Character Comparisons

Hey Blogger Buds,
It's a writing post today. Or at least an attempt at one. As you guys may know, I give out the occasional tip on writing, but I'm pretty useless at it, which is why I usually try to keep my mouth shut. But, just a few minutes ago, I started a chart, comparing two characters. They grew up together, long-standing rivals that hate each others' guts. One is a "good guy" the other is a "bad guy." And I decided they were a bit too black-and-white, good-and-evil, for my tastes.

This is what happens when you have a Chromebook. You
spend obscene amounts of time on sketchy websites to blot
out things.

Hence the chart.

As you can see by my...lovely...work of art, I tried to cover as many bases as possible without getting insanely specific. (This chart is still a work in progress, bt dubs)

I want these characters to be incredibly similar, except for the small things, like habits, and the important ones, their cores. The only real difference, in my eyes, is that one of them has more of a capacity for "change for the good" than the other. I'll explain.
"A" (that's purple, if you're curious and can't see) maintains the core belief that the one should be sacrificed for the all. This is not in any way a good, redeemable quality, because we want our heroes to be good and care about people, but A, at least, believes in sacrifice, in the greater good.
On the other hand, E (Mr. Blue up there) lacks a [normal] moral compass and believes that it's each man for himself.
Both of these men will be driven to kill. But someone who doesn't care about anyone but himself can't turn into a hero.


What am I driving at? Good question. I'm just saying that I strongly believe in the shades-of-grey characters (not to be confused with the Fifty Shades of Grey characters), and making your bad guy and your good guy mirror each other, not in a cliche way, but in a "look what Mr. Antihero* could have been" way.

I'd really love to hear your opinions on this. Thoughts, anyone?

Peace,
Riv

*No, that's not what the A stands for.

The Core of a Book

Hey Blogger Buds,
Today I'm going to try to talk about writing a bit. Now, now, before you get scared, I'm not going to try to give y'all advice. I don't think I'm nearly experienced enough for that. I also don't know why I said "y'all." I'm not a Texan in [poor] disguise. (Or am I?)
But I've stripped down books to the bare basics. This is something really obvious, and maybe some of you understand this already, and you're about to go "Duh" and click that little red X.

A book is a series of character interactions, and the shifting of relationships that results from those interactions.

Meaning?
A book is comprised of chapters, which is comprised of scenes, which is comprised of two or more characters* interacting. Animals are also characters, as is setting/nature. These interactions change characters' views and feelings, and further actions. Those are what further the plot, and carry the story through.

I haven't done this yet, but I do plan on making line graphs on character relationships. The lines will track character closeness as the story progresses, and I'm going to have it colored as well, for emotions they feel toward each other. And yes, there's a difference.

Now that I've simplified it, told you what I think of the bare basics of books, what's your opinion? Do you agree? Disagree? Agree to disagree? Was I at all helpful for once, or my normal, useless self, rambling on to bother you?

Peace,
Riv

*Of course, there are scenes where a character is just thinking. And besides for the fact that those are few and far between**, we're going to pretend that the character's conscience or Evil Drive or whatever is also a character.
**ish

Boys in YA

(First links go to Amazon, second to Goodreads)
Hey Blogger Buds,
So. Boys in YA. To be blunt:
I hates them.
I find myself always rooting for the underdog, the one she's not going to pick, obviously. So, in the Hunger Games, I knew in my gut who she'd pick, because it's just the way YA books go, but I found myself rooting for the other one. In Firelight, I was hoping she'd turn around and return to Cassian. Cam had my vote in Fallen. And I was hoping that Bethany would turn around and walk away from Xavier in Halo.

Why?
Because they're all handsome, popular, funny, smart, caring, considerate, strong, and perfect. Plus, they all have a tendency to smell wonderfully without wearing cologne, even after they were sweating through a football game in which they were the quarterback that helped their team win. And they always have dark, haunted pasts. (Do all guys need baggage?)

Take my former examples:

• In the Hunger Games, the one she picked was sweet and caring and sensitive. I won't continue, for those of you who have yet to read Mockingjay, in which case, what's wrong with you?
• Sophie Jordan's Firelight had Cassian and Xander. Xander was perfect, and Jacinda had a "magnetic pull" towards him. But of course she doesn't care that he might kill her. It would be incredible stupid if she went for the safe, caring boy who doesn't want to kill who she is, and who likes her for being what she is.
• And then Lauren Kate's quartet. I have other problems with Fallen, but mostly the way Daniel acted right off the bat. He's so mean, and Cam is so nice. And then in Torment I was right beside Shelby rooting for Miles.
• Last up: Halo. Beth knows to stay away from him, but does she? Nope.

I can go on and on, but I'd rather make a pledge:

1. I will not give my male characters an irresistible smell. If they smell, they will smell of sweat and blood, and it will not be attractive.
2. When my female character sees my male character's scars, she will not find them 'hot'. At best, she will see him as strong and fearless. At worst, she will find him repulsive. But ideally, she will not care in the least.
3. My character will not fall head over heels for a boy as soon as he pushes his floppy hair out of his face and/or takes his shirt off to reveal his always muscled chest.
4. The leading male will not make my female character sizzle when he stares into her soul with his intense, beautiful eyes.
5. My male character will not have disturbing pasts, and if they do, they will be emotionally scarred for life, and won't just be sharing their story to get some pity.

Anyone else care to take the pledge?

Peace and Boys,

Riv