Finchbearer
Istar
After reading about plot armour I do agree that it can be a bit unrealistic (in the context of a fantastical setting) to have the main character/s go through hell and back over and over again and realistically still be alive just for the sake of the plot, and at worst it just comes across as melodramatic.
It makes me think of the best line I’ve ever read in a fantasy book by Susanna Clarke in Norrell and Strange; “No young lady ever had such advantages before: for she died upon the Tuesday, was raised to life in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and was married upon the Thursday; which some people thought too much excitement for one week.”
Which just makes me laugh every time I think about it, and whilst in this context is in the setting of polite 19th century British society, I think Susanna was clever enough to realise that it also has connotations of the ridiculous seen in much of fantasy literature.
Reading about plot armour also lead me to realise that I don’t actually put my characters through that much physical hardship. There are some moments, but nothing to the extent of some books I’ve read. I deal with more psychological hardship than anything else, but I still don’t put my characters through the wringer.
What do we all think of this question, how much is too much? Yes context is important, but beyond that? And do you think catering to what the current market wants to read is important when asking this question too? Should I put my characters through the wringer?
It makes me think of the best line I’ve ever read in a fantasy book by Susanna Clarke in Norrell and Strange; “No young lady ever had such advantages before: for she died upon the Tuesday, was raised to life in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and was married upon the Thursday; which some people thought too much excitement for one week.”
Which just makes me laugh every time I think about it, and whilst in this context is in the setting of polite 19th century British society, I think Susanna was clever enough to realise that it also has connotations of the ridiculous seen in much of fantasy literature.
Reading about plot armour also lead me to realise that I don’t actually put my characters through that much physical hardship. There are some moments, but nothing to the extent of some books I’ve read. I deal with more psychological hardship than anything else, but I still don’t put my characters through the wringer.
What do we all think of this question, how much is too much? Yes context is important, but beyond that? And do you think catering to what the current market wants to read is important when asking this question too? Should I put my characters through the wringer?