tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post7161917755228317084..comments2023-09-11T09:19:38.384-05:00Comments on Sarah Ahiers Writes: In Which I Fight PassivitySarah Ahiershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-88747300811254814152010-02-24T14:48:48.303-06:002010-02-24T14:48:48.303-06:00Sonshine - that's kind of what happened in my ...Sonshine - that's kind of what happened in my previous WIP - it's kind of a bitch to decide what to do about it...<br /><br />L&L - LOL well i'm glad to hear that about Bella<br /><br />Al - i think that's the arc i'll use if i decide to go back and fix previous WIP<br /><br />Dominique - go you! Some people, like me, just have to actively fight against passivitySarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-87391441607235977882010-02-24T14:10:01.228-06:002010-02-24T14:10:01.228-06:00I've had a problem with this in the past. If ...I've had a problem with this in the past. If things keep happening to the MC instead of the MC doing things, my MC looks weak, not to mention is boring. I'm working on whipping my characters and WIPs into active shape.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-61547007431535470692010-02-24T01:16:16.752-06:002010-02-24T01:16:16.752-06:00In my novel I have a character who is passive at t...In my novel I have a character who is passive at the start. Through the story she grows and changes and by the end she is anything but passive.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625543235578144620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-74309183593147344062010-02-23T22:43:00.735-06:002010-02-23T22:43:00.735-06:00Oh, they're the worst! We have worked so hard ...Oh, they're the worst! We have worked so hard to create strong characters. We avoid Bella like the plague.lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-73669942327161036622010-02-23T19:44:35.697-06:002010-02-23T19:44:35.697-06:00I have a very passive character in my WIP. When I ...I have a very passive character in my WIP. When I first started the novel she was the MC, but the story evolved and deepened (now has 4 POV) and the antagonist turned out to be the MC. Weird. He is most definitely NOT passive, but I cannot shake the girl who was supposed to be the MC into shape. She has become less and less important except for the role she plays in the MC's life.Rebecca T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11994380364321336824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-17021591961942277762010-02-23T17:06:53.475-06:002010-02-23T17:06:53.475-06:00Roni and Southpaw - i hear that. once i figured ou...Roni and Southpaw - i hear that. once i figured out my MC was far too pasive, it was like a lightbulb went on.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-85921597841813199582010-02-23T17:01:20.032-06:002010-02-23T17:01:20.032-06:00I have passive supporting characters but not MC, a...I have passive supporting characters but not MC, at least in mu current WIP.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-14643796886312670942010-02-23T15:43:00.405-06:002010-02-23T15:43:00.405-06:00I had a passive MC in my first novel attempt. Too...I had a passive MC in my first novel attempt. Took me a long time to realize what the problem was.Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-48090834064670538882010-02-23T14:58:37.171-06:002010-02-23T14:58:37.171-06:00Sarahjayne - me too exactly. Even though i planned...Sarahjayne - me too exactly. Even though i planned ahead of time with my WIP to fight the passivity, i still have to go in and fix all the bits that creeped in when i wasn't lookingSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-65829378855613196772010-02-23T14:43:08.848-06:002010-02-23T14:43:08.848-06:00It seems like I've been fighting not only pass...It seems like I've been fighting not only passive characters but passive writing as well for as long as I can remember.<br /><br />And it seems like no matter how hard I try to put that all behind me, it's an ongoing battle. If I don't consciously work at beating the passive back, it just creeps right back in.sarahjayne smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589820347348973092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-21139824945519256792010-02-23T13:56:51.906-06:002010-02-23T13:56:51.906-06:00Aubrie - i would say that Bella being a passive ch...Aubrie - i would say that Bella being a passive characters is one of the detractors of Twilight. It may be a successful book, but that doesn't mean it's perfect<br /><br />Piedmont - in general as long as the passive character isn't the MC then you're probably OK. <br /><br />Helen - so true - passive characters are almost always mopey (or at least mine are...)<br /><br />Alex - if they cause situations, they've got to be active in some way<br /><br />Teebore - that's what i'll probably end up having to do with my other WIP with passive ass Joachim.<br /><br />Rocy - yeah i thought it was a pretty apt picture since passivity often = boredom<br /><br />Nicole - good luck - it can sometimes be a hard thing to change<br /><br />Shannon - thanks! it can indeed (at least for me) - i even come across it when i have well outlined characters. le sighSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-24954421346179346932010-02-23T12:05:39.707-06:002010-02-23T12:05:39.707-06:00Great post, Falen! Passivity is a tough one. :-...Great post, Falen! Passivity is a tough one. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-25136813399794147682010-02-23T11:13:47.209-06:002010-02-23T11:13:47.209-06:00Yep, I have one. (grrr) I'm working on him, t...Yep, I have one. (grrr) I'm working on him, though. Gonna light a fire under his butt somehow!<br /><br />Good luck with yours :)<br />((hugs)) NicoleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-16330634745095466642010-02-23T11:12:51.494-06:002010-02-23T11:12:51.494-06:00Like the sleeping guy on the books. I'll keep ...Like the sleeping guy on the books. I'll keep that picture in mind as I write today. I don't want my readers to feel that way about my story.Roxyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09787088898112141579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-49001785036236169312010-02-23T09:59:43.254-06:002010-02-23T09:59:43.254-06:00I don't think I have a problem with passive ch...I don't think I have a problem with passive characters, but maybe I do. Now you have me paranoid... :) <br /><br />The MC of my NaNo book is kinda boring right now, but I don't think he's passive. He ends up where he does because of decisions he makes, at least. <br /><br />Depending on the character, I think it can be pretty easy to make a passive character more active. Just find something motivating enough. There's nothing wrong with having a passive character who, in the course of the story, becomes more active.Austin Gortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14281239771248780430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-90054997831820267952010-02-23T09:37:37.564-06:002010-02-23T09:37:37.564-06:00Most of the photos were of Bella? That is too funn...Most of the photos were of Bella? That is too funny.<br /><br />My two main characters aren't passive - and least I don't think so! And one seems to excel at causing situations.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-4785489589651204642010-02-23T09:32:46.612-06:002010-02-23T09:32:46.612-06:00Bella drives me crazy. Do something, already! Don&...Bella drives me crazy. Do something, already! Don't mope around waiting for something to happen. Grr. (Don't let this happen to your protagonist.)<br /><br />Helen<br /><a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Straight From Hel</a>Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-38991227118684148792010-02-23T08:39:50.580-06:002010-02-23T08:39:50.580-06:00I think I have a few passive characters but becaus...I think I have a few passive characters but because the others are so active I think it balances out. Now you've made me wonder and I have to go check.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-14313379221203221002010-02-23T08:12:10.919-06:002010-02-23T08:12:10.919-06:00Bella Swan is very passive. So is the MC of the bo...Bella Swan is very passive. So is the MC of the book I just read, "The Forest of Hands and Teeth." They tell us that we're not supposed to have passive MC, but there are successful books out there that do. hmmmmm.Aubriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884036126491922530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-69639608882939375532010-02-23T07:54:46.385-06:002010-02-23T07:54:46.385-06:00Anne - i didn't until you just reminded me! HI...Anne - i didn't until you just reminded me! HILarious!<br /><br />Palindrome - you're gonna have to wake up early in the morning to beat Anne. And yeah, i haven't seen much passivity in your writing and for me, it doesn't come out unless i'm writing a novel<br /><br />Sonshine - I, too, like a few POV, typically 2 MCs and then 2-3 minor characters and an antogonist. Fun! Oooh sad emotional extremes might work. But then it might backfire and i'll be in a funk AND sad... i don't know if i want to take that chanceSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-29612127286952564422010-02-23T07:50:32.889-06:002010-02-23T07:50:32.889-06:00I don't think I do anymore, mostly because I&#...I don't think I do anymore, mostly because I've broken the urge to write from thirty POVs and narrowed it to the 2 or 3 around whom all action flows. <br /><br />I do have a bit of a worry about one of my MCs, but I don't really think it's a passivity issue. BORING issue, maybe. But she's not passive. <br /><br />And in regards to the post below, which for some reason I couldn't access before today, I'm constantly snapping in and out of funks. I can usually break them by forcing myself to some emotional extreme, like getting drunk and watching <i>Closer</i>, or...yeah, I usually just go to the sad extreme. :-)Summer Freyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234534550255682010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-3204100977663771162010-02-23T07:46:59.887-06:002010-02-23T07:46:59.887-06:00Stoopid Bella Swan.
I don't think I have a pr...Stoopid Bella Swan.<br /><br />I don't think I have a problem with passive characters. I think they have a problem with a passive author though. <br /><br />I thought I would be the first to comment but usually while I'm thinking up some clever quips, I get shafted! <br /><br />And by ANNE?! <br /><br />Bah! I say, BAH!<br /><br />fisho: generic goldfish crackersHannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915603693944523761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439499929311889062.post-26376639386624310452010-02-23T07:39:01.933-06:002010-02-23T07:39:01.933-06:00haha Bella Swan! remember when the Oatmeal called...haha Bella Swan! remember when the Oatmeal called her Pants?Anne Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695186823472404436noreply@blogger.com