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Author Topic: Make me a character, please?  (Read 4854 times)

G-Flex

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #30 on: December 28, 2011, 02:56:01 am »

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with backstory, but it's super delicate to take care in how it's expositioned and dealt with in the story.  Inigo Montoya's driven by revenge for his father, but he's not a mopey dude.  He's actually got a day to day life dealing with present issues, he has a job working for Vizzini, all of that.  His past isn't an emotional button that the writer pushes to make us feel sad, even though it is a sad backstory.  What it is, most importantly, is something that gives context to who Inigo is, and what he's about.

I'm not really sure The Princess Bride is the best example to use here, as it's essentially parody to begin with. You're right, though.
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Capntastic

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #31 on: December 28, 2011, 03:02:08 am »

I don't think parody is the right word to use at all.  It's certainly got some tongue-in-cheek aspects but it's a solid book in its own right.
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G-Flex

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #32 on: December 28, 2011, 03:05:09 am »

Well, if it's a parody, it's definitely an affectionate one. It's definitely an intentional and tongue-in-cheek homage to a particular genre, if not outright parody.

Also: "Parody" does not imply that it's degrading to that which it parodies, or that it can't stand on its own. However, pretty much anyone who reads/watches The Princess Bride is going to recognize the genre staples it's paying homage to, so it's not like it's even possible to view it in a vacuum anyway.
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Capntastic

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #33 on: December 28, 2011, 03:12:23 am »

(This aside is going in increasingly odd directions)

Parody does have connotations of trivializing the work being parodied, even if it's not ill-natured.  Consider Shrek.  I'd argue that simply being a fairytale kind of story being made in a modern era, it's going to be self-aware to some degree, and the author (S. Morgenstern) plays on this.
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G-Flex

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #34 on: December 28, 2011, 03:30:21 am »

Parody does have connotations of trivializing the work being parodied, even if it's not ill-natured.

There might be connotations there in general, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily true of all parody. But I guess that's a matter of semantics.

Quote
I'd argue that simply being a fairytale kind of story being made in a modern era, it's going to be self-aware to some degree, and the author (S. Morgenstern) plays on this.

It's more than that. The author even included metafictional elements. For example, "S. Morgenstern" isn't even a real person; the printed version of The Princess Bride is an allegedly abridged version of an allegedly full version allegedly written by an alleged author (S. Morgenstern) who does not exist. So it's not even just an homage to that genre of fiction, it's an homage to that genre's authorship and publication style.
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Capntastic

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #35 on: December 28, 2011, 03:39:55 am »

I'm aware of all of that, but within the context of the book, the unabridged Morgenstern version is more of a dry historical account than a fantasy story.   That's the crux of the 'reason' it got published in an abridged form. 
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schrocko88

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #36 on: December 28, 2011, 11:26:15 pm »

Okay, I'm loving the few I have gotten so far. But I need a name for a pet squirrel. And, anymore people you guys can think up. Thanks, homies!
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Capntastic

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #37 on: December 29, 2011, 12:25:36 am »

Entitlement the Squirrel
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G-Flex

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #38 on: December 29, 2011, 02:41:12 am »

Erasmus Blackfountain, Dirge of Forsaken Earths.
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Brackev

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #39 on: December 30, 2011, 11:24:03 am »

Jane Shimler

fighter type with a light mace.
Average looks with black hair and strong build.
A German Shapard dog is the only family she has left.  She looks to the dog to make all her important decisions.  The dog is a good judge of charactor while she is a horrible one.  The dog has a protectionist personallity.  The dog wears a collar inlayed with onyx.
She grew up in an orphanage and has a weak spot for children and especially street kids.  Her real family's fate is unknown.  She is unsure of herself and is co-dependant on her dog.  She does her best to not get emotionally attached to people and openly declaires she will never get married.
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DarkWolfXV

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #40 on: December 30, 2011, 06:27:02 pm »

Make a character that has plenty of mental disorders and is hard to understand, seems like falling apart, but is very intelligent, also physically weak and maybe something like he/she has assymetric eye color, i mean heterohomia or whatever its called. Like one eye blue one green.  Acts very strange and no one likes him, but if you look deep into him, you see one of most intelligent people you have ever seen in your life.
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G-Flex

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #41 on: December 30, 2011, 06:38:22 pm »

Make a character that has plenty of mental disorders and is hard to understand, seems like falling apart, but is very intelligent, also physically weak and maybe something like he/she has assymetric eye color, i mean heterohomia or whatever its called. Like one eye blue one green.  Acts very strange and no one likes him, but if you look deep into him, you see one of most intelligent people you have ever seen in your life.

This is pretty excellent parody of most fanfiction. Go with this. Mary Sue this joint up like a son of a bitch.
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Grakelin

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #42 on: December 31, 2011, 04:49:56 pm »

Entitlement the Squirrel

I might think you have terrible communication skills, but I think you're great, Capntastic.
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Capntastic

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #43 on: December 31, 2011, 11:07:09 pm »

Me Too
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Cthulhu

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Re: Make me a character, please?
« Reply #44 on: January 03, 2012, 04:09:00 am »

Brope Honderpurpen:

This girl puts you in mind of a randy demon. She has beady purple eyes. Her fine, straight, coffee-colored hair is worn in a style that reminds you of a pile of shredded paper. She is very tall and has a slender build. Her skin is chocolate-brown. She has a small nose and thin lips. Her wardrobe is revealing, with a lot of green.

Brettum Ichaels

This wise guy has round blue eyes that are like two sapphires. His luxurious, straight, yellow hair is worn in a style that reminds you of a burning fire. He is tall and has a masculine build. His skin is white. He has a wide forehead. His wardrobe is simple, and is completely green and white.
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