Random NaySayer
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- Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:59:49 +0000
First things first: Please, remember to treat this topic with some level of maturity. No "EW, THAT'S GROSS!" please. If you don't have something to say that does not further the descussion of the topic, then please, refrain from replying.
Like all good writers, we begin character creation by looking at the human condition:
We find ourselves, tiny specks, toddling along through the heretofore uncharted backwaters of the obscure concept of love. Love, it is a thing never to be grasped by the sons of man. Simply, it is the sugary-sweet essence of the future , which oozes so daintily from the dreams of girls while they are young. Love is a thing that has become so ruined through years and years of idealization, of daydreams and night-dreams, that it has become a thing that we, as human beings, will never attain to its fullest extent. Why? Because of expectation! Expectation! Love has become something that we expect to happen, and so we have no idea any longer how to go about making it happen. So, here we are, dogpaddling our way through these roaring waters, unable to cope with the consequences of what may or may not happen to our fragile heartstrings throughout this journey.
So too must our characters be unaware of what the hell they’re getting themselves into. What do we, as writers, put our characters through to portray this state of uncertainty, and further deepen that character‘s personality through said events? What are our methods of bringing about these intense, and confusing emotions? An abusive relationship? Loosing someone important to them? Falling in “love”, then having them realize that it wasn’t all it was cracked-up to be? These methods might work in a pinch, but we have to realize that they are all clichéd circumstances that every writer, at some point or another, falls back on.
The old ways might still work well, but we need to strive to discover new ways. To further develop the character, we must also remember that there are many fetishes that we may use. Not the same-old-same-old. Think people! When was the last time the enthusiastic environmentalist was seen masturbating to pictures of his beloved trees? When was the last time our dedicated zookeeper fell madly in love with Bertha the Gorilla, bringing her flowers and candy every day? What if he found out that Bertha was having a secret affair with Bob the Gorilla? How would he act? Would he retaliate?
Be bold. We all know that there are some twisted people in this world, and we have all written characters with twisted personalities, so why not take things one step further? Twisted concepts of morality, a twisted view of reality…where are the twisted concepts of love? Sure, we have straight, bisexual, and homosexual that we see all the time, but how long will those limited choices keep us or our characters happy? There are many frontiers of emotional weirdness that no one has even scratched the surface of! Let’s start exploring our characters’ emotions and sexuality further.
I say "NAY!" to boring character relationships!
I am challenging everyone to think of at least one scenario that has not been seen before! Have at it!
Now quotes from members who have replied to this thread that are helpful to the topic, and further the actual discussion; for your viewing pleasure, so you don't have to read back any amount of pages.:
*Edit: Remember, according to Frued's theories, the only abnormal sexual relationship is having none at all.*
Let me remind you all that spam posts will not be tolerated in this thread. By this, I mean posts containing only emoticons, or less than a full sentence pertaining to the topic of this thread.
Love: An Expedition into the Emotions and Sexuality of Our Characters!
Like all good writers, we begin character creation by looking at the human condition:
We find ourselves, tiny specks, toddling along through the heretofore uncharted backwaters of the obscure concept of love. Love, it is a thing never to be grasped by the sons of man. Simply, it is the sugary-sweet essence of the future , which oozes so daintily from the dreams of girls while they are young. Love is a thing that has become so ruined through years and years of idealization, of daydreams and night-dreams, that it has become a thing that we, as human beings, will never attain to its fullest extent. Why? Because of expectation! Expectation! Love has become something that we expect to happen, and so we have no idea any longer how to go about making it happen. So, here we are, dogpaddling our way through these roaring waters, unable to cope with the consequences of what may or may not happen to our fragile heartstrings throughout this journey.
So too must our characters be unaware of what the hell they’re getting themselves into. What do we, as writers, put our characters through to portray this state of uncertainty, and further deepen that character‘s personality through said events? What are our methods of bringing about these intense, and confusing emotions? An abusive relationship? Loosing someone important to them? Falling in “love”, then having them realize that it wasn’t all it was cracked-up to be? These methods might work in a pinch, but we have to realize that they are all clichéd circumstances that every writer, at some point or another, falls back on.
The old ways might still work well, but we need to strive to discover new ways. To further develop the character, we must also remember that there are many fetishes that we may use. Not the same-old-same-old. Think people! When was the last time the enthusiastic environmentalist was seen masturbating to pictures of his beloved trees? When was the last time our dedicated zookeeper fell madly in love with Bertha the Gorilla, bringing her flowers and candy every day? What if he found out that Bertha was having a secret affair with Bob the Gorilla? How would he act? Would he retaliate?
Be bold. We all know that there are some twisted people in this world, and we have all written characters with twisted personalities, so why not take things one step further? Twisted concepts of morality, a twisted view of reality…where are the twisted concepts of love? Sure, we have straight, bisexual, and homosexual that we see all the time, but how long will those limited choices keep us or our characters happy? There are many frontiers of emotional weirdness that no one has even scratched the surface of! Let’s start exploring our characters’ emotions and sexuality further.
I say "NAY!" to boring character relationships!
I am challenging everyone to think of at least one scenario that has not been seen before! Have at it!
Now quotes from members who have replied to this thread that are helpful to the topic, and further the actual discussion; for your viewing pleasure, so you don't have to read back any amount of pages.:
Endrael
Normal relationships can be just as engrossing as odd ones, provided they're well written. This, of course, holds true for any writing. I've lost track of the number of bizarre relationship stories the I've turned away from because they were just boring or poorly written. Even torture and snuff can be engrossing, despite their abhorent nature, if they're written well enough, and I cite Poppy Z Brite's Exquisite Corpse as a prime example.
*Edit: Remember, according to Frued's theories, the only abnormal sexual relationship is having none at all.*
Let me remind you all that spam posts will not be tolerated in this thread. By this, I mean posts containing only emoticons, or less than a full sentence pertaining to the topic of this thread.
