What happens to your characters vs what they do

Feathers · Apr 19, 2008

The best piece of writing advice I ever got was to not make readers wonder what will happen next to your characters, but to make them wonder what they will do next.

I just read this on a blog (sorry, can't remember the title,) and it struck me in a huge way. I was never aware that this was a problem. And the thing is, the warning is exactly how I write - everything is always HAPPENING to my characters, in this spinning-out-of-control type of way.

I mean, there is a median. It's not like my characters just sit there waiting for things to crumble around them. It's just that they barely have time to respond to problem A before they're presented with problem B, and they figure things out as they struggle with staying safe. Every time they go out and do something it gets cut short by something else, so they react, and then they act, and that gets cut short...But slowly they do more acting than reacting until the finale where they best the Bad Guy.

It's just the way I write. I've tried doing it the other way, action instead of reaction, but it always stumped me. And I've seen plenty of things like this...mostly spy stuff/international thrillers. (Bourne Trilogy, The Watchman, Mission Impossible, etc.)

So now I'm worried...by working all this time having my characters react, have I been dragging my writing down? Is this something I should try to change? *gack*choke*whimper*

Yikes. Opinions, please.

-Feathers

JustGo · Apr 19, 2008

I don't think you're in much trouble. If you're leaving the reader wondering "How are they going to get out of this?" then you're probably all set, and it sounds like that's the sort of thing you're doing. What really matters is that the readers feel that your characters are more than leaves blown in the wind.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 19, 2008

The way I understand storytelling, you'll write a more compelling novel if the things that happen to your character happen as a result of their choices. The problems that crop up may indeed surprise to them because they are the unintended consequences of their choices. Generally speaking, a character is more interesting if he's driving the story rather than just along for the ride.

Example 1: Character is driving safely and gets broadsided by some drunk. Slightly interesting.

Example 2: Character is obsessing about her problems and runs a red light, resulting in a drunk broadsiding her. More interesting because she has a part in the accident.

Example 3: Character is furious about something and driving recklessly and causes a major accident. We now have all kinds of fun things to work with: Guilt, blame, possibly deceit (depending on the character), lawsuits, maybe fleeing the scene ... you get the picture.

A good book to read on this subject is How To Write A Damn Good Novel.

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

I think it's more interesting to read about characters who look at a situation in a certain way, and act on it. It definitely builds a stronger character. And quite frankly, characters to whom "things just happen all the time" end up looking like wimps.

On the other hand, it can be fun when something "just happens" to a character who likes to be in control of everything, and for once they're left helpless. Especially when we hate this character. LOL!

Feathers · Apr 19, 2008

I think it's more interesting to read about characters who look at a situation in a certain way, and act on it. It definitely builds a stronger character. And quite frankly, characters to whom "things just happen all the time" end up looking like wimps.

That's the thing. I agree. But I never saw my stuff that way, and now I'm wondering if I never saw the obvious, or if there's a difference and I just can't word it right. My gut says there's a difference. But I want to be sure.

-Feathers

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

I guess you can have a strong character who things happen to, but the reader won't learn their strong unless they see them in action.

stuckupmyownera · Apr 19, 2008

I have exactly the same problem. In my WIP, which I love dearly, my main character is always reacting, never acting. In fact, it's the antagonist that drives the story, not the protagonist at all.

'They' say it's wrong; that a hero should be heroic, but I know my story is a good one; I know it is.

They also say rules are made to be broken

I guess you just have to be sure.

loquax · Apr 19, 2008

I realised this a couple of years ago an have been trying to make my characters more proactive ever since. It's a lot harder to write that way, but it ensures your character is a part of the story, rather than a victim of it.

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

Isn't a hero who doesn't take action, but things happen to called an anti-hero? Or is that a person who takes action, but not because they have good intentions?

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 19, 2008

Brutal Mustang said:
Isn't a hero who doesn't take action, but things happen to called an anti-hero? Or is that a person who takes action, but not because they have good intentions?

I've never heard of an anti-hero.

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

Really?

Feathers · Apr 19, 2008

'They' say it's wrong; that a hero should be heroic, but I know my story is a good one; I know it is.

Exactly. Kudos to us

But if there's some merit to the fact, then I want to consider it.

I realised this a couple of years ago an have been trying to make my characters more proactive ever since. It's a lot harder to write that way, but it ensures your character is a part of the story, rather than a victim of it.

Hmm. I like victim stories. Maybe that's my problem? I think the difference is that i'm not setting out to write a pity-party story, but more a "Day After Tomorrow" type "the world just got insane, and how do I deal?" story.

Hmm. A lot of good opinions.

-Feathers

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 19, 2008

Brutal Mustang said:
Really?

An anti-hero is like Holden Cauffield, or Tyler Durden? I guess I have heard of that.

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

Yeah. Professor Snape in the Harry Potter books is also considered an anti-hero.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 19, 2008

Brutal Mustang said:
Yeah. Professor Snape in the Harry Potter books is also considered an anti-hero.

Oh, I thought Snape was an antagonist. At least, he seems to fill that role when Voldemort is busy.

CDarklock · Apr 19, 2008

Feathers said:
I was never aware that this was a problem. And the thing is, the warning is exactly how I write - everything is always HAPPENING to my characters, in this spinning-out-of-control type of way.

I think this is fine. What matters is where your reader sits most of the time - is he sitting where things have happened, and the characters must do something, or where the characters have done something and now things must happen?

There's a particular problem in fantasy writing where the author is so in love with the world, and wants everything to be so perfect, that it becomes a polished jewel where things are lovely and peaceful. It's all green fields and pretty flowers and butterflies flittering past rainbows while the unicorns drink from the spring. So something happens, oh dear! - and the characters fix it in a couple paragraphs, yay! - and then there are ten pages of prettiness and history and culture and geography.

Which is all well and good, but it's not a compelling story. Story is about tension. It's about things being wrong, things needing to be fixed, and your characters being the ones that need to fix them. That tension is what makes the reader turn the next page. It's the time between problem and solution - not between solution and problem - where the majority of your story should take place.

What can get confusing is that lack of tension in the story creates tension outside of it... and sometimes that can make the reader turn the next page, too. The difference is largely that the reader is turning the page in frustration, unfulfilled. Your book gets read, but it doesn't get recommended, and your next one probably doesn't reach that reader.

Matera the Mad · Apr 19, 2008

My MC does not think of himself as a hero, and from his perspective, things seem to just happen to him a lot. All he wants is a good night's sleep with no worry about his friends' safety. I, the god of his universe, know that things happen because of him, not just to him. His decisions change the direction of events. I know -- and I think the readers will know -- that when he acts heroically without thinking, he is a sho'nuff hero.

dark_opus · Apr 19, 2008

"Taking action" versus "Being acted upon."

Seems like you should strive for a blend of the two and the nature of your story, the genre, style, etc., will help determine the weighting one way versus the other. You've spotted the distinction and thus are becoming armed and dangerous regarding it. Now it's a matter of putting it into practice and the more you do it (and read it and contemplate it), the easy it should become over time.

ishtar'sgate · Apr 19, 2008

Brutal Mustang said:
I guess you can have a strong character who things happen to, but the reader won't learn their strong unless they see them in action.

True, but their action arises from the things that happen to them so you've got a bit of both going on. How do they respond to the situation? Do they meet the challenge with strength or weakness? I think it's a balancing act and you need both.
Linnea

Brutal Mustang · Apr 19, 2008

ishtar'sgate said:
True, but their action arises from the things that happen to them so you've got a bit of both going on. How do they respond to the situation? Do they meet the challenge with strength or weakness? I think it's a balancing act and you need both.
Linnea

Yeah, but isn't Feather describing one thing after another happening to a character, leaving them with little time to think, and instead quickly react just enough to survive ... as in, they are never given a chance to try and take charge of their situation?

You know who comes to mind? Lucy Ricardo. She was always trying to take charge of things around her. Of course, it was always a disaster, but boy, did she try! And it was fun to watch her try! :ROFL:

jennontheisland · Apr 19, 2008

It's the things that happen to characters that allow them to act, to do the next thing. Character's actions are almost always a reaction to some kind of stimulus, block in their path, or life threatening experience.

How characters react to what happens to them gives a reader greater insight into the characters emotional make-up and state than merely watching the characters run around and instigate things does.

loquax · Apr 20, 2008

Hero/Anti-Hero is something completely different all together. Anti-heroes are protagonists who make questionable decisions, often selfishly driven. My favourite anti-hero, and the best example I can think of, is Steerpike in the Gormenghast trilogy. He's definitely an evil character, but you're rooting for him all the way.

Mr Flibble · Apr 20, 2008

CDarklock said:
There's a particular problem in fantasy writing where the author is so in love with the world, and wants everything to be so perfect, that it becomes a polished jewel where things are lovely and peaceful. It's all green fields and pretty flowers and butterflies flittering past rainbows while the unicorns drink from the spring. So something happens, oh dear! - and the characters fix it in a couple paragraphs, yay! - and then there are ten pages of prettiness and history and culture and geography.

What fantasy are you reading, because that doesn't sound like any fantasy I've ever read ( and I'd like to avoid it!)?

My only problem is every time my MC decides 'right, I've got to do something' she ends up killing someone.Not always on purpose either.

CDarklock · Apr 20, 2008

IdiotsRUs said:
What fantasy are you reading, because that doesn't sound like any fantasy I've ever read ( and I'd like to avoid it!)?

I usually see this problem in amateur and self-published works; the sort of thing you buy at a convention in chapbook or spiral-bound format.

Yeah, yeah, I know. "Don't buy that crap." But you see these people, and they're so happy, and they've written this book or these stories... and who knows? Maybe they're honestly not getting a fair shake. Maybe this is an awesome book. The odds are better than any casino, that's for sure.

maestrowork · Apr 20, 2008

What happens to your characters can be interesting all in itself (ooh, a hurricane! oooh, a murder!) but it's how they resolve the situation, how they create conflicts with each other, how they react, etc. etc. -- that is, what they DO that is more important. It's what they do that drives the plot. The more active your characters are, the more engaging the story, and the more twists and turns you can have because plot is all about choices.

It's interesting to see what Katrina did to the people down in the Gulf coast, but it's more riveting to see what these people do before, during and after that disaster.

What happens to your characters vs what they do

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