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  1. SolZephyr

    SolZephyr Member Supporter

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    How OOC is too OOC?

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by SolZephyr, Oct 20, 2020.

    I know I personally can't stand to see characters act out of character for the sake of drama, but I recognize that not everyone behaves consistently, either, and sometimes a little stretch for the sake of the story may be necessary (and I'm aware that some people will disagree with that statement).

    The titular question crossed my mind when I realized how much better the conflict would be if my MC's mentor simply didn't tell her about his plan. After further thought, I decided his decision isn't that bad ("protect her from tremendous guilt and a possible existential crisis" vs "be honest out of respect"), but it still got me thinking.

    How OOC is too OOC?
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2020
  2. Thomas Larmore

    Thomas Larmore Senior Member

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    If "OOC" means "out of character" then I believe a character should always be "IC".
     
  3. Laurin Kelly

    Laurin Kelly Contributor Contributor

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    It's too OOC if you can't 1) come up with a internally satisfying reason for the character to do what they're doing and 2) find a way to show the reader what this reason is based on previous actions/thoughts.

    Sometimes we run into problems with #1 when we love the idea of a piece of dialogue or a scene, even though it doesn't really mesh with the character. Been there, done that, so I totally understand; but if you're truly writing something for a character that serves you as the writer but not the characterization, it's time to trot out that old chestnut and kill a few darlings.

    #2 is really important. I've definitely had to go back and work examples/thoughts in retroactively to show why my character would do something seemingly OOC, after feedback from a beta reader/editor. It's hard sometimes to remember that readers don't live inside our heads and know what we know, and it's only with outside assistance I can see where I've messed up on that front.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2020
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  4. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    For me, the line is crossed when it genuinely doesn't make sense within the narrative. You are 100% correct that we - humans - are anything but perfectly predictable and we do indeed engage in utterly unintuitive behaviors all the time - each and every one of us.

    But a story is not real life, in the same way that the dialogue found within any book is not remotely representative of our normal modes of day-to-day discourse.

    So, I'm down for a character making a strange decision so long as that strange decision has some kind of rationale within the character's envelope. If it's just because "plot works better this way", and I feel the shoe-horn, then that's the crossed line.
     
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