Finchbearer
Istar
So as it happens I have gone through my first draft with a fine tooth comb, but of course there are more nits than I anticipated…
One decision I’d like some input on is where two main characters are concerned; two friends who both gain magical ability as they come of age.
The question I have is, should they both have innate ability, or recently I have pondered whether I should make it so that one of the characters gains magical ability through external means?
To try and keep it simple, here is an overview of their general arcs:
Character 1: (female) peasant, who wishes for a better life, is envious of noble life, finds that she has innate magical ability, is sent to a ‘hall of learning’ to learn to wield her powers, still finds that she cannot truly overcome her peasant upbringing, unwittingly ends up climbing the social ladder anyway, but she is generally passive in this process despite her efforts to change her fate. She finds that moving in nobles social circles is not all roses after all. Her arc is that of eventually overcoming passiveness and taking more control over her life finding more autonomy and balance.
Character 2: (female) noble born, restricted by her status, stifled, rejects the idea of marriage, wants to escape noble life in favour of something else, finds out she too has innate magical ability, but her frequent rebellion and impulsive nature means she takes risks, much to the dismay of her friend (who is described above). She’s bold and wild hopefully making for compelling reading, and I wanted these two friends to juxtapose one another, to essentially be opposites.
However… do I make it so that character #2 does not in fact have innate magical ability, but rather tries something that will hopefully allow her to avoid being married off and living the stifled life of a noblewoman, and unwittingly ends up with a kind of magic that is not innate?
I think this could give her an extra complexity and offer even more juxtaposition to her friend. It would also mean that I’d have to alter some of the plot, but the plot would actually allow for this change in many ways. It would also be that no one would know that her magic is not in fact innate, well, except the reader.
Apologies for rambling, but any input would be appreciated.
One decision I’d like some input on is where two main characters are concerned; two friends who both gain magical ability as they come of age.
The question I have is, should they both have innate ability, or recently I have pondered whether I should make it so that one of the characters gains magical ability through external means?
To try and keep it simple, here is an overview of their general arcs:
Character 1: (female) peasant, who wishes for a better life, is envious of noble life, finds that she has innate magical ability, is sent to a ‘hall of learning’ to learn to wield her powers, still finds that she cannot truly overcome her peasant upbringing, unwittingly ends up climbing the social ladder anyway, but she is generally passive in this process despite her efforts to change her fate. She finds that moving in nobles social circles is not all roses after all. Her arc is that of eventually overcoming passiveness and taking more control over her life finding more autonomy and balance.
Character 2: (female) noble born, restricted by her status, stifled, rejects the idea of marriage, wants to escape noble life in favour of something else, finds out she too has innate magical ability, but her frequent rebellion and impulsive nature means she takes risks, much to the dismay of her friend (who is described above). She’s bold and wild hopefully making for compelling reading, and I wanted these two friends to juxtapose one another, to essentially be opposites.
However… do I make it so that character #2 does not in fact have innate magical ability, but rather tries something that will hopefully allow her to avoid being married off and living the stifled life of a noblewoman, and unwittingly ends up with a kind of magic that is not innate?
I think this could give her an extra complexity and offer even more juxtaposition to her friend. It would also mean that I’d have to alter some of the plot, but the plot would actually allow for this change in many ways. It would also be that no one would know that her magic is not in fact innate, well, except the reader.
Apologies for rambling, but any input would be appreciated.