see tags first
Jan. 31st, 2013 01:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
exile_kidI'm not against making characters before plot or premise. I've done that many times.
But then some people are only concerned with making character template. Nice design, interesting biography, grand personality... But completely forget why or how the character are like that. Sometimes people only make a character because of something they see in anime/games/TV Tropes. Not necessarily bad if you can write something unique and interesting later, tho.
This can work well in RPs where there is no absolute plot, because mods cannot predict characters's movement precisely. If they insist on a predetermined plot, some characters could drop out or be left behind because they have little chance to participate. But even a free RP have basic premise or story in mind.
If in writing fiction/story/whatever, this could end bad.
True, in any story you have ever come across, you will always remember the characters first. But loveable characters are loved because they do something, not because they are bunch of traits and handsome body parts. I know some fans only like a character because s/he is handsome, but let's leave that part.If you remember a story only because of handsome characters, it might not be a good story anyway. or you are just inattentive.
Plot decides what characters do. Plot decides how the story/premise is executed.
Harry Potter fandom, for example, (may) like Hermione because she's a strong young lady, smart, not afraid to be herself, etc etc. How do you show and tell that Hermione is strong and smart? Through story. Which is constructed by plot.
I can write Selena as an equally strong and smart girl in her profile. Gosh, will not she look great? But if I execute it poorly, she could end like Bella Swan.
But then some people are only concerned with making character template. Nice design, interesting biography, grand personality... But completely forget why or how the character are like that. Sometimes people only make a character because of something they see in anime/games/TV Tropes. Not necessarily bad if you can write something unique and interesting later, tho.
This can work well in RPs where there is no absolute plot, because mods cannot predict characters's movement precisely. If they insist on a predetermined plot, some characters could drop out or be left behind because they have little chance to participate. But even a free RP have basic premise or story in mind.
If in writing fiction/story/whatever, this could end bad.
True, in any story you have ever come across, you will always remember the characters first. But loveable characters are loved because they do something, not because they are bunch of traits and handsome body parts. I know some fans only like a character because s/he is handsome, but let's leave that part.
Plot decides what characters do. Plot decides how the story/premise is executed.
Harry Potter fandom, for example, (may) like Hermione because she's a strong young lady, smart, not afraid to be herself, etc etc. How do you show and tell that Hermione is strong and smart? Through story. Which is constructed by plot.
I can write Selena as an equally strong and smart girl in her profile. Gosh, will not she look great? But if I execute it poorly, she could end like Bella Swan.
