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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thinkin' Thursday - I've Been Workin' on the...

Sweatin' to the Work Week
From village idiot to president of a country, all MCs have an occupation. And, the MCs occupation has a direct effect on how the character responds, reacts & behaves within the confines they are given. All have the potential for introspection, deductive reasoning & logical thinking (logic being relative). Beyond that, how they deal is dependent upon what they do to earn their daily lives.

Lancelot, knight errant & confidant of king & queen, responded based on the chivalric code & his 'job'. Although, different writers interpret him differently from Mallory, the basis is his profession. The fool in Christopher Moore's retelling of King Lear is defined by his occupation - everything he does or doesn't do is an extension of that. Atticus, the lawyer, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' acts from a core of lawyerly intent; his sense of fairness, right & wrong extends from this core.

From high fantasy to women's literature, the MCs profession provides clues to a deeper sense of character. Fairy duster to pencil pusher, all come with a set of characteristics; some that readers expect & some they don't.

What does the MC in your current WIP do for a living & how does that affect the story arc? The goals/motivations/conflicts? The outcome - from HEA to no HEA?

Happy Writing,

Patti

8 comments:

  1. A lot of my characters are have a scientific background; I suppose that could mean that they try to figure things out through reason.

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  2. That good old deductive, scientific method stuff is great. Love it.
    Thanks Eagle.
    Patti

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  3. She's a soldier, but she wants to be a doctor.

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  4. I think that a character's profession totally helps give clues to the way he may think or act. I wonder if it works in real life... well I guess my day job would make me notice things, attention to detail... I think readers would think I am far more technical than I am, though! Interesting post, thanks!

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  5. My mc is fifteen; his occupation is being a teenager. You can imagine what type of judgment he shows.

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  6. Al,
    Good luck on those 2 fronts. But, I find it interesting how both careers have corresponding characteristics; strength, fortitude, etc.
    Jayne,
    Thanks for the comments. And, perception is one half of the witch's brew. So I think you're okay on that front.
    Shellie,
    Oh yeah, I know those characteristics. Smartcasticness, oblivity, self-cesuredness, rudeness to all others except peer group, inability to make decisions except by seat of pants & peer approval. That has its own fun!!!

    Thanks to all of you.

    Patti

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  7. LURVEEEE Christopher Moore, and Fool is one of my most loved books!

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  8. Christine,
    I am a huge Moore fan; You Suck: A Love Story, Lamb, and Fool. He is highlarious!!!
    Patti

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