When characters do the unthinkable
- Thread starter Ruv Draba
- Start date
- Status
What is the unthinkable, exactly? Murder, arson, having sex? Or simply something they wouldn't do on their right mind?
I don't think I understand your question, but I suspect 'to make the story better' might be the answer.
My MC is a gutter punk. Her personality would surprise the hell out of anyone that is far on the outside of the scene, because of the front that punks routinely put up.
The unthinkable is when my characters run off and totally do their own thing, screwing up my story in the process.
Then I have to throw out a bunch words and write the real story. Argh. It's a bittersweet experience.
Then I have to throw out a bunch words and write the real story. Argh. It's a bittersweet experience.
Seems very arrogant to assume it's your story. After all, you're just the writer - your characters are the ones who are living it.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 24,466
- Reaction score
- 12,761
- Location
- Enchanted Forest and/or editing cave
- Website
- bettielee.wordpress.com
I love it when they run off and do what they want - it means that what I wanted was probably wrong.
I generally run after them and see what they do.
I generally run after them and see what they do.
If my characters run off and do something of their own accord, it's always because they know themselves better than I do.
Realize that the past is past and attempt to find happiness on the little things of life without caring about the missed oportunities. (Then, I wouldn't have a bloody novel)
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2007
- Messages
- 5,114
- Reaction score
- 1,322
Let's say that George is a quiet, middle-aged store-clerk with a marriage of 23 years. He's always been faithful to his wife, whom he loves. For a hobby he restores antique furniture.
The unexpected is if George falls in love with the boy next door. The unthinkable is if he ties his wife up in the tool-shed and slowly eats her alive.
The unexpected is a staple of fiction. Unpexpected twists of plot or character maintain reader interest. Selling the unexpected is a matter of providing the right stimulus/response... We might learn how George hates how he's growing old... how he yearns for his youth, how he almost had a gay affair in his teens, and how his middle age is rekindling that... That's the unexpected.
The unthinkable is a much harder sell. George is stable and loves his wife. Why would he possibly do something so callous, cruel and destructive as eat her alive? Stimulus/response is not enough to sell the unthinkable. We need to make a compelling, passionate argument as to why this action is the only one George can take.
The unexpected surprises us. The unthinkable typically shocks and sometimes horrifies us. The unexpected keeps us reading. The unthinkable sometimes makes a novel unforgettable.
So, when do you have a character do the unthinkable? Why? When would you rather not have the unthinkable in your story? Why not? At what point in your writing do you decide: I need to introduce the unthinkable here? And how do you decide what sort of unthinkable thing to introduce?
The unexpected is if George falls in love with the boy next door. The unthinkable is if he ties his wife up in the tool-shed and slowly eats her alive.
The unexpected is a staple of fiction. Unpexpected twists of plot or character maintain reader interest. Selling the unexpected is a matter of providing the right stimulus/response... We might learn how George hates how he's growing old... how he yearns for his youth, how he almost had a gay affair in his teens, and how his middle age is rekindling that... That's the unexpected.
The unthinkable is a much harder sell. George is stable and loves his wife. Why would he possibly do something so callous, cruel and destructive as eat her alive? Stimulus/response is not enough to sell the unthinkable. We need to make a compelling, passionate argument as to why this action is the only one George can take.
The unexpected surprises us. The unthinkable typically shocks and sometimes horrifies us. The unexpected keeps us reading. The unthinkable sometimes makes a novel unforgettable.
So, when do you have a character do the unthinkable? Why? When would you rather not have the unthinkable in your story? Why not? At what point in your writing do you decide: I need to introduce the unthinkable here? And how do you decide what sort of unthinkable thing to introduce?
I don't introduce the unthinkable; that usually means I'm trying to make my characters act out of character.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2007
- Messages
- 5,114
- Reaction score
- 1,322
I think you write erotica S'peaches -- but isn't the essence of titillation introducing the unthinkable into sex? I don't necessarily mean the most depraved acts one can think of, but consider location and circumstance. An unexpected circumstance is titillating, but isn't an unthinkable circumstance unforgettable?
Do your characters ever have sex in unthinkable circumstances? Are you able to (ahem) pull it off so that the reader believes it?
Absolutely not.
The trick is to make the sex act sensual and enjoyable for both character and reader; introducing the 'unthinkable' just for the sake of it is edging into porn territory.
The 'unthinkable' in this instance would be something like having my female MC shag an Alsation or make sweet love to a shopping trolley with the alien tentacles she just found growing out of her big toe.
To add: anyone who thinks that throwing so-called 'unthinkable' acts at the page makes for a sensual, erotic read obviously doesn't read or write much erotica.
The very word 'unthinkable' should make it plain the characters wouldn't think of doing it.
Unexpected? Like...giving someone a blow job in their office? Yes. Done that. (Written about it I mean, as for have I done it, NOYB).
Unthinkable? Like...necrophilia or paedophilia? Unthinkable acts are, by their very definition, not erotic. One has to desire something to find it a turn on, and...well, let's just say I don't know of any erotica publishers of quality who would condone such writings. Nor would I produce them.
The very word 'unthinkable' should make it plain the characters wouldn't think of doing it.
Unexpected? Like...giving someone a blow job in their office? Yes. Done that. (Written about it I mean, as for have I done it, NOYB).
Unthinkable? Like...necrophilia or paedophilia? Unthinkable acts are, by their very definition, not erotic. One has to desire something to find it a turn on, and...well, let's just say I don't know of any erotica publishers of quality who would condone such writings. Nor would I produce them.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 20,770
- Reaction score
- 2,726
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Website
- www.gallagherwitt.com
I'm failing to see how "unthinkable" would make a sex scene titillating. I write erotica as well, but I wouldn't use "unthinkable" to describe anything that's happened in any of my sex scenes. Well, barring the gang rape scene in a fantasy novel, but that was hardly intended to be erotic, titillating, or anything but horrifying.
If I want to titillate with a sex scene (which I do, but my sex scenes serve numerous other purposes as well), I'm going to capitalize on what I know about the senses, sexuality, etc. Not shock value.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 20,770
- Reaction score
- 2,726
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Website
- www.gallagherwitt.com
but don't you control them basically, can make em do whatever the hell they want...I mean that might not be cause for an awesome story but you're playing it out....by proxy?
Sorry, I was making the point that if I tried to control my characters...good god. They'd laugh so hard they'd bust a nut.
Is this the "characters are real" thing again? Characters don't do anything unless the author writes them doing something. If they act on their own, I would stop drinking.
- Status