Right-brained musings on my protagonist
Dec. 12th, 2004 01:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raefinlayDo any of you have characters that you struggle to bring to life? Characters that you maybe, even, dislike, a little?
My challenge character is Allura. Intelligent, kind, self-sacrificing, shy... and I canNOT write her effectively. Unfortunately, she is my main protagonist. Aaargh. There's a strategic error for you.
Khatire is no problem. She is jaded yet maternal. Practical yet impulsive. I relate to Khatire.
Mara is similar. Full of teen-aged angst, saucy, mischievous... I relate to her too.
But Allura... All that kindness and selflessness. She actually prefers that someone else take center stage. Her greatest joy is to see someone she loves succeed. She is the classic bystander, and happy to be there, anonymous, on the sidelines. She's a much better woman than I. Maybe I disrespect her for it. (I'm a jerk.)
But tonight I had a breakthrough. I realized that Allura has a strength that is unique and enviable. She's been trained to observe, and this plot element has the potential to create a tight but revealing POV, if I let it. If I don't allow my own personality to defile hers, I might end up with something darn cool.
I meant for her to be the "side-kick" all along, but it's easier said than done when you're a person who likes to be the center of attention. Finally (16 chapters later), I'm getting to know her, to respect her, enough to write her effectively. Poor Allura. Sorry I've been so long about it, sweetheart.
My challenge character is Allura. Intelligent, kind, self-sacrificing, shy... and I canNOT write her effectively. Unfortunately, she is my main protagonist. Aaargh. There's a strategic error for you.
Khatire is no problem. She is jaded yet maternal. Practical yet impulsive. I relate to Khatire.
Mara is similar. Full of teen-aged angst, saucy, mischievous... I relate to her too.
But Allura... All that kindness and selflessness. She actually prefers that someone else take center stage. Her greatest joy is to see someone she loves succeed. She is the classic bystander, and happy to be there, anonymous, on the sidelines. She's a much better woman than I. Maybe I disrespect her for it. (I'm a jerk.)
But tonight I had a breakthrough. I realized that Allura has a strength that is unique and enviable. She's been trained to observe, and this plot element has the potential to create a tight but revealing POV, if I let it. If I don't allow my own personality to defile hers, I might end up with something darn cool.
I meant for her to be the "side-kick" all along, but it's easier said than done when you're a person who likes to be the center of attention. Finally (16 chapters later), I'm getting to know her, to respect her, enough to write her effectively. Poor Allura. Sorry I've been so long about it, sweetheart.
