matching tone to content

KiwiChick · Nov 8, 2006

My new WIP, as I see it, is a serious fantasy novel about deep social issues (though I try not to throw that in the reader's face), in which at least two of the three main characters are expected to die. However, my main character is a rather unserious (is that a word?) person and the beginning of the book, I think, has a rather flippant tone. When I posted in SYW I believe someone called it a cross between Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett.

Basically, should I be worried? I wouldn't want a reader to pick it up expecting light entertainment and feel cheated when it got heavier as it went along. I know I could make the beginning darker, but I don't think that would be in keeping with my POV character's nature.

Opinions?

KiwiChick

TrainofThought · Nov 8, 2006

Don’t be worried. Characters build as the story moves and unexpected situations cause change in their demeanor and emotions. I think a character that remains the same throughout is boring. The characters need to evolve for the story and the reader to remain intrigued.

In addition, the marketing of your book tells the reader about the story and the issues it presents.

As a side note, I think if you want to accomplish a serious fantasy novel then you should ‘show’ the deep social issues to the reader. Just my opinion.

EngineerTiger · Nov 8, 2006

A cross between Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett? That sounds fun!

On a more serious note, foreshadowing is tricky. Is there a way you could work in a prologue so the reader is clued from the start that this is a darker work without giving away too much? Or, perhaps at the beginning of the chapter, find a quote from somewhere that does the job for you? It think it was Mary Stewart in some of her mystery books that used that technique and it can be interesting if handled properly.

underthecity · Nov 8, 2006

If the character's personality is flippant or "unserious," then no matter what the subject of the book, he should act true to his character. This also gives him a great potential for development as the book progresses. Perhaps he becomes more serious due to changing circumstances.

And since he's acting contrary to how the reader might expect him due to the tone of the book, I think it would make him more interesting.

allen

aghast · Nov 8, 2006

your character can be flippant and lighthearted contrary to your story but your narrative should use the right tone - tone,style etc should match your story, you dont want your horror story sounds like a skit comedy or vice versa unless thats your intent

janetbellinger · Nov 8, 2006

I have seen this done very successfully in "An Evening of Long Goodbyes." The narrator was extremely flippant and yet there was a very dark undertone to the story.

Simon Woodhouse · Nov 8, 2006

I try to match the two. But then again, I find it very hard to write light-hearted characters. My MCs are never manic-depressives or anything like that, but they've usually been dealt a few blows and this affects their outlook on life.

sfecphory · Nov 8, 2006

"A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket is a young reader's series with dark tone (the kids' parents die in the first chapter and the orphans bounce through horrors afterward) with a comic touch. I don't think that light-hearted tone and dark endings are mutually exclusive. In fact, it sounds like growing up.

Rolling Thunder · Nov 8, 2006

Kiwi,

I think when you go from WIP to finished first draft and put it in a drawer for a few weeks, you'll be able to answer that question for yourself. Once you start the second draft you'll know if it still feels right or not.

citymouse · Nov 10, 2006

KC you got off easy. A reviewer referred to my first book as "Pretty Woman meets 007"!

KiwiChick · Nov 10, 2006

citymouse said:
KC you got off easy. A reviewer referred to my first book as "Pretty Woman meets 007"!

I'd take that as a compliment!

If you take the funny out of Terry Pratchett I'm not sure what you have left.

KiwiChick

Nakhlasmoke · Nov 13, 2006

Remember that Pterry, despite being a humour writer, or perhaps because of it, still deals with serious issues (I'm talking the later books here).

The world is never one dimensional. Write the story as you need to write it, and then give it to some beta readers. they'll soon let you know if the flippant tone works or is at odds with the rest of the tone of the novel.

matching tone to content

KiwiChick

Editing like a caffeinated chipmunk

TrainofThought

A flowering bud of bitchiness

EngineerTiger

Writing HF Again, Thank God

underthecity

Finestkind

aghast

janetbellinger

Simon Woodhouse

sfecphory

Rolling Thunder

citymouse

fantasy dweller

KiwiChick

Editing like a caffeinated chipmunk

Nakhlasmoke

yes