Writing (and hate)

[butterfly]

Checked that new hate community (fanfic_hate). Was mildly amused by the sheer amount of hate that people can summon up for something so easily ignored (as there are certainly stories and authors on there that I agree suck, but wouldn't dream of hating, because, well, the 'back' key exists for a reason). On the other hand, it's probably cathartic for people to get the hate out of their systems. Unfortunately, I suspect that, as happened with TWoP, this may end up only breeding more hate. It's a thin line.

I looked in vain for some hate for my writing. Sadly, I don't appear to be on there (will let you know if I spot myself), as it's hard to be overrated when your average level of feedback is under ten comments (This is, I'd like to point out, not actually a complaint. I'm not the queen of feedback myself, and if I'm not willing to extend, it isn't sporting to be disappointed in not receiving -- this is my General Theory of Feedback.).

My biggest pet peeve in writing, the one thing that bugs me more than anything, is symbolized by something in the recent Harry Potter movie, actually - Pink!Jacketed Hermione and her 'grrl power' (which is such a 90's phrase, any road).

Or, to put it another way, bending characterization in order to service a favored character. This is something that I always try to guard against in my own writing, but it's a common problem.

I'm not going to name names, because, honestly? This happens a lot. You love a character, therefore everyone else must or they will suffer (or be shown to be an asshole or (more commonly in slash) a bitch).

This covers quite a bit of territory. Generally, though, the rule that I work by is simple -- when writing as a character, be that character. You have to know them, live in their skin. And not only that, you have to remember how other people treat them. Not how you want them to treat them, but how they actually do treat them. Then, you have to filter that through the perceptions of the character that you're working with.

We all see each character differently, but we do all work from the same source material. We know things about them -- we've never seen Xander cry and only know of him crying once, when he found out that Joyce died. Therefore, there must be sufficient reason for a teary-eyed Xander in any given story, because Xander is not a teary-eyed guy.

Comments

[soundingsea.livejournal.com]

You love a character, therefore everyone else must or they will suffer (or be shown to be an asshole or (more commonly in slash) a bitch).

Hee! I prefer the Joss approach... make your favorite characters suffer. It's more fun that way. :)

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

>And not only that, you have to remember how other people treat them. Not how you want them to treat them, but how they actually do treat them<

Oh, yes. It's like some writers feel obliged to hold their character's grudges for them, and it just get bad.

It's easy to fall into that trap as a writer, but as a reader, it's so annoying when you spot a fic that has a character agenda.

[jic]

So I wasn't the only one who thought HP3 would be more aptly named "The Hermione Movie"? I liked it, regardless, but you're right.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Hear hear. It almost never works-people just feel manipulated.

I remember reading once that one should empathize with all ones characters but sympathize with none of them. Because empathy implies understanding, but sympathize means you want to make things easier for them. It drives me crazy seeing people do that in a fic, where other character are made to obviously look bad just so that others can look better. I know that any screenwriter adapting something might have a favorite character, but honestly, I'd think they'd be professional enough to show that just by including that character's good moments or presenting their story well, not be building them up at the expense of others and making up things for them.

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Well, I felt the second movie was "The Hagrid Movie," so this is an improvement.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

True - There's really only one character who's ever gotten special treatment in the series that I can think of (Willow).

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes. That's one of the easiest traps to fall into (I think that I manage to avoid it most of the time -- to the point of being praised for showing how much Buffy would always love Angel in a story that I wrote when I hated Angel's guts), but often so obvious from the outside.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Just once that pink coat/sweater/jacket thing is one. Before that, I don't have a problem with how her character is treated. But once she puts on the coat, she is invested with the Power of Pink (previously only seen on Smallville's Lana).

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with that. The cheering at the end baffles me every time. We are given no indication through the movie that Hagrid even spends time with anyone not in the Trio, yet the entire school apparently cares about him (when they didn't, really, in the book). It actually, now that you mention it, bothers me more with Hagrid, because at least Hermione is a fairly interesting character. Not worthy of the twisting that happened in the film, but more than when it happens with Hagrid.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I remember reading once that one should empathize with all ones' characters but sympathize with none of them. Because empathy implies understanding, but sympathize means you want to make things easier for them.

Oh, I adore that. That's perfect, yes.

I even understand the urge -- when I'm watching or reading, sympathy comes naturally. I've said many times that all I want is for my favorite characters to be happy. But I want them to be happy, not some perfect, idealized version of them.

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

we have an idea that HP4 will be the ron movie

[jic]

*snicker* I never catch that stuff. I'm glad you do.

[pacoman.livejournal.com]

"The Ron movie"? When the past two movies have practically made him the Hogwarts buttmonkey?

..alright, so it is a possibility, anyway, but still..

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

yes ... i mean if they can go from having McGonagall and Snape as key and wonderfully rounded characters to what they did in HP3 why not the reverse with Ron?

weirder things have happened in the movie-canon

(it's not that it's not far fetched it is.. but that's kind of the point)