Non-Human Character Discovery

B.G. Dobbins · May 21, 2013

Hi! Okay, so I posted this in basic questions, but then I thought it might be more effective to post it here, as well, since this question falls within this genre.

So I was wondering what everyone thought about characters who are not human but are unaware of this fact, and in the story they discover this. There are several successful stories that utilize this type of plot, but I want to know if you think they are clichéd at this point or if they can still be successful, engaging stories.

Some examples of what I am talking about are stories like Harry Potter, The Mortal Instruments, Hush Hush, Percy Jackson (or any number of demi god stories), etc.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

TheRob1 · May 21, 2013

Well it's basically a play on the story of the immigrant. Check out Superman and also Moses.

It's totally doable.

Liosse de Velishaf · May 21, 2013

It's kind of cheesy to me, but I've seen it work.

Wiskel · May 22, 2013

Knowing whoyour characters are is key to making it work, not what they are.

Clark Kent is a smalltown boy, raised with decent values who happens to be alien and superman.

Batman is an instrument of justice, tormented by the deaths of his parents who happens to be Bruce Wayne.

There's a very good argument to be made that Clark Kent is more human, and certainly a more rounded human, than Bruce Wayne.

Write good characters and you'll get away with almost anything.

Craig

Non-Human Character Discovery

B.G. Dobbins

TheRob1

Trained by the soft master

Liosse de Velishaf

Wiskel

practical experience, FTW