#from the character template

[civilization-illstayrighthere]

ex-shiv turned city-slicker solo splittin’ skulls and slottin’ shards

[puppyeared]

these two are so interesting to me

characters belong to @canisalbus

[bonefall]

Hey, what makes a character a 'plot device but not a character'? And how do you not do that? I'm trying to do it on purpose but also I need to still make them interesting because it's on purpose, yknow?

A good skill to pick up is to learn to criticise criticism itself. A "plot device" is simply a thing that moves the plot along, it's a neutral literary analysis term! Usually, when people are angry that "a character has been used as a plot device," it doesn't mean they hate plot devices. It means they're gesturing at something deeper.

Runningwind and Bumble are equally plot devices in their deaths. They are both killed by the antagonist to escalate political tension. Runningwind is rarely "accused" of just being a plot device, and yet, we're talking about Bumble for the same thing.

So, why?

Well, Runningwind is just a background character, but in life, he was a part of the community. He was characterized as impatient but responsible. Yet, he wasn't SO important that he died with a bunch of unresolved plot threads.

He is mostly an extension of the entity of ThunderClan. His killing by Tigerstar, and the fear and paranoia that settles on the group after this, feel like a progression of the story insteas of something forced.

Bumble, on the other hand...

Is hated immediately by Gray Wing, when she's established as Turtle Tail's friend. Bumble's abuse at Tom the Wifebeater's hands invites even MORE investment. The rejection is shocking and upsetting. There's a story there about our main characters being imperfect; jealous, bigoted, and judgemental.

But, she is simply killed off. Everything they set up for this character is gone with little personalized fanfare. It's not a tragedy with a lesson about cruelty, or something anyone regrets.

It's just... plot. Gray Wing whinging that no one will like his shitty brother now that his body count is 2.

More than that, in the discussion of women in particular, "Fridging" was coined to give a name to the way women characters often don't get their stories told at all. There is a CULTURAL trend of female characters facing disproportionate violence, for the sake of advancing male plots.

Bumble has a lot going for her. Petal had a lot going for her. Turtle Tail had a lot going for her. Bright Stream had a lot going for her. When they died, they took their potential with them.

It's not always wrong to kill off a character of high potential, mind you. In Gurren Lagann, Kamina's death is sudden and shocking, leaving a massive hole in the hearts of the cast that never heals. Grappling with that loss, but also letting his memory fuel them, is a major theme of that story.

All that to say... there's no formula for avoiding it. You've gotta identify what the deeper issue is, in your specific narrative.

I can't say for certain what that will look like for your story, but here's some things I keep in mind;

When you make characters who exist to die, make sure they're people before you axe them.

Ask yourself; what about them does the cast miss?

If they just miss them because they were (pre-existing relationship), go back to the drawing board.

Fluttering Bird as an example. Who was she? Dead sister. Why do they miss her? Dead sister. No traits until after her death.

Runningwind was short-tempered and helpful. Kamina was a valuable leader who made people believe in a brighter future. Swiftpaw was fiesty and desperate to prove himself. The better characterized, the more profound the loss usually is.

If this is a female character who is dying just to serve the plot, be aware of cultural bias and tropes. How is the gender ratio looking in your cast? Is this happening disproportionately with your girls?

Note how Quiet Rain's litter had both a boy and a girl, but the girl was chosen to be "weaker" and wither away.

And how most of the time in DOTC, whenever a man had to be upset, a girl would get killed for it.

If you ever feel like the character on the chopping block is NOT a full character, ask yourself why it needs to be a character at all. You don't need to spend narrative time building out someone when a literal object of high value might suffice.

"My sister died when I swore to protect her and I can't face my family" = Old. Tired. Ive seen this.

"I lost my heirloom sword when I swore to protect it and I can't face my family." = Fascinating. Why was the sword so valuable? Will they really not take you back? How did you lose it?

When you do kill off "high value" characters, try to make sure you're not leaving too many plot threads hanging. Or at least make a point of how they will never get closure.

[its-a-me-mango]

I freaking love having OC's I can do anything I want with them.

[jakehoon]

· ˚ ˖ IT GIRL * a character template

this is a free character template to celebrate a character's birthday. this template is made with png and requires basic ps knowledge. the fonts used are spicy rise, poppins & elychalk by tzxico. click the source to download. credit is not necessary but please give a like or reblog to support.

[ginpotts]

@userdramas event 18: cool @userdramas get to know me bingo: character, actor or actress @userdramas creator bingo: font pairing (better vcr/zpix), camera raw, template (based off of one of the main 永夜星河 weibo posts)

yu shuxin in her incredibl(y cool and amazing) performance in love game in eastern fantasy (永夜星河) ✧ 2024

[yoosung-ah]

a brief summary of Mystic Messenger (OG edition) x

[utopianoverlord]

Slime Rancher icons

character icons feat. Bea, Viktor, Thora, Ogden, BOb & Mochi

✨ save as .png to preserve transparency ✨

a reblog and/or like would be much appreciated if using or saving!

find them beneath the cut

[insane-obessions]

FaceTime Chronicles 💯

All images sourced from their Instagrams and Pinterest.

[liliaceaae]

some rhea & ace dynamics…..

(template made by me! blank under the cut if u wanna use it :))

[bobs-memes]

I love him so much and am mentally ill

[gncrezan]

tagged in a wip whenever by @night-triumphantt !!!! i am not even working on any big piece so you get a collection of the dragon age sketching i'm doing on different layers, trying to figure my rook out and learning how to draw lucanis who against my will has enchanted me actually

not tagging anyone but pleaase feel free to do it if you like!!!

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP as a Penguin Classics Cover | vol. 1 | 🐧

"Shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us."

@strafethesesinners @strangefable @socially-awkward-skeleton @shellibisshe

@voidika @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @trench-rot @killyourrdarlingss

@katsigian @imogenkol @wrathfulrook @purplehairsecretlair @g0dspeeed

@direwombat @elligatorrex @mkdecimation @carlosoliveiraa @theelderhazelnut

@aceghosts @spookyrares @cassietrn @derelictheretic @la-grosse-patate

@simonxriley @dumbassdep @finding-comfort-in-rain @neonshrike

@simplegenius042 @cloudofbutterflies92 @lilywatt

[ilikekidsshows]

I noticed a lot of character bingos have mutually exclusive takes in the same row, so I made my own with a bunch of boxes anyone filling this can interpret however they want to!

Also send me characters to fill this bingo bongo with!

[bishonenvoicedbyadyke]

[dkettchen]

absolutely unintelligeable meme I made during bootcamp lecture this morning