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    calidris replied to the topic Character Castle 2.0 in the forum Fantasy Writers 3 years, 8 months ago

    @e-n-leonard

    Thanks so much for your answers! I do like to categorize things, but I was a bit concerned about not wanting a label to wind up defining a character. Which isn’t really an actual issue for me because my characters are themselves and categorizing them other ways doesn’t change that. So unnecessary worry?

    I do think it’s a valid concern, but since you’re concerned about it, I doubt it’ll be an issue because it’s already something you’re trying to avoid.  If it helps, I try to use character traits that could become “labels” as a background to explain actions, rather than adding actions because they relate to a trait.  So, for this example, I don’t make characters do things because they’re autistic, but I do let the autism explain the things they do.  The same thing goes for character flaws, struggles, or trauma that could become a potential label.  So, I don’t purposefully give Kit “queer” traits because he happens to struggle with same sex attraction, but I am aware that this is something that’s shaped a lot of his perspective on life, like his strong moral code and general self control (I’m actually kind of surprised that side of him hasn’t really made it into the castle yet, but then again he hasn’t actually been presented with any moral issues).  So, I allow it to affect his backstory and character development, but I’m not going to shove it into his life because it doesn’t define him.  Same thing with Cecil – I’m aware that he’s weak willed and ultimately betrayed Kit, but I don’t purposefully try to give him weak willed moments just because that’s something he struggles with.  Or, I don’t purposefully make Val act cynical and bitter just because I know she is!  I think the key is to just let it happen organically!

    Also, the nice thing about writing is that you can always kind of test something out before committing to it, and if it doesn’t work out that’s ok 🙂

    Btw what Calidris said about these ND characters being/not being pretty… Ríadnu could have the word “princeling” applied to him 🙃

    AWWWW!  Is he from the same story as Jade and Rosemary?

    Side note: what does that emoji even mean? It seemed to fit, but I really have no idea.

    I  t h i n k  slightly sarcastic?  I honestly can’t exactly pinpoint it tbh XD

    Kit works at a perfume boutique?! Cool, I bet he loves it! I’d probably hate it XD. Most perfumes drive me nuts.

    YES HE DOES!  It’s a fancy upscale boutique too!  He ended up getting a job there purely out of boredom and loneliness…and then was mildly surprised and slightly disappointed that he was the only guy on the team (because only Kit could be that willfully ignorant.)  He really likes it though, it’s got TONS of stimulation and social interaction, plus he has such a sweet and wholesome dynamic with his coworkers.  He’s quite good at handling annoying customers, and he’s always the one they get to deal with creeps

    It’s also the worst possible chance meeting for him and Val…so of course I have to include that XD

    Also

    It wasn’t until this year that I learned that practicing conversations in my head wasn’t exactly “normal” XD

    I also adopted a British accent as a stim when I was really young!

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