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Question of Character
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KyleMorris View Drop Down
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    Posted: 24 Feb 2013 at 4:06pm
Hiya y'all. Being a bit pedantic about the assigned character thing. 

What does everyone make of having to write around an assigned character?

The rulebook says the character must be a relevant character used in the story.

I'm wondering whether this means that the character has to be a main character (i.e. a protagonist/antagonist) or a peripheral character designed only to further the plot and who can be mentioned briefly  in passing (e.g. a person who delivers bad news etc.). Appreciate for any advice, help, opinion, response on the matter.   
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londongirl View Drop Down
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Points: 2699 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote londongirl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2013 at 4:10pm
The safest route is obviously to make the given character the main protagonist of your story. However, you can certainly make them a secondary character, as long as they have a strong role in the development of the story, or a strong impact on your main protag. I definitely wouldn't make them a peripheral character. If you think about it, the point of this competition is to challenge you to incorporate the assigned elements. If it was okay to just mention them and move on, where's the challenge in that?
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KyleMorris View Drop Down
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Points: 13 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KyleMorris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2013 at 4:30pm
Cheers for that. Very true - just finding it too challenging & considering shortcuts. Nothing new there. I blame my idleness.

Edited by KyleMorris - 24 Feb 2013 at 4:31pm
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Points: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote zolatone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2013 at 3:57pm
Really a mistake adding character and object in addition to genre. I've entered five or so and have been heat winner twice and finalist three times. You summed it up; with  two mandatory elements there is little room to explore possibilities.  Now it's more like a game of 'Clue' than a writing competition.
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londongirl View Drop Down
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Points: 2699 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote londongirl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2013 at 4:22pm
I don't really mind. There was always an assigned subject as well as genre. Adding one more element still leaves a lot of room for creativity.  
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Points: 215 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mukti Devi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2013 at 8:36pm
I think the 3 element assignment offers just enough challenge. I love reading the assignments from other groups and wondering where they'll go with them. Even more than that, I look forward to reading my fellow group 1-ers...I hope they make a strong appearance! Since I've already grappled with the elements, it makes me appreciate other interpretations even more. Plus, it's like a game and I LOVE a good game!

As far as the character, I think the assigned character should be pretty central, but how you interpret that character description is entirely up to you!
If you have a chance, Please review my first attempt at microfiction Here. R1 G43
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Wow! This has been fun. I am in heat 7. Sci-fi, computer programmer, retirement.

I have never written sci-fi. The closest thing I've come to it before was a ghost story. This has been so fun. I'm about to "fix" my first draft and turn it in. Best of luck everybody.
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Originally posted by londongirl londongirl wrote:

I don't really mind. There was always an assigned subject as well as genre. Adding one more element still leaves a lot of room for creativity.  
 
 
- Unless you get a freaking FIREMAN.
 
250 wrd-2024 A LIGHT DINNER FOR DRAGONS
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quit yer itching Tops and go post your logline.  
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topangarose View Drop Down
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posted!
 
By the way kyle.... to answer you original question. I found the character aspect quite limiting, while the object to be included I've always found quite exciting and challenging. Not that the character wasn't challenging, it was, but for me, not in a good way.


Edited by topangarose - 03 Mar 2013 at 2:36am
250 wrd-2024 A LIGHT DINNER FOR DRAGONS
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