#multifaceted complex character in the show

[dearmyloveleys]

RE: the absolute fascination (and adoration) I have with the symbolism of Zhu Yan's and Li Lun's weapons, how it reveals their respective characterisations and the discussion of humanity

There are so many aspects that I love about FoF but I still believe how the show represents LiYan's relationship + worldview through their weapons is one of the best uses of visual storytelling and literary/visual devices I have seen in recent years. (long text ahead!)

A Gift and A Curse

Where did their complications start? The exchange of gifts. Why do we gift another presents? For affection. It's so ironically simple, free of malice and at its basis so, so human. For a demon like Li Lun who claims to not understand humans, he reciprocates the moment of kindness Zhu Yan shows him - the rattle to make him happy, and him giving Zhu Yan the umbrella to shelter him from rain.

There is something so beautifully ironic about two great demons eventually using ordinary, human household objects as their weapons. And items given to each other at that. When they first receive them, both the umbrella and rattle are just simple objects with no meaning attached to it, except for the goodwill of friendship. There is no inherent ill-intention and it is pure. Yet.

Li Lun ultimately only understands reciprocation, and not truly the innate kindness and affection which Zhu Yan demonstrates. Zhu Yan gave Li Lun the rattle to have him understand why he finds humans wonderful: Can any of our demonic powers have the ability to make someone happy just like this rattle does for a child? Li Lun gives Zhu Yan the umbrella because Zhu Yan gave him the rattle and made him happy. Li Lun understands the action, and does not grapple with its underlying intentions. He consistently struggles with this throughout the story, especially when actions do not match up with the speaker's reasonings.

Dissonance in character is an extremely human trait, and the understanding of this is where Zhu Yan and Li Lun’s stories and similarities diverge. Zhu Yan on one hand, understands the complexity of humans and is at terms with it. Li Lun on the other hand, never understands the ability to be complex and paints humanity black. Their gifts are still turned into weapons that will eternally curse them of their once-there closeness, because of each other and their inability to reconcile their ideologies. How they use the umbrella and rattle from here on, represents their differences in their views of humanity.

Double Edged

When watching any fantasy/wuxia/xianxia cdrama, everyone who is written as a fighter usually has an offensive weapon used and made for injuring and killing. But not when it comes to Zhu Yan and Li Lun - they are two individuals who will certainly be masters in weaponry if they wielded a sword or blade. But they don’t.

In the Wilderness, from what we see, none of the demons use weapons. Even Cheng Huang uses an hourglass. Both Li Lun and Zhu Yan do not own any weapons before gifting each other the rattle and umbrella, and these aren’t even supposed to be used as weapons. There is such an underlying innocence to demons that instead of choosing a blade to take as a weapon, they choose these essentially harmless items instead. Though, this innocence ends here. The concept of weapons is a human creation. The concept of making an item specifically just to harm others is an especially human conception. By adopting the identity of weapons onto their gifts, the multifaceted nature of weaponry and thereby humanity seeps into their characters. Weaponry is both ironically and ironically human, and their weapons represent both sides of human nature that Zhu Yan and Li Lun believe in.

A weapon is only causes harm in one's hands if you make command it to. Do you protect or do you do harm with it? I find it so telling and intriguing that Zhu Yan and Li Lun run off in either directions with the purposes of a weapon. Zhuyan has always been fascinated by the human world versus Lilun having apathetic views of the human world, and they reflect this in how they use their weapons.

Zhu Yan uses his umbrella to always shield his team, protect and deflect harm, while the harm he inflicts on others comes from his innate spiritual energy (one word spells). He protects this simple umbrella and preserves its goodness, indirectly making sure to not sully the goodness of humanity. Instead, he chooses to use himself as the offensive weapon. On the other hand, Li Lun turns his rattle into an offensive weapon, changing its tip into a dagger. Before it is destroyed, all his attacks are summoned from strikes against the rattle. He doesn’t care, and humanity is trash, therefore he treats this object of innocence with irreverence and violence.

Though, there still is Li Lun’s favourite question: Is it better to be a demon or human? He chooses human. Which at the very least, is interesting.

Who You Wish To Be

The thematic concern of LiYan's relationship is very much defined by this question they often pose or have been asked by others: Is being a human or a demon better?

On an even deeper level, the juxtaposition between Li Lun's use of the rattle and what he says, being a human is better, is even more encompassing of his character — driven, conflicted obsession. The same way he keeps trying to break Zhuo Yichen and Zhuyan, but manages to maintain somehow civil and emotional conversations with them, his treatment of his rattle but the fact he thinks being human is better, and his one-time statement “maybe the human world is interesting after all” are contradictory. He is never at peace with himself and cannot accept things the way they are. He is very much a child, misguided and believing that things are one-dimensional (all humans are bad, Zhuyan how could you hurt me for them) while things in reality are complex. Even his best intentions, from his line “I, Li Lun, will never run away from things (…)” is innocently one dimensional. He will never be the human he wants to be until he comes to terms with this. And most importantly, it's not even about being human. It's never about titles or names, it's about who he wants to be. Li Lun once again is fixated on surface levels that he doesn't grasp the depth of reality.

"Whether one is a human or demon, it's only a matter of titles. Just be whoever you want to be." - Zhu Yan, Ep 26.

Zhu Yan is the stellar opposite of Li Lun. He doesn’t sully Li Lun’s gift to him and uses it the way Lilun initially gave it to him for: to protect. And his answer to the Demon or Human question as written above is telling of his character, compared to Li Lun's set-in-stone answer. But despite everything, what makes everything so tragic is what started it in the first place: affection. One keeps that affection as a weapon to spread the same to others, while the other keeps and weaponises that affection to regain it all back.

Just like how he uses his rattle to relentlessly pursue revenge, Li Lun is so insistent on what should have been, that he doesn't see what can be, and it curses him. Zhu Yan sees the possibilities of everything, wants to protect the good, and it curses him. Perhaps its this inevitability of their separation and also the sliver of hope that they can reconcile, trapped in their shared respective curses, that troubles them deep down.

-

Their weapons symbolise both their ideologies, and serve as physical reminders of their intertwined past. Regardless of how they use their weapons, they use a reminder of the other as defense and offense against the world. A diverged path still has met once before. The sharpest blade is still one crafted from the torment of memory.

On Visual Story-Telling

The use of these unusual objects in c-drama land as weapons is such a stroke of genius on the production team and writers' part. It gives so much more flavour and uniqueness to these characters instead of the usual sword or spear. Such small, precise, details with large implications on characterisation.

[fishslappping]

Ugh all of these changes I just can’t get behind this woke adaption like in the books Louis was a white plantation owner (and obviously that’s so bad like racism sucks 😔✊) but now that he’s [whispers]black …he has like no blame and everyone hates Lestat - AND Nicki now!! There wasn’t any racism in France especially by the 1900’s and like I just don’t get why everything has to be about race I think I’m gonna stop watching i can’t believe they’ve done this

[earl-grey-love]

I love self inserting into a show so hard that my insert's presence changes the whole trajectory of the plot.

[aceofwands]

It's especially interesting because that religious conservatism sometimes extends into a social conservatism too, early in the series, which puts her in diametric opposition to a lot of our Starfleet officers, who by their very nature are people who have chosen careers where they explore space and interact with alien cultures on a regular basis, which often requires a certain level of 'progressiveness' or at least a willingness to tolerate and accept other cultures. Whereas Kira literally starts the series saying she doesn't think the Federation or Starfleet has any business being there!

And her conservative religious viewpoint also makes perfect sense in the context of her Resistance background. Being willing to fight for Bajor's freedom during the Occupation doesn't just mean being capable of acts of violence. It also means clinging on to every single piece of Bajoran culture as something Important - something sacred, something worth fighting to preserve. Of course she comes out of that believing she has to uphold Bajoran traditions!

But unlike (probably) the majority of Bajorans, she works alongside aliens every single day. Her views and assumptions are constantly challenged. We see the impact this has on her perceptions of Cardassians, over the course of the series. But obviously this also extends to her view of the Federation and all the other alien cultures they encounter as well. So we have this interesting push and pull throughout the series, where Kira is both somewhat more socially conservative than her Federation friends while also being comparatively socially progressive compared to the average Bajoran!

And that's where the real juicy stuff in her arc comes from, because, again, there's a push pull in her dynamic with Sisko especially, where she helps him realise how the majority of Bajorans view him as the Emissary, and helps him to be able to accept and even embrace being the Emissary, while he helps to challenge some of those conservative viewpoints in a way that doesn't discredit or negate her faith in the Prophets. As you said, initially Kira agrees with Winn's position! She could very well have continued agreeing with her, if she didn't witness firsthand the way Winn interacted with Sisko and realise that her perspective was often tainted by her own ambition (and view of Sisko as a threat to her power, rather than the Emissary of the Prophets). Meanwhile, here's this outsider who doesn't even know the first thing about Bajor when he arrives, yet who grows to know and care about her people AND whose faith in the Prophets is more absolute than their current Kai!

It's almost a shame that we don't really see if her views are still as orthodox by the end of the series as they were earlier on ... as you said, her personal relationship with Winn obscures what she thinks of Winn's viewpoints about issues because she knows the real motivation behind them. And as Sisko embraces his role as the Emissary, Kira chooses to put her faith in him and his choices - while simultaneously Sisko has also come to understand and embrace more Bajoran culture, so we don't necessarily have the same kind of moments of them at odds about Bajor later in the series?

But I've always found it very telling that the Prophet chose Kira as its vessel in the Reckoning - I've always believed that, as you noted, the strength of Kira's faith and her willingness to fight for Bajor (and die for a Prophet) is what motivated it to select her out of the hundreds of Bajorans on the station (or even someone on Bajor).

But maybe it's also because she actually holds one of the most balanced perspectives about Bajor and the Prophets that a Bajoran could have.

She believes in preserving and upholding Bajoran customs, traditions and culture - but lives and works alongside dozens of aliens, learning about their cultures and coming to understand and even value their viewpoints and perspectives.

Her faith in the Prophets is so absolute she's willing to die as their vessel, yet she's also willing to challenge (and counsel) the Kai herself when she realises the woman's desire for power trumps her desire to serve the Prophets and Bajor.

Her faith in and belief in the Emissary is also absolute, yet she also knows him as her close friend and colleague Benjamin who takes her to baseball games and cooks dinner for her and the rest of the senior staff - and who she's butted heads with and completely disagreed with on more than one occasion.

Like yeah, at the outset - and throughout the series - Kira is often shown to have a rather conservative viewpoint when it comes to Bajor and its religion and culture especially. But that viewpoint is also challenged constantly and given so much nuance and complexity that it's hard to only look at evidence from the earlier half of the series and know with certainty that she still has such orthodox/conservative religious views by the end of the series. Especially when we know that she is nowhere near as socially conservative as she was at the beginning of the series.

But then again, maybe she's even more religiously conservative by the end of the series because she's seen her friend embrace his role as the Emissary, she's been the vessel to a Prophet (which, why was that not followed up on!! you'd think that experience would profoundly affect her), she's seen all of the ways the Prophets have influenced their lives and the events of the series, of course she's even more willing to put her faith in them by the end. ... But does that mean she would have the same opinion about Bajoran children being taught diverse perspectives as she did in season 1? I'm not sure. And I'm not sure Kira would think it was so black and white by the end either.

One thing that's interesting to me about Kira Nerys is that religiously, I think she's rather orthodox/conservative, and I like that about her!

Points of evidence: she admits that early on with her associations with Vedek Bareil that she staunchly disagreed with him on many of his interpretations of the words of the Prophets. Vedek Bareil is presented as being more liberal and progressive in his views, so we can conclude from this that Kira may be more on the orthodox end of the spectrum compared to Bareil.

She doesn't disagree with Vedek Winn about the teaching of the Bajoran children and the wormhole, and even suggests that perhaps the Bajoran children would be better served in a separate school. When several Bajoran officers don't show up in protest of the school, Kira defends them. She and Sisko actually have a rather heated argument about it.

None of Kira's later disagreements with Winn are about Winn's religious views, but rather her bloodthirsty political ambitions. I think, were Winn not so power hungry and willing to twist the Bajoran faith to serve her personal goals, she and Kira probably would've gotten along rather well.

And there is of course the episode where all the Bajorans are expected to go back to their "D'jarras" - to return to a caste-based system. Kira goes along with it, even though she admits she's terrible at art. I imagine there were likely other Bajorans who refused. Kira isn't happy about it either, but I found her willingness to go along with it interesting.

Kira is overall very observant of Bajoran faith rituals. All Bajorans are shown as being very faithful in the show, but Kira very strongly leans on her faith as a point of both pride and strength.

[imastoryteller]

Understanding Morally Gray Characters in Storytelling

Definition and Core Characteristics:

Complex and Ambiguous Morality: Morally gray characters exhibit traits and make decisions that do not fit neatly into the categories of 'good' or 'evil'. Their actions and motivations often blend aspects of both.

Humanized Flaws: They possess human flaws, which make their actions and decisions relatable and believable. These flaws often drive their complex behavior.

Realistic Motivations: Their motivations are multifaceted and realistic, often stemming from personal experiences, traumas, or societal pressures.

Importance in Storytelling:

Adds Depth: These characters add depth and richness to the narrative, providing a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of human nature.

Creates Tension and Conflict: Their unpredictability and complex morality create tension and conflict, driving the plot and engaging the audience.

Reflects Real Life: By portraying characters with both good and bad qualities, stories can reflect the complexity of real-life moral decisions.

Examples and Their Impact:

Walter White from Breaking Bad: Initially a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer, Walter turns to manufacturing methamphetamine to secure his family’s future. His descent into criminality and moral compromise makes him a quintessential morally gray character.

Severus Snape from Harry Potter: Snape’s actions and allegiances are ambiguous throughout much of the series. His ultimate loyalty and sacrifices reveal a deeply complex character motivated by love and regret.

Creating a Morally Gray Character:

Blend Virtues and Vices: Give your character a mix of admirable qualities and significant flaws. This balance helps create a sense of realism.

Motivations Over Actions: Focus on the character’s motivations rather than just their actions. Understand why they make certain decisions, even if those decisions are morally questionable.

Consequences and Growth: Show the consequences of their actions and allow for character growth or regression. This evolution keeps the character dynamic and engaging.

Impact on the Audience:

Empathy and Engagement: Morally gray characters can evoke empathy from the audience, as they see parts of themselves in the character’s struggles and decisions.

Moral Reflection: These characters prompt audiences to reflect on their own moral beliefs and the complexities of right and wrong.

Discussion and Debate: The ambiguous nature of morally gray characters often sparks discussion and debate, making stories more engaging and thought-provoking.

By understanding and effectively using morally gray characters, storytellers can craft richer, more engaging narratives that resonate deeply with their audience.

[nightcolorz]

whenever I post about Armand having a positive trait I get a flood of comments like😡 don’t u know he did this evil thing? Like yes I do CUNT I love that evil thing actually, and me pointing out Armand having a positive character trait doesn’t in anyway negate all of his negative character traits 😭😭 and vice versa. Believe it or not Armand can have flaws and strengths 🤯🤯 he can do bad things AND good things 🤯🤯. A character who’s lived for over 500 years doing a lot of different types of things? Crazy. wow it’s almost like a book series + tv show that’s central theme is finding humanity and things to love about monsters has complex monster characters that both have lovable good traits and crazy evil traits. A multifaceted character that’s messy and self conflicting and human and monstrous at the same time? Hmmm sounds fake, I have a below elementary school level understanding of writing so i believe some characters r good guys and some characters r bad guys and bad guys can’t have good traits and good guys can’t have bad traits 😁 just like real people

[yardsards]

i love this. enby swag so powerful it breached containment to people who haven't watched the show yet

but yeah no unfortunately it's not canon :(

but a large chunk of the fandom headcanons them as nonbinary (or otherwise trans or genderqueer) bc there is HEAVY trans-coding and their whole arc can be interpreted as a metaphor for being transgender

if you look at all the fics about lake infinitytrain, them being headcanoned as nonbinary is the second most popular tag

their enby swag is just that strong

[asgardian--angels]

Izzy Discourse Masterpost

Hey all, given the amount of awful splintering and wank happening in ofmd fandom rn regarding Izzy's death, including the flat-out immature and unacceptable harassment of David Jenkins and Co, I wanted to just make this one all-encompassing post to address the various grievances and complaints I've seen (almost entirely on Twitter). If I've missed anything, please feel free to add on. I'm putting most of this under a read-more for length.

Please be aware, I say all of this as an Izzy fan. I've loved his character since season 1, and while I was sad to see him go, I completely understand and support David & Co's reasons for concluding his arc, and I think it was done respectfully in a way fitting to his character. So let's break down some of the takes I've seen. I am not referencing specific posts or people here, I just want to address the general themes that I keep seeing about why some people are upset.

Izzy's death served no narrative purpose.

Look, this is one that I'm sure fans will debate for the rest of the hiatus. It's completely within your right to disagree with this writing choice, but Izzy's death did serve a narrative purpose in the story that David Jenkins is telling - and he has spoken to this end in several interviews already. I can only summarize here, and fans may find other perspectives in time as well. What we need to remember is that Our Flag Means Death is, at the end of the day, Ed and Stede's love story. That has been made abundantly, explicitly clear. The show has been fantastic at fleshing out the other supporting characters, but that's what they are - supporting characters. They often have their own subplots but ultimately the narrative seeks to move Ed and Stede's story forward and they are tools to spur Ed and Stede's growth or mirror their struggles. Izzy has been a wonderfully complex, multifaceted character but we must remember that all characters are vessels through which stories are told, lessons are imparted, and metaphors are established. He's not a real person who 'deserves' any particular fate. David said he's always intended for Izzy to die at the end of his arc.

Firstly, Izzy (now canonically, through his own dying words) represents part of Blackbeard. He enabled and encouraged Ed's darker side, they were mutually toxic forces to each other. Ed is attempting to cope with and move on from this phase of his life, and like Stede in season 1, set out a free man, unshackled by expectations and loose ends of those he's hurt and been hurt by (though we realize this is an ongoing process that takes time). This lovely gifset sums it up nicely, with Izzy being the Mary parallel, and making s2 mirror s1. Blackbeard is both Ed and Izzy; Ed cannot be free of Blackbeard while Izzy is in his life, and when Izzy is gone he will never truly be Blackbeard again. They are each other's rotting leg!! Yet, they love each other - and David has said that for Ed, this has developed into a mentor and father relationship, and where Ed has previously despised his father figures (his actual father, Hornigold) he does not want to lose Izzy. This time, Izzy brings out Ed, not Blackbeard - and that's where we get the callback to 'there he is', bringing their impact on each other full circle, freeing Ed, getting approval of sorts that he never had, to be soft, to be loved (and there are parallels to Zheng and Auntie here as well that others have made) from that force that drove him to stay in line all this time. David has said in multiple interviews now that he was going for the idea of the mentor/father figure dying and the hero living on and trying to do justice to them.

From Izzy's side, Izzy cannot be free while Edward remains either (Mary cannot find peace while Stede remains). The scar never truly healed, the leg will always be a reminder. At this point the argument becomes 'yes, but why did he have to die? Why not just sail off with the crew of the Revenge?' David has stated that he feels they've done everything they can with, and for, Izzy; he's come leagues from season 1, he's found community, he's found hope, he's found new parts of himself, and he's made good memories. He's found worth outside of what he can be to others. That's more than most pirates could hope for. Where would his character go from there, when the Golden Age of Piracy he belongs to has burned to the ground? Would he stay around and whittle on the Revenge? If he were a real person, yes, that would be lovely, and he'd deserve all the quiet peaceful happiness in the world. But as I explain several points below, he's not interested in being a captain. He's not up for the hard physical labor of regular crew, and he's extremely overqualified for that besides. He has served his narrative purpose, and symbolically, to enter a new age, everything must go. He's connected to the old age of piracy, to the Republic of Pirates, that is now demolished. To him, fighting for what he believes in, for the family he's found, bringing down an army of British twats in the process, is how he should go. It's a pirate's death, and as Izzy's said, he's a pirate - unlike Blackbeard who's succeeding in breaking away from piracy, Izzy never wanted to stop being a pirate, throughout his arc. To me, that's why Izzy remains trapped in the narrative, trapped in history, whereas Ed and Stede will escape history. They leave piracy, and canon, behind, while Izzy was content to remain a pirate and face a pirate's fate.

Burying him on land, right next to Ed and Stede's beach house, shows that his sacrifice was not in vain - they start this new life together, thanks to Izzy's mentorship, his role in their lives that sometimes for worse, sometimes for better, made their love what it was and made their breakaway possible. The new age is built on the foundations of the old age, and is stronger for it.

As we're well aware by now, David tweeted that there's no version of ofmd without Izzy. Whether that's literal or not, symbolically it's true. Izzy's arc of growth affected everyone on the Revenge. Jim fondly remembered fighting for a time when life meant something on that ship; the crew helped give Izzy new meaning in life, and he helped them in return. When he dies, they mourn and have a funeral; that wouldn't have happened under Blackbeard's watch in episode 2. His life meant something to them. He influenced Ed and Stede immensely, and they will take that with them. As David's said, they're all a family, and Izzy was a part of that family, and his loss unites them and brings them closer to continue to fight for that family they've built. It's a tragic, sudden death of someone they've all grown to care for, and that steels their reserve to keep the torch lit. They literally sail off into the sunset to hunt down Ricky to avenge Izzy; he will always be a part of this show. And, of course, with the brief appearance of seagull Buttons, the door is left open for anything.

If this was The Izzy Show, then sure, we'd be content to see him simply engaged in shenanigans every episode. But the plot, and therefore the characters, need to keep moving forward, and Izzy got his growth and development. He got what he needed for his character to have closure, and he served his symbolic narrative purpose in Ed's (and Stede's) story. You may have your own ideas and perspectives, and that's great - that's what fandom is for. But we cannot say his death was pointless when David Jenkins and the writers clearly had a well-defined motive for pushing the narrative in this direction. I actually think the narrative around Ed and Izzy is the most well-developed in the entire show. I for one am so happy we got such an interesting and complex character, and had the brilliant Con O'Neill to portray him.

Izzy's growth & healing arc was rendered pointless by his death.

As this post so eloquently puts it, it's pretty bleak to have the outlook that taking steps to heal and find meaning in life is worthless if it's later lost. Seeking happiness and self-actualization is worthwhile for its own sake; no one knows what's down the road, and we all die eventually. Find meaning in life now. Would you rather have had Izzy not miss with his bullet in ep2? He was given the chance to experience joy, freedom, and hope for the first time in potentially a long time, and when he died he did so with those happy memories. As mentioned, Izzy's death was decided long beforehand given the narrative, and the point of storytelling is to make you feel emotions. We were given impetus to connect and relate to Izzy's character through his process of healing, so when he did die, we felt it keenly. That's how stories work actually! We felt what Ed felt. It moved us. It's not a bad thing that Izzy's arc made him more likeable to fans before his death. It's not a bad thing to lose a beloved character - guess what, it happens constantly in stories - and it's not bad to grieve over it either, but to say that it made his journey pointless is just not true. People saying that Con must be upset that they snatched his character away from him after getting to develop him so much - again I say, would you rather him have died in ep 2 before he had the chance to grow? Or how about in s1, when the crew tried to mutiny? How'd you feel when Stede killed him in his dream, in the very first scene of the season? I think Con's probably glad for the opportunity to have explored this character so much in season 2. Ask him if he thinks it was pointless.

Killing off Izzy was bad for queer rep/burying your gays/"Izzy was the queer heart of the show"

I'm putting 'bury your gays' on the top shelf so people can't use it when it doesn't actually apply. Most of the main cast of characters in this show are queer, and it's a show about pirates with a good amount of violence. Ergo, chances are a queer character will die in the course of Things Happening In Stories. Izzy didn't die because he was queer, and he wasn't the token queer rep. Please turn your attention to the boatloads (literally) of queer characters that are happy and thriving (how about the LuPete wedding immediately afterwards??). As for Izzy being the "queer heart of the show," this is literally the Ed and Stede show. You know, the two queer leads whose queer love the show revolves around, per David Jenkins himself. I'm glad folks connected with and derived joy from Izzy's growth and especially his performance in Calypso's birthday, but he is not the main character of the show. The queer heart of the show is in fact, the entire show, all of their characters and the community & found family they create aboard the Revenge. Not to mention the fan community as well. Izzy was never carrying the show's representation on his back, and frankly that's an absurdly wild take to have (esp when he spent most of s1 actively working against the main queer relationships in the show, attempting to maintain the oppressive status quo of pirate society).

It was bad and irresponsible to have a suicidal character die

Are we forgetting the entire first half of the season where Ed, who was suicidal, kept trying to passively kill himself because he felt he was an unlovable monster, only to be shown that he is in fact loved unconditionally and it gives him the strength to fight for life and triumph against his own self-doubt? The show has spent quite a lot of effort telling viewers that despite feeling damaged or broken you are worthy of love and that you are loved even if it may be hard to see it when you're in a bad place. That you don't need to be fully healed to deserve love and care, and that love and support will help you along your journey. It's incredibly wild to disregard this major plot point and fundamental message of s2 to try and spin this the opposite way for Izzy's character.

Secondly, where are people getting 'Izzy is suicidal' from? Are we going back all the way to episode 2, when he's at his lowest point and fails at his suicide attempt, only to be figuratively reborn after removing the metaphorical rotten leg? By the time of the finale he's shown to be in a good place, thanks to the arc of healing and growth he's gotten, through the support of the Revenge crew and his 'breakup' with Blackbeard allowing him to find his own way in life, realizing he doesn't need a purpose to have value and enjoying his time on the Revenge and the bonds he's made with Stede and the crew. He is, in the words of Ivan, "the most open and available I've ever seen him" by the finale. To take episode 2 as evidence he's suicidal is to erase his whole season of growth, which is an ironic thing to do in the context of these arguments. There's no canon evidence Izzy Hands was suicidal post-'Fun and Games'.

As for 'irresponsible,' once again I say, David Jenkins is not your therapist, he's not 'Dad,' and has no responsibility to tell his story any other way than he intended to tell it. Please find media that gives you what you want or need, and if the death of a fictional character causes you this much distress please seek help. I mean this kindly but seriously.

Killing off Izzy was ableist/bad for disability rep.

I point once again to the rest of the characters, several of which are disabled in varied ways. There are literally multiple other amputee characters specifically. It's not good storytelling to wholly avoid killing off any character that is disabled/queer/poc/female or [insert marginalized group here], especially when a) it makes sense narratively, and b) there's plenty of representation of these groups in the media in question. The answer isn't making such characters invincible and immortal, it's increasing the number of these characters in shows so it's not devastating when some do die in the course of natural storytelling.

OFMD was my comfort show/safe space show, now it's ruined for me

I am not trying to be insensitive here when I say that's a problem that is yours and nobody else's. David Jenkins created this show with a three-season vision and a story in mind, and he is telling that story to the best of his ability the way he wants to. It's already been said that he and the crew did not anticipate the fandom becoming as large and passionate as it has. The plot of the show was never intended to be 'fan service,' and it's ironic that there were people complaining this season that there's been too many fanservice tropes, up until David and the rest of the writers room made a narrative decision they did not like, then the complaints changed to not coddling the fans enough.

We as viewers can derive joy from this show, it can be a comfort to us, it can be important to us. But it was not designed specifically for that purpose, therefore it cannot fail in that respect. We do not have the right to harass writers for not steering the ship in the direction we want - it's their work of art, and we can choose to either come along for the ride or not. It's rare to see creators actually given the chance to tell their story the way they intend (budget cuts aside), so let him do that. He should not cater to fans, or cave and change the story to appease us. Respect his right to create his art, and remember you have the right to create your own. That's what fanfiction is for - write fix-its to your heart's content, but keep these realms separate. David Jenkins and Co hold zero, and I mean zero, responsibility to you. He could not please everyone no matter what he did, it would be fruitless to try, and it would certainly compromise the quality of the story he set out to tell.

You are absolutely allowed to dislike choices made in any show. Curate your media experience. If this show no longer brings you joy, stop watching. But it was never David's purpose nor responsibility to juggle the mental health of millions of fans. Trying to put that on him will only make him less enthusiastic about interacting with fans or continuing to make this show. This isn't rocket science. You're responsible for yourself, not this guy you call 'Dad' that you've developed a parasocial-therapist relationship with.

Izzy should have become captain of the Revenge.

Really?? Firstly, we did actually get that already in s1. He was tyrannical and the crew mutinied. But even if you think 'well after his character arc he'd be better suited to it,' it goes against the point of this arc. He's found value in not having a distinct role or purpose on the ship, decoupling his worth from the job he's expected to perform. He's found his place amongst the crew, not commanding it. There's no narrative reason to put him in charge when he's expressed no further interest in slotting himself back into a role full of pressure and expectations.

Con O'Neill was only told halfway through filming, it's cruel to just kill off the character he loves so much.

Guys, he's an actor. More than that, an actor with a theater background. I think he's used to characters dying. You don't need to look out for him. Con and David spoke one on one about it at length so they were on the same page, and David even said that Con took it well. I'm sure Con had input, just as other members of the cast have influenced their characters' stories, costumes, backstories, etc. Do you really think David Jenkins hurt Con's feelings or something? The writers (remember, it's not just David, it's a whole team of hard-working people coming up with these ideas) gave Con such a chance to shine this season, really developing Izzy beyond what he was given in s1 and letting Con show off his full acting range. Why are you only focusing on the destination rather than the journey? Sure, Con's probably sad to see Izzy go, but please do not project your distress onto him or try and accuse David & Co of being 'cruel' to their cast. That's really ridiculous. It's constantly evident how close they all are.

More importantly, do you actually, seriously think that Con O'Neill would want fans to harass each other or the writers over his character? The man who preaches being kind above all? There is no better way to make an actor uncomfortable about a show and its fanbase than to start treating fictional characters like they're more important than real people. He would not want you to bully people over Izzy Hands, and it's mind-boggling that some of you have convinced yourself otherwise.

Lastly, I just want to talk about the fact that some people are holding OFMD to absurdly high expectations.

Our Flag Means Death has been a pioneer series for its diverse representation, earnest storytelling, and themes of hope, community, and love. It's fine to discuss aspects of the show with a critical eye, but so much of the discourse has truly felt like folks are trying to find fault in a show that is leagues ahead of the average tv series that we still enjoy. How many fan favorites are killed off all the time? How many plotlines are scrapped, or drawn out without closure, or contradicted the very next season? How many shows are indifferent or actively hostile towards their fanbase? How many have any queer characters, or actually do bury them? The bar's so low, and OFMD has risen above to give us so much. Some are holding the show to astronomical expectations, waiting for it to fall from the pedestal it's been placed on. If something you don't like happens in the show, it's not suddenly ruined or demoted to being ~just as bad as those other shows~. Give them some breathing room, have some perspective on how progressive the show is, and that perfection is impossible, especially meeting every single viewer's idea of it. This is basically a repeat of the recent Good Omens drama, with an absurd number of people harassing Neil Gaiman for breaking up Aziraphale and Crowley and leaving the second of three acts on a very predictable cliffhanger. Let stories be told, let them unfold as they may, and you are free to leave anytime. It's so wonderful that more queer love stories are becoming popular and even mainstream, but let's not shoot ourselves in the foot by tearing them down when they don't go exactly the way you want it, which often seems to mean no drama, no character deaths, and therefore no conflict or even plot!

Just, please be civil human beings, and while this seems to be a difficult thing for so many fandoms to do, just keep your fan opinions in the fan space. Never bring your grievances to the writers, never bully them and persecute them for telling a story that you opted into viewing. That's something that goes entirely against everything this show, and this cast and crew, have imparted onto us - the importance of kindness, support, community, and love. I'll say it again because it bears repeating: the fate of a fictional character is never more important than how you treat real people. Just be kind in real life, which includes the internet. Thanks.

Now please, let's work together to ensure we get a season 3. There's so much more story to be told, and if you want to see Izzy back, whether that's as flashbacks, as a ghost haunting the inn, or in the gravy basket, we'll need more episodes! #RenewAsACrew

[ellstronaut]

Going back to this debate

I know Ellle is a multifaceted individual that much is obvious she’s not one dimensional she has many elements to her personality. Additionally, it’s important to remember that even on the spectrum of masculine and feminine, Ellie isn’t completely one or the other. She exists in some sort of grey area between them, embodying both masculine and feminine traits. She’s not defined by one end of the spectrum, but rather by the interplay of these two extremes.

Yet at times the characterisation of Ellie is laced with internalised misogyny. And highlights the way “masc presenting” lesbians are treated in real life tied down to the “man” in the relationship why is Ellie mostly written as the dominant one especially when coupled with fem reader why do we head canon her as a top when it’s literally canon that she’s a switch? Why is there an infinite amount of “ellie taking care of the reader on her period” scenarios outnumber “Reader taking care of Ellie on her period” Ellie written as tall towering over fem reader and not like she’s literally 5’5

The fact is that there’s a heteronormative slant to the way people write her. Like I said almost never written as a switch, but a top. To some extent been portrayed as tall and dominating, never small or vulnerable. And Santa Barbara Ellie is often sexualized even though she is deeply traumatized and emotionally tormented. The problem is that people are viewing her through male-centric lenses, reducing her to an object of desire rather than a fully fleshed out woman with a complex, nuanced personality which includes many dimensions, some of which may be considered feminine.

There is no specific way to be a “masc lesbian” a woman nor feminine and express your femininity. Nor should that separate her from her womanhood/femininity. in a way it’s her way of showing how feminine she is. maybe not stereotypically through outward appearances, but her general identity. she’s a woman who experiences the same struggles that women do, Obviously she doesn’t waver just on the lines of black and white, she’s all rounded. In between. Grey area. The point I’m trying to make is that she’s all and above, you can be both masc and fem. I would add that Ellie's femininity is often overlooked or even belittled by people who only focus on traits that appeal to them. Not her emotional intelligence, her caring nature, her resilience, her dedication to her loved ones. Fuck she’s also a soft heart and a tender soul. These aspects of her are just as important to her character, she is a whole person ffs, exceptionally fleshed out

So fuck

“the hot wife and her hot boyfriend”

Why not

“The hot wife and her hot wife”

“She’s so boyfriend

Uh

“She’s so girlfriend”

Santa Barbara/Seattle is literally at her most vulnerable, disheveled state that girl is literally plagued with trauma, stuck in a limbo of “do I seek vengeance in the name of losing my family and absolutely everything or stay and suffer in silence (at who’s expense?? Hers) Yet we sexualise tf out of her, the most vulnerable pinnacle of existence—glorified and romanticised bc it’s “hot”

this is not a dig at anyone you’re free to write whatever tf you want bro it’s your platform but pls let’s not bs and pretend as of this doesn’t occur

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

any tips would be appreciated, thanks! :)

hi, i was wondering if u could help me with writing a specific type of character? i have a character who’s a man with insecurity issues and he ends up acting weird towards the women around him (basically, he’s internalized the idea of “getting the girl makes you more of a man” without really realizing it). i want him to realize what he’s doing during the story and go thru a kind of “redemption arc” but how do i:

1. make it believable that he doesn’t realize what he’s doing/the harm he’s causing bc he grew up learning that message of toxic masculinity

2. make the “redemption arc” realistic and feel earned?

Hey there, fellow writer! Thanks so much for reaching out with such a thoughtful and complex character question. It's fantastic that you're diving into the nuances of toxic masculinity and character growth. This is a challenging but incredibly important topic to explore in fiction. Let's break this down and dive deep into crafting this character arc.

Understanding Your Character's Background

Before we get into the specifics of your questions, it's crucial to fully understand your character's background. This man's insecurity and internalized toxic masculinity didn't develop overnight. Consider factors like:

Family dynamics: What messages did he receive from his parents or guardians about masculinity and relationships?

Peer influences: How did his friends and classmates reinforce or challenge these ideas?

Media consumption: What movies, TV shows, or books shaped his view of male-female relationships?

Cultural context: How does his broader cultural background influence his beliefs about masculinity?

The more you understand about where these beliefs came from, the more believable his initial lack of self-awareness will be.

Now, let's tackle your specific questions:

Making it believable that he doesn't realize what he's doing/the harm he's causing

The key here is to show how deeply ingrained these beliefs are. Here are some strategies:

a) Normalize it in his world: Show other characters, especially male friends or family members, exhibiting similar behaviors without consequence. This reinforces the idea that it's "normal" or even expected.

b) Internal justification: When he acts in problematic ways, give him internal monologue that justifies his actions. For example, if he makes an inappropriate comment, he might think, "She'll appreciate a confident guy who speaks his mind."

c) Misinterpretation of reactions: When women react negatively to his behavior, have him misinterpret their responses. He might see discomfort as shyness or rejection as playing hard to get.

d) Positive reinforcement: Occasionally, have his behavior "work" in superficial ways. Maybe he gets a phone number or a date, reinforcing the idea that his approach is effective.

e) Backstory reveals: Gradually reveal moments from his past where these beliefs were instilled or reinforced. This could be a father figure praising him for "manning up" or friends mocking him for not being "alpha" enough. (I hate that word.)

f) Contrast with "worse" behavior: Show other characters behaving even more egregiously, making his actions seem mild in comparison.

g) Good intentions: Highlight moments where he genuinely believes he's being helpful or chivalrous, even when his actions are problematic.

h) Cognitive dissonance: When confronted with the negative impacts of his behavior, show him struggling to reconcile this with his beliefs. He might dismiss criticism as overreaction or make excuses.

2. Making the "redemption arc" realistic and feel earned

This is where the real challenge lies. A believable redemption arc for this character needs to be gradual, challenging, and multifaceted. Here's how to approach it:

a) Incremental realization: Don't have him suddenly "see the light." Instead, show small moments of doubt or discomfort with his own behavior building up over time.

b) Consequences: Let him experience real, significant consequences for his actions. This could be losing a friendship, facing professional repercussions, or a moment of clear rejection that he can't misinterpret.

c) Mentor figure: Introduce a character (could be male or female) who challenges his views in a way he can't easily dismiss. This person should be someone he respects or admires.

d) Empathy building: Create situations where he's forced to see things from a woman's perspective. This could be through a role reversal, a close female friend sharing her experiences, or even him witnessing clear harassment of someone he cares about.

e) Internal conflict: Show him struggling with his changing views. He might backslide or have moments of defensiveness as he grapples with his ingrained beliefs.

f) Active learning: Have him actively seek out information and perspectives on toxic masculinity and healthy relationships. This could involve reading, attending workshops, or having difficult conversations.

g) Apologizing and making amends: Show him genuinely apologizing to people he's hurt and taking concrete actions to make amends. This shouldn't be easy or immediately accepted.

h) Ongoing process: Make it clear that this is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Even towards the end of the story, he should still be learning and growing.

i) Paying it forward: Have him start to challenge toxic behavior in others, showing that he's internalized the lessons he's learned.

j) Redefining masculinity: Show him developing a new, healthier concept of what it means to be a man. This might involve exploring traditionally "feminine" interests or expressing vulnerability.

k) Setbacks: Include moments where he falls back into old patterns, but now recognizes and corrects himself. This shows the ongoing nature of change.

Tips for Writing This Arc Effectively:

Show, don't tell: Rather than having your character explicitly state his growth, show it through changed behavior and reactions.

Avoid the "savior" trope: Be cautious about having a woman "fix" him. While female characters can play a role in his growth, the work should ultimately come from him.

Balance sympathy and accountability: While we want readers to sympathize with your character's journey, be careful not to excuse his harmful behavior.

Use multiple perspectives: If possible, show how other characters perceive his behavior and his changes. This can provide valuable context and contrast.

Intersectionality: Consider how other aspects of his identity (race, class, sexuality, etc.) might intersect with his views on masculinity.

Research, research, research: Dive into academic and personal accounts of toxic masculinity, its impacts, and paths to change. The more you understand, the more nuanced your portrayal will be.

Sensitivity readers: Consider using sensitivity readers to ensure you're handling this delicate topic respectfully and accurately.

Micro-changes: Focus on small, specific changes in behavior and thought patterns rather than broad, sweeping transformations.

Realistic timeline: Give this arc the time it needs. Real change doesn't happen overnight, so don't rush the process.

Internal and external changes: Show both how his thoughts and his actions evolve throughout the story.

Example Arc Outline:

Introduction: Establish character's problematic behavior and beliefs.

Inciting incident: An event that first makes him question his actions, even if he dismisses it.

Rising action: Accumulation of experiences that challenge his worldview.

Turning point: A major event that forces him to confront the harm he's causing.

Crisis: Internal struggle as he grapples with changing his deeply held beliefs.

Climax: A moment where he must choose between his old ways and his evolving understanding.

Falling action: Actively working to change and make amends.

Resolution: Showing his ongoing growth and new perspective, while acknowledging the journey isn't over.

Remember, writing a character like this is a delicate balance. You want to show the reality of toxic masculinity and its impacts while also offering a path to growth and change. It's challenging, but when done well, it can be incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.

Throughout this process, it's important to treat your character with empathy while not excusing his behavior. The goal is to show that change is possible, but it requires genuine effort, self-reflection, and a willingness to challenge deeply held beliefs.

Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself while writing this arc. Exploring topics like toxic masculinity can be emotionally taxing. Take breaks when needed, engage in self-care, and remember that by thoughtfully addressing these issues in your writing, you're contributing to important conversations about gender, relationships, and personal growth.

Happy writing, 📝💖 - Rin T.

Before you go, why not join us at The Write Right Society? We're a supportive Tumblr community where writers lift each other up. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, we'd love to have you! Share your work, get feedback, and connect with fellow wordsmiths, writers and aspiring authors. 

[darlynn-dindjarin]

How "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" Succeeds In Portraying Real-World Themes.

The narrative of Darius and Brooklynn in "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" is a poignant and complex one, reflecting the intricate dynamics of relationships set against the backdrop of thrilling dinosaur adventures. The series takes a dramatic turn with the apparent demise of Brooklynn, a key character, at the jaws of an Allosaurus. This event sets off a chain of investigations by Darius and the crew, who are also grappling with being targeted for unknown reasons.

As the story unfolds, it's revealed that Darius was the first to discover the aftermath of the attack, leaving him deeply traumatized. In his struggle to cope with the loss, he continues to send messages to Brooklynn's voicemail, a testament to his profound connection to her. The series also delves into the emotional layers of the characters, showcasing Darius's unreciprocated feelings for Brooklynn, adding depth to their interactions and the overall narrative.

"Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" not only explores the thrilling aspects of its prehistoric setting but also humanizes its characters by exposing their vulnerabilities and the complexities of their interpersonal relationships. The interplay between Darius and Brooklynn's storyline and the overarching mystery surrounding the dinosaurs creates a compelling and multifaceted tale that resonates with audiences beyond the action-packed scenes.

Darius's journey through grief and coping with Brooklynn's loss in "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" is a deeply emotional and humanizing aspect of the series. The narrative does not shy away from the raw and often messy process of mourning. Darius, who had developed a strong bond with Brooklynn, finds himself grappling with a profound sense of loss that affects him both personally and within the group dynamic.

The series portrays Darius's coping mechanisms through various stages, reflecting the complexities of grief. Initially, he is seen in a state of denial, unable to accept Brooklynn's fate. This denial is depicted through his continued attempts to communicate with her via voicemail, hoping for a response. As the reality sets in, Darius experiences a range of emotions, from anger and bargaining to a deep sadness that seems to engulf him.

(We see Darius' Various Calls To Brooklynn, All From After She "Died") In an effort to process his grief, Darius immerses himself in the mission at hand, using the urgency of survival and the need to protect his friends as a way to channel his emotions. The series also shows him finding solace in the memories of Brooklynn, often reflecting on the moments they shared and the impact she had on his life.

The support of the group plays a crucial role in Darius's healing process. The collective grief and shared experiences with the dinosaurs create a bond that allows each character to find strength in one another. Through this support system, Darius begins to find a path toward acceptance, honoring Brooklynn's memory by continuing their shared mission and embracing the responsibilities she left behind.

"Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" presents a nuanced exploration of grief, demonstrating that coping with loss is a personal journey that can take many forms. It highlights the importance of community, remembrance, and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss, providing a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit even amidst prehistoric chaos.

[vanrougenui]

the mischaracterization of idia shroud should be NO must be studied under the microscope because its absolutely crazy

these so called 'idia fans' have such unbelieveable takes about the poor boy i feel disgusted

the issue with a big portion of the twst fandom is that you guys are illiterate obvious things about the characters just goes over the heads of some of you

most people dont reach book 6 to read it and they dont read card stories properly OR at all idk and just base their views and opinions of the character they like from things they have seen on internet from like one glance and thats it

twisted wonderland characters are so multifaceted, so well written. they have so many things about them, complex backstories and personalities that people just choose to ignore and base their perception of them on outdated tropes and clichés

this not only affects idia but every character in the game but i noticed it the most with idia which baffles me because book 6 does such a good job at developing him as a character. we see how he is, his relationship with ortho, how he is ready to give up everything for something he loves so dearly, yet the fandom just reduces him to some 'perverted otaku creep' thats is just bewildering i am so perplexed with this

idia is someone who has a big heart. yes, he is a shut in loser who cant get close to people and struggles with human connections but can you blame him? he knows his fate, he knows he will have to deal with something that was not up to him to decide. in his childhood he lost the very person that he loved the most and made him happy, yet he blamed himself for it, while he was just a curious child who grew up in a secluded environment. he wanted to be the hero to his younger brother but he lost him and was never able to get over the guilt of that. and you guys call this guy a pervert? okay, when in the story does he act like a pervert then? HE DOESNT YEAH.

these weird fetishes people like to have really harm the characters. by just reading the vignettes you can learn so much about the characters, while most of you guys just come up with most insincere phony claims about them. okay you might not have the card to read it (which is a lame excuse everything is on the internet if you want to you can find it and read it) and yes going through the main story can be hard (which is also a lame ass excuse if you level up cards and can pass everything very easily) BUT LIKE THE EVENTS EXIST they dont require shit all you have to do is prettily sit and read and do lessons which is the bare minimum.

i think many of you just forget that twisted wonderland is a visual novel where you have to read dialouges yeah? and not just look at the character and say 'OH YOU I KNOW YOU ARE AN IDIOT AND YOU YOU WILL BE THE CREEPY YANDERE' stop that because of you guys people who get into this game just develop wrong opinions on characters.

dont get me started on fanfiction that mischaracterizes everyone...

i will not say no more this already ended up way too long and for your own good dont mischaractrize the twst characters or i might show up in your at 3am god knows

[olis-inkwell-symposium]

How to Write Multidimensional LGBTQ+ Characters with Authentic Emotional Journeys & Moral Complexities

As a fellow proud member of the alphabet gang, when building LGBTQ+ characters in fantasy, it’s essential to push beyond surface-level representation and craft characters that are fully realized—characters with rich emotional arcs, intricate moral dilemmas, and personal journeys that go beyond their sexuality or gender identity. To do this, the character's identity should be one part of who they are, not the only thing that defines them. Below are some strategies for creating multidimensional LGBTQ+ characters in your fantasy stories.

1. Give Them Full Emotional Arcs

LGBTQ+ characters should have complex emotional lives that don’t just revolve around their sexuality or gender identity. It’s important to explore their hopes, fears, ambitions, and personal struggles just as you would with any other character.

Ask yourself:

What do they desire most in life?

What internal conflicts are they grappling with?

How does their identity shape their view of the world, but also, how do their experiences in this fantasy world impact their identity?

A lesbian warrior who’s conflicted about war may wrestle with the toll it takes on her spirit, her duty to protect her community, and her desire for peace—not just her love for another woman. These internal tensions create depth, making her more than a “token” character.

2. Place Their Identity in Context with the Fantasy World

How does your fantasy world view LGBTQ+ identities? Are they accepted, ignored, or misunderstood? Is there a specific cultural, political, or even magical significance to being queer in your world?

For example, in a world where shape-shifting is common, could gender be seen as fluid, or would rigid gender norms still exist? These questions not only affect how your character navigates the world but also how their identity interacts with the story’s larger themes. A gender-fluid sorcerer might find their powers misunderstood or even feared because of their shifting identity, adding layers to both their personal and external conflicts.

3. Move Beyond Stereotypes

Avoid fully focusing on tired LGBTQ+ tropes like the “tragic queer,” “gay best friend,” or “sassy queer sidekick.” Instead, allow them to occupy spaces where their queerness informs, but doesn’t limit, their roles in the story.

This means allowing LGBTQ+ characters to be:

Heroes and not just mentors or sidekicks.

Villains with moral complexities rather than simply “evil” because they are queer.

Leaders with the same flaws and virtues as any other character.

Relatable without relying on typical stereotypes.

Focus on their unique personalities, decisions, and values, allowing their identity to be one aspect of a multifaceted whole.

4. Explore Moral Complexity

One of the most compelling elements of character-building is the moral struggle. Allow your LGBTQ+ characters to face tough moral choices that aren’t just black and white. This shows that they aren’t infallible paragons of virtue or simplistic villains—they are people with the capacity for light and darkness.

For example, a gay knight may find himself torn between loyalty to his kingdom and the corrupting influence of power. His struggles are not centered on his sexuality, but on how his personal identity interacts with the external pressures of war, duty, and justice. This complexity makes him someone readers can empathize with, even as they wrestle with his choices.

5. Authentic Emotional Journeys

Many LGBTQ+ characters experience moments of personal discovery, whether coming out, finding community, or struggling with self-acceptance. However, these stories shouldn’t be reduced to a single “coming out” narrative.

If your character undergoes a journey of self-discovery, ensure it’s nuanced. Think about:

What are their internal emotional struggles?

What external pressures do they face from society or other characters?

How do their personal discoveries impact their relationships, goals, or views of the world?

6. Build Relationships Beyond Romance

Romance is often one of the main focal points when writing LGBTQ+ characters, but building meaningful, non-romantic relationships is vital. Focus on their bonds with friends, mentors, family, and enemies. These connections give them more texture and depth, allowing readers to see different aspects of their identity.

Develop these bonds to show how they shape your character’s motivations and emotional growth throughout the story.

7. Subvert Expectations

Fantasy offers the perfect space to subvert real-world biases and expectations. Maybe in your world, queerness is the norm, and being straight is the thing that raises eyebrows. Or, perhaps gender identity is fluid, and strict binary definitions are seen as old-fashioned.

This allows you to play with audience assumptions and opens the door to explore LGBTQ+ identities in new and innovative ways. By breaking the mold, you give your characters space to be fully realized individuals within a fantastical, yet meaningful, framework.

Crafting Characters with Complexity

Ultimately, the key to writing multidimensional characters lies in treating them with the same care and attention you would give any other character. Give them goals, flaws, emotional depth, and moral struggles that transcend their identity while still allowing their queerness to enrich their journey. By doing so, you create characters that readers can relate to and root for, regardless of their background.

The goal is not just to create LGBTQ+ representation but to craft complex, authentic characters that will resonate with your audience, making them unforgettable figures in your fantasy world.

[imastoryteller]

How to Craft a Compelling Morally Grey Character: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define the Character’s Core Traits

Identify Strengths and Virtues: List positive traits that make the character likable or admirable. These could include bravery, intelligence, loyalty, or compassion.

Identify Flaws and Vices: List negative traits that add complexity and realism. These could include arrogance, selfishness, impatience, or a propensity for violence.

Step 2: Establish Motivations and Backstory

Create a Detailed Backstory: Develop a background that explains why the character has their particular mix of virtues and flaws. Consider their upbringing, significant life events, and personal experiences.

Determine Core Motivations: Identify what drives the character. Is it revenge, love, ambition, survival, or something else? Motivations should be realistic and relatable.

Step 3: Develop Moral Ambiguity

Set Up Moral Dilemmas: Place your character in situations where they must make difficult choices with no clear right or wrong answer. These dilemmas should challenge their morals and reveal their complexity.

Showcase Contradictions: Allow the character to make decisions that might seem contradictory. For example, they might commit a crime to protect someone they love, revealing both a moral and an immoral side.

Step 4: Create Dynamic Relationships

Construct Meaningful Relationships: Develop relationships with other characters that highlight different aspects of your morally grey character. These relationships can help explore their multifaceted personality.

Use Relationships to Drive Conflict: Relationships can be a source of moral conflict and development. Conflicts with friends, family, or rivals can push your character to reveal their grey areas.

Step 5: Show Consequences and Growth

Illustrate the Impact of Actions: Show the real-world consequences of the character’s morally ambiguous decisions. This adds realism and stakes to the story.

Allow for Character Growth: Let your character evolve. They might become more virtuous or more corrupt over time. This evolution keeps the character dynamic and interesting.

Step 6: Balance Sympathetic and Unsympathetic Traits

Make Them Relatable: Ensure the character has traits or experiences that the audience can relate to or sympathize with, even if they do questionable things.

Maintain Complexity: Avoid making the character too sympathetic or too unsympathetic. The balance between good and bad traits should make the audience feel conflicted about the character.

Step 7: Use Subtlety and Nuance

Avoid Clear Labels: Do not overtly label the character as good or evil. Allow their actions and motivations to speak for themselves.

Employ Subtlety: Use nuanced behavior and dialogue to reveal the character’s moral complexity. Avoid heavy-handed exposition.

Step 8: Test and Refine

Seek Feedback: Share your character with others and seek feedback on their complexity and believability. Adjust based on constructive criticism.

Refine Motivations and Actions: Continuously refine the character’s motivations and actions to ensure they remain compelling and consistent throughout the story.

Example: Crafting a Morally Grey Character

Core Traits:

Strengths: Intelligent, determined, loyal.

Flaws: Arrogant, manipulative, vengeful.

Backstory:

Grew up in a tough neighborhood, witnessing crime and corruption.

Lost a loved one to a gang, fueling a desire for revenge.

Motivations:

Driven by a need to protect their remaining family and seek revenge.

Moral Dilemmas:

Joins a criminal organization to infiltrate it and bring it down from within.

Struggles with the ethical implications of committing crimes for a greater good.

Relationships:

Has a strained relationship with a sibling who disapproves of their methods.

Forms a complicated friendship with a morally upright police officer.

Consequences and Growth:

Faces the legal and emotional consequences of their actions.

Gradually questions their own morality and seeks redemption.

Balance:

Helps the community but uses unethical means.

Shows moments of kindness and ruthlessness.

Subtlety:

Reveals their inner conflict through small actions and dialogue.

Avoids overt explanations of their morality, letting the audience interpret.

By following these steps, you can create a compelling morally grey character that adds depth and intrigue to your story.

---

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[leejenowrld]

across all your jeno fics, in your eyes, mfal, after all this time, jeno is characterised in similar ways. i wanted to ask is there a particular reason? and i wanted to ask, what would you consider his flaws to be? (the jeno portrayed in your works)

jeno’s characterization across ‘in your eyes,’ ‘my first and last,’ and ‘after all this time’ has a consistent persona because i’ve always found it easy and fitting to portray him as a confident, assertive, intelligent and dominant man. but with underlying layers of vulnerability, softness and emotional depth. in my fics, jeno is always deeply attuned to his partner’s needs, often understanding what you want without needing to be told. he’s naturally a people pleaser, but it’s never out of obligation—it’s because he genuinely wants the reader to feel like you’re his priority. whether it’s emotional support, physical care, or sexual pleasure, jeno’s focus is always on giving. he’s a natural leader, guiding the relationship with kindness and attentiveness, and he’s a provider who makes sure his partner feels safe, cherished, and deeply satisfied at all times. he will go down on you if it’s what you need, he will hold you and comfort you when you cry in his arms, he will silently help you out by doing your chores and cooking for you, it’s his love language.

sexually, jeno often takes control in my fics. i’m a firm believer of hard dom jeno. whether through rough, fast-paced sex or teasing dominance. he knows exactly what he wants and isn’t shy about making that clear. he’s cocky in bed, constantly praising the reader, teasing you, and pushing your limits. this assertiveness works well in his relationships because, despite his strong sexual presence, there’s always an element of care and emotional connection. not only is he using his dominance to control; it’s also a way to deepen the bond between him and the reader. the tension between his confidence and the moments where he shows vulnerability, when he’s fully present and giving himself emotionally, is what makes his character so fitting and so important. it’s like he’s dominant because he knows the reader trusts him, and that trust brings out his softer side.

as for his flaws, jeno’s bluntness and straightforwardness can sometimes come across as too harsh or confrontational. while his honesty is refreshing, he doesn’t always filter his words, which can unintentionally hurt others. his passion, while admirable, can be overwhelming. he cares deeply, but that intensity can make him too forceful in certain situations, leading to arguments or tension. his strong emotions sometimes drive him to act before thinking, especially when it comes to protecting or defending his partner, making him seem too rigid or uncompromising.

his cocky, dominant nature is sexy and fits well with the intense, passion-driven relationships i’ve written, but it also leaves room for growth, showing that while he’s confident on the surface, he still has areas where he needs to learn how to open up emotionally and let go of his need for control. this adds complexity to his character, making him more than just a one-dimensional dominant figure. he’s multifaceted, driven by a desire to both protect and possess, while also being scared of fully revealing his vulnerable side.

sometimes, jeno is confused about what he actually wants versus what he feels like he should want. as seen in ‘in your eyes’, he often acts based on external expectations rather than following his heart. this conflict means he doesn’t always prioritize his own needs or feelings, which leads him to make choices that aren’t aligned with who he really is. he’s incredibly intense in everything—whether it’s communication, sex, drugs, alcohol, or his dedication to his studies and gym—his all-or-nothing mindset can push him to extremes, making balance difficult. this intensity, while admirable, can be overwhelming, leading him to burnout or making decisions driven by impulse rather than thought. it makes him susceptible to emotional stress, and his tendency to bottle things up adds to this internal conflict.

i fucking loved writing this and delving info jeno

[writing-with-sophia]

How to write a good Anti-Hero? How to find the perfect balence, lay out a good personality + backstory?

I love your blog so much! Your suggestions are so helpful💕

Writing a good Anti-Hero

I'm glad that my blog can be of assistance to you! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a well-rounded anti-hero:

Identify Their Key Traits: Start by identifying the key traits and characteristics of your anti-hero. Consider what makes them different from a traditional hero and how those traits contribute to their complex nature. Are they cynical, charismatic, or morally ambiguous? List these traits to have a clear picture of who they are.

Develop a Compelling Backstory: Create a backstory that justifies the anti-hero's behavior and motivations. Their backstory should provide insight into their past experiences, traumas, or circumstances that shaped their worldview. Consider how their backstory influences their choices and drives their actions.

Establish Their Moral Code: Define the anti-hero's moral code and ethical boundaries. Anti-heroes often operate in shades of gray, so their moral code may be different from society's expectations. Determine what principles guide their actions and explore the conflicts that arise when their code clashes with societal norms.

Flaws and Vulnerabilities: Give your anti-hero flaws and vulnerabilities that make them relatable to readers. Flaws could include arrogance, a short temper, or a tendency to push people away. Vulnerabilities humanize the anti-hero and create opportunities for character growth and development.

Motivations and Goals: Clearly define the anti-hero's motivations and goals, which may be complex and multifaceted. Determine what drives them and what they seek to achieve. Their motivations can evolve throughout the story as they confront challenges and face personal revelations.

Create Conflicting Relationships: Develop relationships for your anti-hero that challenge their beliefs and motivations. These relationships can include allies, enemies, or ambiguous connections. Interactions with other characters can push the anti-hero to question their choices and evolve as a character.

Internal Conflict and Dilemmas: Explore the internal conflict your anti-hero experiences as they navigate their choices and actions. They may struggle with the consequences of their morally ambiguous behavior or question the validity of their goals. Internal conflict adds depth and complexity to their journey.

Moments of Empathy and Redemption: Provide moments of empathy and potential redemption for your anti-hero. Show glimpses of their capacity for goodness or selflessness, even if it's buried beneath their rough exterior. These moments can create emotional connections with readers and open the possibility for redemption arcs.

Growth and Change: Allow your anti-hero to experience growth and change throughout the story. This can involve challenging their beliefs, confronting their flaws, or reevaluating their moral code. Their journey should be transformative, leading to personal development and self-reflection. Remember to demonstrate your anti-hero's growth and transformation through their actions and choices. Instead of relying solely on internal monologues or self-reflection, emphasize how their behavior and decisions shift over time.

Avoid Excessive Villainy: While anti-heroes may engage in morally ambiguous actions, be cautious not to make them excessively villainous or unsympathetic. Give them redeeming qualities or justifications for their behavior to maintain reader interest and empathy.

Consistency and Complexity: Ensure consistency and complexity in your anti-hero's personality. They should feel like fully fleshed-out individuals with nuanced emotions, motivations, and reactions. Avoid one-dimensional portrayals and explore the various facets of their character.

Reader Engagement: Keep readers engaged by providing them with a window into the anti-hero's thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This can be achieved through introspection, dialogue, or interactions with other characters.

There are some questions to help you develop a well-rounded anti-hero with a balanced personality and backstory:

Personality:

What are the defining traits and characteristics of your anti-hero? How do these traits set them apart from traditional heroes?

How does your anti-hero interact with others? Are they charismatic, aloof, or manipulative?

What flaws does your anti-hero possess? How do these flaws contribute to their complexity and relatability?

What vulnerabilities does your anti-hero have? How do these vulnerabilities influence their behavior and choices?

How does your anti-hero handle conflict and adversity? Are they hot-headed, strategic, or unpredictable?

What defense mechanisms or coping mechanisms does your anti-hero employ to protect themselves emotionally?

How does your anti-hero's personality influence their relationships with other characters in the story?

Backstory:

What significant events or traumas from their past have shaped your anti-hero's worldview and motivations?

How do these past experiences contribute to their moral code and ethical boundaries?

Are there any formative relationships or connections in your anti-hero's backstory that have influenced their behavior?

What led your anti-hero to adopt their morally ambiguous or unconventional methods?

How does your anti-hero's backstory justify their motivations and goals?

Are there any unresolved conflicts or unfinished business from their past that drive their actions in the present?

How does your anti-hero's backstory create internal conflicts and dilemmas for them throughout the story?

Balancing the character:

How do you strike a balance between your anti-hero's morally ambiguous actions and their redeeming qualities?

What moments of empathy or vulnerability can you include to make your anti-hero relatable and sympathetic to readers?

How does the anti-hero's moral code and personal motivations create conflicts and challenges for them?

In what ways can you show the growth and evolution of your anti-hero's personality and beliefs over the course of the story?

How do the relationships and interactions with other characters challenge or influence your anti-hero's personality and choices?

What internal conflicts or dilemmas does your anti-hero face as they navigate their morally gray path?

How can you create opportunities for your anti-hero to question their actions, reflect on their choices, and potentially pursue redemption?

Remember, crafting a compelling anti-hero requires careful consideration of their traits, backstory, and journey. Aim for complexity, relatability, and a balance between their morally ambiguous actions and redeeming qualities. With thoughtfulness and depth, you can create an anti-hero that captivates readers and challenges traditional notions of heroism.

Additionally, if you need, you can find the post on villain redemption here.

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