tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post113505048629560553..comments2023-09-23T04:56:51.617-07:00Comments on Forensics & Faith: Song Lyrics--Part 2~ Brandilyn Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04771812607327238979noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1135200923424620512005-12-21T13:35:00.000-08:002005-12-21T13:35:00.000-08:00I think that's it....making the characters HUMAN.....I think that's it....making the characters HUMAN...sure, they do stupid things, make bad choices, but if I can see them with weaknesses and vulnerablities, then I WILL root for them, bad choices and all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06507129192655971640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1135088809641828552005-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:002005-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00Camy - have you read James Scott Bell's book Plot ...Camy - have you read James Scott Bell's book Plot & Structure? He has a section called the LOCK system for building a solid novel that talks about making readers care about your characters. He's posted about the LOCK system on his website here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.jamesscottbell.com/tips.htmlC.J. Darlingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16541599888177703695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1135088194487096552005-12-20T06:16:00.000-08:002005-12-20T06:16:00.000-08:00Another powerful think about Lyrics is that they i...Another powerful think about Lyrics is that they invoke the imagination with just the right wording to get you to envision the rest of the story.<BR/><BR/>Letting the person hearing them build mental images based on the framework of the song that endears the characters and their plight even more.<BR/><BR/>Something to be said for pinpoint vagueness at times ;)Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01319201996699675786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1135072330187944142005-12-20T01:52:00.000-08:002005-12-20T01:52:00.000-08:00Thanks for doing this series, Brandilyn. This is a...Thanks for doing this series, Brandilyn. This is a question I've been wrestling with a lot lately.<BR/><BR/>So if I'm understanding what you're saying, reader sympathy goes back to the basics, Desire. The character should have a desire and motivation--or maybe even just motivation?--that is <I>universally understandable.</I> In this case, caring for others, his family. In another story, maybe it would be belonging and acceptance, or forgiveness, or peace.<BR/><BR/>In their being the underdog, they are both weak and determined. We can relate to the weakness and admire the determination.<BR/><BR/>Now that's interesting. If they were powerful and confident, I wouldn't care about them. They'd be just bad, powerful men. But their weakness--their naivete--brings them to <I>my</I> level as the reader, makes them human and understandable. I think that's why I worry about them, even though logically I know what they're doing is wrong.<BR/><BR/>I'm beginning to see where you're going. It's like the TV show "Prison Break." The premise is a guy with an elaborate, clever plan to break his brother out of prison. Logically, I know that's wrong. But I root for the characters because of the protag's deep love for his brother, and his position of weakness as the underdog.<BR/><BR/>Your last point is especially powerful. The characters are given an incredible amount to lose. The stakes are sky high. I care about them already because of their desire, motivation, underdog status. But I really fear for them because of the DANGER they're in.<BR/><BR/>That's the next step, right? You build a character with Desire, Motivation, some flaw or weakness. Then you put them in Conflict or Danger.<BR/><BR/>Aaahhh. Bright light moment. It's very subtle emotional manipulation.<BR/><BR/>This is great! Thanks!<BR/>CamyCamy Tanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com