Characters and development

I've always been a fan of character driven stories. Rich diverse characters are as important as a good plot.

I've read books where the plot has been intriguing, like Star Wars; Deathstar, but the characters have been like generic cardboard cutouts drifting through it and become neither likeable nor detestable. Sort of like characters in a 90's teen slasher movie, they are there to fill a purpose and that's it.

Others, that are part of a series will try to rely on your past experiences of the character and take it as a given. There has been no real character development of Leia Organa-Solo in a Star wars book for decades, since Courtship of Princess Leia really. Then, we all know Princess Leia don't we?

It can work in a small trilogy, the Darth Bane series for example uses the whole first book developing Bane from a troubled youth to hardened soldier, wide eyed apprentice to embittered Sith master with a mission. As you've seen this journey you don't need to re-establish it in the final two books but the development goes on and you can see the rich character grow and react.

I admit that some books go to far the other way and whilst you know the characters like you would an old friend nothing seems to happen. This is indeed the case for Dostojevski's The Idiot.
Rich vivid characters but a slower paced plot which can leave readers feeling like they've waded through marmalade to get to the end.

I found Sarah Waters' The Nightwatch and The little stranger hit the nail on the head for plot vs character development. By the end you are really interested in what happens to each of the characters and how their journey ends.

The problem comes with character generation, it is really easy to stray into generic stereotypes; the brash fighter pilot, the damsel in distress, the galant knight - it takes little imagination on the part of the reader or author. It's like type casting the same old actors in movies and takes something away from the enjoyment.

So what am I doing in my character development?

Some of the people I've met in my lifetime cannot be made up and I must admit I've borrowed heavily from my friends and acquaintances and how they'd approach situations. For example Lieutenant Bell is based on my friend Caroline and how she felt about work about two years ago where as Doolan and Jonathan are two separate parts of my own personality, youthful naivety versus the realist who has realised now it is time to grow up.

I've kept the plot as a broad arc with incidents and events (some lifted from history) and given the characters to deal with them within their own personalities. That's probably why it is taking me so long to write the bloody thing!

I've always tried to write strong female characters. It is easy, especially for male writers, to keep the females as purely the love interest or in need of rescue by the gun toting hero. I've always thought that was wrong and it is refreshing to see that this is changing in books and movies. Charlotte/Caroline and Stacey are not girly girls but are trying to prove themselves in a male dominated world and profession. For Doolan, her abilities speak for themselves and she is lucky to have a female superior who has already tread the path that she is on. Hopefully they'll be well received!

Escape from reality; Skyrim

Another Personal blog.

I love the Xbox game Skyrim. I've spent many hours riding around the province, exploring the valleys, mountains, tundra and caves. I've dealt with a lot of its' denizens both hostile and friendly and yes, killed quite a few too!

But it is just a game I hear you cry.

It is more than that. I've always wanted a fully immersible game, one you can interact with fully. Grand Theft Auto was good for that, the whole of the San Andreas to drive around, loads of side missions to do and plenty of people to interact with but it lacked substance. The dialogue was very limited and you could only access certain buildings.

Skyrim offers so much more. You can get into pretty much all of the buildings (depending on lock picking skill), talk to pretty much most people with most having individual dialogue and you are free from the oppressive need to do the Story missions.

This is what I have always wanted in a game, the freedom to do what I want a wander where I like.

There are problems. I've chosen the side of the Legion in the Civil War & thus I'm attacked by Stormcloaks as well as thieves, undead, beasts, dragons and magic wielding hill folk on my travels. Most can be outrun or fought but it makes journeying interesting.
I'm fairly law abiding having been caught stealing once but otherwise have no issues with the Hold's constabulary.

Aela, my Skyrim wife

I've got two houses, one in Riften and one in Whiterun, a Housecarl and a wife; Aela the Huntress. Although I don't see her often I do take her cool equipment and weapons for her.

I'm starting to sound like a geek aren't I?

Well, I am a geek. I like the escape from this world, the boring grey work, the trains, the bills, everything...

I like sitting astride my horse surveying the valley below, the mammoth being herded by giants, the deer chewing grass, the ruined Dwarven cities and ramshackle Nord fortifications. I can deeply immerse myself in this world and forget, just for an hour or two, that Chris exists - there is only Uglúk the Orc warrior charging into battle in armour made of Dragon scales armed with a two handed black Ebony sword. Slayer of men, bane of giants, hunter, blacksmith, miner, Companion, Werewolf and Legionary.

What isn't there to like?

Escapism is one of the best things a human being can do. Although I try and write, I draw a lot of parallels from my own life and friends. Most of the heroes are oppressed, shy, feel undervalued, desperate to escape. I read extensively too but there is nothing like dipping (or plunging) into another realm and mine is Skyrim. It is where I feel happy.