![]() |
#1 |
Writer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 117
Karma: 560236
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London UK
Device: none
|
Why do so few thrillers central characters have a life?
Obsessed cops, psycho killer elites and downbeat spies. Why can thriller heros not be upbeat fun loving sexually alive individuals?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Sci-Fi Author
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,158
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
But that would break the cliche!!
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,085
Karma: 722357
Join Date: Feb 2010
Device: PRS-505
|
Happy families are happy alike; unhappy families are unhappy differently. (name that quote!)
Related: A long time ago, in a multi-player game far, far away, I was reading applications from prospective members of what you could think of as a role-playing group, detailing their characters' backgrounds. Every last one of them was an orphan. Every bloody one. I asked a friend "how come we don't get apps from people whose happy parents saved up to send them to the big city to join our (highly respected) career path?" But they didn't. It became the subpath joke that we must be running an orphanage. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Warrior Princess
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 5,038
Karma: 9724231
Join Date: Sep 2009
Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Sci-Fi Author
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,158
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
Worldwalker: That kinda goes along with the "beam me up, scotty" joke about sci-fi too. Or that all the greatest military leaders in history never married, or were only married briefly, and their wives died, leaving them to live a life of solitude as a military commander.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
Enthusiast
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 25
Karma: 15000
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Midwest USA
Device: Kobo Libra 2
|
Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 11,310
Karma: 43993832
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)
|
I think it's because you don't expect someone who has a life to become involved in events that are likely to occur in thrillers. I mean if a cop is obsessed with catching a particular bad guy for example chances are his personal relationships (and maybe his work as well) will suffer for it. Similar things apply to the others as well. For whatever reason personal lives suffer due to their activities.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Warrior Princess
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 5,038
Karma: 9724231
Join Date: Sep 2009
Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Literacy = Understanding
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 4,833
Karma: 59674358
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The World of Books
Device: Nook, Nook Tablet
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Writer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 117
Karma: 560236
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London UK
Device: none
|
There should be scope for "real characters" in thrillers who are believable and human caught up in dramatic series of events. 99% of thrillers, especially crime thrillers are so far off any connection with reality as to make them hard to read. Surely a middle ground can be found that makes for a good story without stretching credibility too far
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Sci-Fi Author
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,158
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
Ya know, I may not be a thriller writer, but I could very easily write a thriller if I wanted to that didn't have some messed up individual as the centerpiece. Heck, I could have it star a stay at home mother with super powers and still make it better than most traditional thrillers. lol.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 11,310
Karma: 43993832
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)
|
Why not try it and see then Steven? If you succeed great, and if you find it more difficult than you expect then you will have expanded yourself as a writer. So either way you would stand to gain from the experience.
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Sci-Fi Author
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,158
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
|
Actually, once I get done with my present backlist of books, I just might. Heck, I'll be in need of some fresh content anyways.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Killing Mum, a crime thriller | allanguthrie | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 15 | 03-22-2011 03:49 PM |
Can PRS-650 display Central European characters? | mato1981 | Sony Reader | 5 | 10-13-2010 06:34 AM |
Any Indie Medical Thrillers? | Critteranne | Reading Recommendations | 7 | 02-10-2010 06:00 PM |
Alan S Boyd - 2 medical thrillers | AbFabGab | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 22 | 03-24-2009 10:01 PM |
Sci-Fi Psychological Thrillers? | sam1am | Reading Recommendations | 1 | 07-24-2008 07:37 PM |