My characters all have destinies rather than potential. But they treat it the same way. There aren't many prophecies about what they will do. In fact, I think there's only one major one. In the first book, there's a prophecy about the villain's death. He takes steps to avoid it. There's a chance the prophecy won't come true, because the prophecy is an if prophecy. (If this happens, this will be how.) So he takes the precautions to avoid it. Spoiler The protagonist learns the prophecy during the climax and has an epiphany, realizing how to trigger the prophecy and does so. It's a turn from setting out on a quest to fulfill a prophecy; the protagonists don't even learn it until the climax chapters. They're traveling ignorant to the secrets that suddenly surround them. They aren't, however, oblivious. They notice things are a bit weird. When the truth is revealed, however, it seems too preposterous; the stuff happening hasn't been as weird as the story attached to it. At the climax, though, they realize it's all true, and at the very end, everything is explained. Their objective is completely separate from destroying the villain, because they don't even know he's a villain-- or that he's trying to follow them while they think they're coming to him. Anyway, the reason my potentials are technically destinies is because my characters acknowledge the existence of an omnipotent writer. Only the wizards have definite evidence I exist though; the common folk rely on what they're taught, and some are atheists or believe in different powers. Also, the book that tells them about me instructs them to act as though they have free will. And how can they do that if they know it's not true? Because I make them do it. And because it's not fair that they have no control over their actions, everyone in my universe goes to heaven as compensation.
Well we do have free will. Back to the discussion: I actually don't have an issue with chosen ones, for the most part. I read one book where it felt gimmicky, but I still enjoyed the book. Of course, I'm grossly underread, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. (and I know underread isn't a word, but I'm too tired to find a better way to say it)
It felt right until you said there was a better way to say it. Thanks for driving me crazy trying to figure out what it is.
Sounds pretty interesting. I take it you're dropping hints throughout the story that will lead to the reveal? I always love a book with good rereadability. Uh, there are already a group of people with that mentality in real life. They're called Calvinists. xD
Through the first book there will only be hints, but it will be revealed after it is confirmed to the mentor characters that the protagonist is the chosen one, who when fully realized, has the Rishnaran speak directly to him. Uh, there are already a group of people with that mentality in real life. They're called Calvinists. xD[/QUOTE] I know. Doesn't make them right. Plus, they believe in a hell and in my book there is only a heaven.
True. It's more of a "it's already decided who's going where" mentality. Oh good. I like to be able to reread books and be like "oh hey, THAT's what that means. xD
Oh, very interesting post! In fact, I've actually posted about a similar problem in my own WIP,which was basically if adding magic to a setting with aliens and reencarnation was too gimmicky. The general consensus was that if it's relatively lowkey, with well defined rules, and an explanation/origin that ties in nicely with other themes in the story, random shit like this can be pulled off. I agree with the sentiment, so go ahead into the crazy stuff Furthermore, might be just me, but I feel dragons fit in really well with the steampunk aesthetic? I feel the whole steam machines, leather clothes, steampunk goggles vibe can tie in really well with dragons.
True. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of it. I can't wait till finals week is over and I can get into writing.
Tropes are a good thing, especially in a fantasy genre. Within fantasy, you spend an awful lot of time describing your world. Popular tropes like dragons are great, because it requires less description than creating a totally unique creature. The reader can imagine a dragon easily, with minimal text to describe its characteristics. The same goes for steampunk. The only time it wont work is if the reader feels the trope feels unnatural to the story. Some Writers force certain tropes into their stories when they don't belong. This is when they feel overplayed. If you think steampunk and dragons make sense for your plot, than go for it!
