"Hi, my name is Tiana and I don't write idealistic characters".
So my screenname on here is Metruis, appearing as Ariane. Shhh.
Idealism! It's a trait commonly seen in sci-fi and fantasy... SFF for short. You see it in, oh, I don't know--LUKE SKYWALKER--ever heard of him? No? Oh, okay. And various others. It's a coming-of-age story necessity. It's almost always seen in Quest stories.
And I don't write it.
Now, those who know me (ohhhhhhhhh... none of you...) know I'm very against stereotypical writing. I've seen it all. I started in fanfic... now I write original fic... I started in fanfic and READ fanfic too. And liked it. I now read novels. I did then. And it's very hard to keep my interest. I'm almost tempted to try for a career as a literary agent or editor just because of my cruel critical streak and knowledge of what's cliché, and what's not. Now, I'm certainly not claiming to know it all. Most definately not.
But I don't write idealism.
Ironically, as much as I am against idealistic characters, I don't dislike the idealistic character that grows to become a broody cynic. A cliche? Definately. In fact, it seems most stories are completely made up of the naive, idealistic farmboyish character, and the broody, gloomy cynic.
What defines idealism, beyond optimistic hope for the future? How can you make these characters? And why doesn't T write them?! Yet, why does she approve of a cliche?!! That's the big question. Read on, dear readers (...? Readers? What are those? I'm probably just ranting for myself.)
( Read more... )
This post also made to test cuts. Anyway.