Fanfic Writer Needs Help w/River Characterization by Talrius

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Fanfic Writer Needs Help w/River Characterization

POSTED BY: TALRIUS
UPDATED: Sunday, May 4, 2003 10:17
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VIEWED: 3259
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Saturday, May 3, 2003 1:46 PM

Okay, I try and I try but I just can't write crazy. Those good at River can you help? I want to write good River, any 'real' tips on how to do this would be welcome. I'm really not in the mood for BS.

I had another question but I can't think of it right now.

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Saturday, May 3, 2003 2:36 PM

SUCCATASH

Talrius, go put on your mom's dress and then pretend you are a crazy teenage girl.

Even if it doesn't help your fanfic, it could be fun.

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Saturday, May 3, 2003 2:37 PM

SUCCATASH

Quote:
Originally posted by Talrius:
I'm really not in the mood for BS.

Sorry, I guess I didn't read carefully enough.

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Saturday, May 3, 2003 3:16 PM

TRISANAMCGRAW

What exactly is the situation of your fanfic? Is it a walk through her mind, is she speaking to a certain character, or what? For me, I've always written metaphors/similes for her. For instance, I wrote this in my fic Bloody Echoes:

Quote:
They’re (the voices in her head) like guests who won’t leave; they come inside without ringing the doorbell and won’t go away when she asks, orders, pleads . . . begs. They don’t hear her; their minds are filled with the sounds of their own voices and their own sufferings.

They think no one else can hear, but she can. She tries to cover her ears, tries to block out the overwhelming tide of emotions, but they seep through her ears, like warm, sticky blood.

Hope that helps.

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Saturday, May 3, 2003 3:50 PM

TALRIUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
Talrius, go put on your mom's dress and then pretend you are a crazy teenage girl.

Even if it doesn't help your fanfic, it could be fun.

I've tried this. It didn't help. Now my Mom thinks I'm a transvestite. She said that it was cute when I did it as a kid but now that I'm grown up it's just wrong.

Succatash that no BS doesn't pretain to you. I make exceptions for you.

--------------------------------------------------
DOBSON: I'm supposed to be meeting my wife's sister. I've only got a few days to see her...

ZOE: I wish there was another way...

DOBSON: Oh, no, no. That woman is like a dragon. I mean, I believe she has a tail. If there's any other moons we need to visit, or if we could just
fly very slowly...

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Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:14 PM

PAPERWASTER

I don't know if this might help, but you could give it a shot. Write out what would be considered "normal dialouge". Then using a Thesaurus you could try to turn it into "River dialouge" by using the most unusual phrases or words that you find.

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Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:10 AM

SARAHETC

Quote:
Originally posted by Talrius:
Okay, I try and I try but I just can't write crazy. Those good at River can you help? I want to write good River, any 'real' tips on how to do this would be welcome.

As opposed to false tips?

Tal, you don't need anybody's help to do this. You love the show. You've internalized it. Listen for River's voice and write what she says, just like you do for Mal and Book.

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Sunday, May 4, 2003 9:52 AM

TZEGHA

I think River is more than speaking in metaphors. There's a reason that she does that. She's confused, she's emotionally stunted and sheltered. She's sometimes lucid. Sometimes she's aware that she's not making any sense and she's frustrated. Sometimes she's in her own little world. Sometimes she's aware of danger, sometimes she's very ignorant of it.

She's erratic, and that's what makes her hard to write.

First advice, read the scripts at Buffyscripts or Whoa. Good Myth.

Figure out what her mental status is, or what you need it to be. Is she lucid like the bulk of OiS? Is she speaking in metaphors of a danger, but simultaneously unaware of the fact that there is a danger?

What we know of River, she's naturally morbid and imaginative (Safe flashbacks), she's got a wicked sense of humor (Safe), she's childish, pouty, petulant, incredibly smart, empathetic in her more lucid moments. Easily distracted ("Crickets!" ~Safe)

Figure out where she is mentally, how aware she is, what you want her to say, and then you can rework that into appropriately broken or lucid River-speech.

Hope that helps!

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Sunday, May 4, 2003 10:09 AM

TALRIUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Sarahetc:
As opposed to false tips?

People being funny and the like. I needed serious help on this.

Quote:
Listen for River's voice and write what she says, just like you do for Mal and Book.

Thanks.

--------------------------------------------------
DOBSON: I'm supposed to be meeting my wife's sister. I've only got a few days to see her...

ZOE: I wish there was another way...

DOBSON: Oh, no, no. That woman is like a dragon. I mean, I believe she has a tail. If there's any other moons we need to visit, or if we could just
fly very slowly...

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, May 4, 2003 10:17 AM

TALRIUS

Thanks all. These tips are great. I want to write true to the characters as possible. And my characterization of River was hurting. She, being a focus character for my fics; I wanted to nail her characterization down. I think I have a good grasp now. You're welcome to ring in any more advice.

--------------------------------------------------
DOBSON: I'm supposed to be meeting my wife's sister. I've only got a few days to see her...

ZOE: I wish there was another way...

DOBSON: Oh, no, no. That woman is like a dragon. I mean, I believe she has a tail. If there's any other moons we need to visit, or if we could just
fly very slowly...

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

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