----- Original Message -----
From: "Lawrence Chu" <chu_bear@hotmail.com>
To: "Marcelino F. Quito Jr." <marsjr@pacific.net.ph>
Cc: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 4:07 PM
Subject: [FFML] Re: [Why you are wrong][About fic writing & C&C]
Talking about common mistakes, one subject that irritates me when it
comes to characterization is that just because the great Takahashi did
not
say the character does not think a certain way doesn't mean he/she
actually
isn't. While the Ranma 1/2 author did not say Akane is a sadist she
also
did not say that that she isn't a sadist. A normal person while angry
may
say bang on a table or hit a wall but IMO will not hit constantly on
another
person. I am not saying that Akane is a sadist but there is nothing
wrong
with insinuating that she is one in a fanfic as a way of explaining her
behavior.
One good example is "The Bitter End" by the Zen master. As much as the
Akane-lovers hate it not once did the characters act OOC. Zen's
reasoning
of Akane's behavior is that she has some psycho-anger stuff. The trick
in
characterization is "do not contradict" any behavior that has been
displayed
by a character unless you have a very good reason. If Ranma calls Akane
an "uncute tomboy" in her face in a fanfic you better have a good reason
if
she doesn't blow up in anger.
Well, I'd talk about "the exception to the rule" except that this isn't an
exception. CarrotGlace DID mention that it's very well possible that, for
example, Akane may be a sadist or at least psychotic. He also mentioned
that the only believable ways for this to happen is either through
explanation/justification or through spoof.
Oh, and I have an even better example for your characterization
argument--I
think: Kasumi. Takahashi-sama never gives her any character other than
being little miss homemaker. Still, in most fanfic found out there,
you'll
see her being anything from a complete airhead to the most intelligent
person in the world to a psychohomicidal nymphomaniac with cannibalistic
tendencies. And Takahashi-sama NEVER portrays her like this, with the
POSSIBLE exception of the "Kasumi's Angry" one-shot--and even then, it's
explained in the end, and at the same time she isn't necessarily OOC
because
we really don't know what her C is. (Do we?)
Lawrence
I've always gotten the feeling that Takahashi-sama around 3-4 (vol) changed
her mind on how a LOT of the charathers were to be protrayed. And the
thrust of the tale. In One and two, Kasumi's NOT a airhead, nor is Nabiki
the "merc-b****" bound on making money at any cost. (She's shown to enjoy
mischief as much.) *shurgs* I tend to use One-five for my Kasumi and Nabiki
charz. more than the later ones in the manga. But you're right, there IS no
clear C for Kasumi.
Andrew