then came "Heroes of Olympus." I like that Percy and Ammabeth are in it... but omg Jason! And holy flipping mary-sue Piper! I mean, that little brat gets everything she wants just by using her charmspeak, powerplay much? And she says she's a tomboy, heck no! >: I hate her so, so, so much.

Lastly, an anime I used to be into. Inuyasha. For a while I thought it was spectacular, then I finishe dthe entire series. The normal episodes have 659 episode, a second season had 24, and there are four movies. And throughout all these episodes, they're trying to defeat ONE bad guy. One. The characters never aged even though years passed, and get this: when the series started this girl, Kagome, was 15. Now, keep in mind how many episodes there are, and how each episode is one day after the next. She should have aged about two years. But nope. In the second series she gets seperated from everyone else for three years and comes back at 18. I mean, what?! And also, she doesn't look like she's aged at all. The other main character is a half demon, so he wouldn't look like he aged, but... /ventover/

[nutella ♥]

Secondly, Percy Jackson. The first series was amazing, I loved it, and couldn't put the books down. Then came "Heroes of Olympus." I like that Percy and Ammabeth are in it... but omg Jason! And holy flipping mary-sue Piper! I mean, that little brat gets everything she wants just by using her charmspeak, powerplay much? And she says she's a tomboy, heck no! >: I hate her so, so, so much.

Piper. Don't even get me started.
She's a daughter of Aphrodite, so she's beautiful, and can charm speak, and Jason is like in love with her, and she speaks French. She has absolutely no training, yet she is capable of doing whatever Jason and Leo do. Her knife isn't even meant for fighting, and yet she's still the best fighter in the Aphrodite cabin. And she gets head counselor. No, just no. And why does Jason like her so much? She... I can't even express my anger on this one. What's her flaw? That she is pretty, but doesn't want to be? Or that your dad is an award winning movie star, but that embarrasses her? Seriously, the series is called 'Heros of Olympus', not 'Piper the Pretty Rich Girl Who's Life is So Hard'.
(point made)

[Lilysplash]

Secondly, Percy Jackson. The first series was amazing, I loved it, and couldn't put the books down. Then came "Heroes of Olympus." I like that Percy and Ammabeth are in it... but omg Jason! And holy flipping mary-sue Piper! I mean, that little brat gets everything she wants just by using her charmspeak, powerplay much? And she says she's a tomboy, heck no! >: I hate her so, so, so much.

Piper. Don't even get me started.
She's a daughter of Aphrodite, so she's beautiful, and can charm speak, and Jason is like in love with her, and she speaks French. She has absolutely no training, yet she is capable of doing whatever Jason and Leo do. Her knife isn't even meant for fighting, and yet she's still the best fighter in the Aphrodite cabin. And she gets head counselor. No, just no. And why does Jason like her so much? She... I can't even express my anger on this one. What's her flaw? That she is pretty, but doesn't want to be? Or that your dad is an award winning movie star, but that embarrasses her? Seriously, the series is called 'Heros of Olympus', not 'Piper the Pretty Rich Girl Who's Life is So Hard'.
(point made)

Yes. YES. I HATE Piper. -.-' Ugh. She's such a brat!
Percy and Jason are also pretty big sues, but less so than Piper. Yes, my fatal flaw is loyalty! And Jason? Not really anything wrong about him... Which is bad! >:c

[tooru]

I don't consider Percy an annoying sue - he does get hurt, and he isn't a jerk. He doesn't act all huffy and stuff.

Jason and Piper, though, are practically invincible.

[nutella ♥]

I'd just like to change the subject here, just for a moment. c:
I just went to the bookstore and bought this book. I've been reading through the first few pages and its got tons of great tips for beginning writers, and even a little blurb on irritating characters, which flows with the current subject of our little discussion.
Anyway, I've just gotten to a page about a 'Character Arc'. Anyone ever heard this term before? It's basically what the character wants in the plotline, their goals and what they hope to achieve during the course of the story. The author writes :


In it's simplest terms, character arc is about supplying a character with specific wants or goals and then putting obstacles in his or her way. And the degree to which the character is successful, or not, in achieving the goal tells us something about the character as a person and, ideally, tells us something about ourselves as a reader.


I think what the author of the book (Joseph Bates) is trying to say as he is explaining a character arc is that the character has to benefit from achieving their goal. For example, if they are trying to find some enchanted item that can be found in the ruins of an ancient city, he or she needs a reason to be doing it. Not just because "it's what the story is about", but how doing so will benefit the character themselves. For example, if we stick with the idea of retrieving an enchanted item from an ancient city, the main character has been asked to retrieve the item and in return he will receive a special reward or, if he does not accomplish his goal, his or her family will suffer dire consequences, ext.
Anyway, as I was reading this, I realized that in my current story I do not have a character arc. The main character doesn't really do much, since she dies before she can really do anything. The only thing she does is escape, and then witness something terrible. She doesn't plan on doing anything about it, because it doesn't affect her since she is going to die anyway. So she has no reason to act upon this terrible event, but does so anyway. Why? No idea.

For those of you who have not heard of this book, you should definitely read it. It's full of great ways to work on your novel, and finish it, for beginners.
Sorry about the long post, just wanted to share that. c:
- nut