tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post2694569909274270141..comments2023-05-12T15:43:13.657+08:00Comments on Alyssa Carlier | The Devil Orders Takeout: Inverting the HeroAlyssa Carlierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-78091919453312406712015-08-15T13:18:34.007+08:002015-08-15T13:18:34.007+08:00Thank you, Zoe! To be honest, I am probably fallin...Thank you, Zoe! To be honest, I am probably falling into another trope while trying to avoid one, but rounding characters out based on tropes is really fun. :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-78447769278932688652015-08-15T13:16:37.253+08:002015-08-15T13:16:37.253+08:00Aaaah, thank you, Taylor! On the other hand, thoug...Aaaah, thank you, Taylor! On the other hand, though, I'd be completely lost trying to write a contemporary, so go you for writing that too :) I actually ran out of ideas at the planning stage, so I dropped by TV Tropes for inspiration! And yeah, since this rewriting round is really just turning it into longhand prose, it didn't need that long a break. I'll be taking my break after the rewriting while my alpha readers tear it apart :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-78553692402197445682015-08-15T13:15:03.693+08:002015-08-15T13:15:03.693+08:00Tropes are really fun to play with. So happy you f...Tropes are really fun to play with. So happy you find it useful enough to keep it for reference! And well, considering that I immediately have an image of a brooding merling, I wouldn't say it's not riveting. Quite the opposite :)<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by, Beth!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-79612813934038942162015-08-15T13:14:14.759+08:002015-08-15T13:14:14.759+08:00Aww, thank you, Ashley! Great to know you love it ...Aww, thank you, Ashley! Great to know you love it :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-75747556942375194662015-08-15T05:13:06.732+08:002015-08-15T05:13:06.732+08:00This is such an incredible post Alyssa! I think it...This is such an incredible post Alyssa! I think it's so great that you're going against the norms and making a strong and well-developed protagonist that <i>doesn't</i> follow all the current fads and tropes. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! ♥Zoe N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08980248647201093593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-87132041193459466052015-08-14T21:42:27.934+08:002015-08-14T21:42:27.934+08:00So first of all, I have to say: Your story ideas a...So first of all, I have to say: Your story ideas always sound so complex and political, and I think if I tried to write something like this I'd get hopelessly lost before I even started--so kudos to you!<br /><br />Aside from that, though, I think it's really interesting that you took the time to research hero tropes and then turn them on their heads to create Thomas, and he sounds like a well-rounded (if somewhat unlikable, haha) protagonist. Also, I feel like you just started this book, how are you already revising it?! (Good luck with revisions, by the way!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13960038755760757791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-13242249086843847402015-08-14T15:58:51.536+08:002015-08-14T15:58:51.536+08:00I.... need to learn more about tropes, ASAP! This ...I.... need to learn more about tropes, ASAP! This was a really interesting article, Alyssa. I'll definitely be revisiting it as soon as I actually have a plotline in mind for my hero. As it stands... I got nothing. Expect that he likes the sea. Riveting, no?<br />Beth x<br />www.thequietpeople.comBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673018973472849465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-58043126819826211032015-08-14T13:19:41.357+08:002015-08-14T13:19:41.357+08:00I really like this! I don't know what else to ...I really like this! I don't know what else to say, because I just really LOVE this! <br /><br />Okay, I'm done now. a.n.g.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03667996517318905980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-40295202542240074592015-08-13T19:45:20.124+08:002015-08-13T19:45:20.124+08:00THANK YOU THANK YOU. My revisions will determine i...THANK YOU THANK YOU. My revisions will determine if I can execute this well, soooo. :S Actually, I suppose the You Killed My Father trope is pretty common, but a mother who encourages vengeance is rare, because apparently mums are all protective hens.<br /><br />Thank you for dropping by, Nirvana!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-15557304912472789692015-08-13T19:43:48.443+08:002015-08-13T19:43:48.443+08:00YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES C...YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES COME FREE. Oh yeah, Tremolo didn't have much in the way of grey morality, but I trust your word ... but you MUST let me read your fantasies sometime. Or get them published so I can throw money at you. His mother is the best. I don't even know how someone so awesome can give rise to the brat-spawn Thomas.<br /><br />Thank you! I'm trying to use more gifs, so it's great to know it's working XDAlyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-3650033803788289612015-08-13T19:40:03.748+08:002015-08-13T19:40:03.748+08:00THANK YOU AIMEE. I actually read that post a while...THANK YOU AIMEE. I actually read that post a while back, and it was THE BEST. And yeah, I just started writing Thomas and said to him, "Like, you? You're never gonna have friends." And it just happened.<br /><br />I actually pulled the idea off Tumblr, or at least the articulation, but I intended from the beginning his family would be a huge support. That's not to say she's not protective, but his mother is THE BESTEST.Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-81351319540456102472015-08-13T19:38:00.069+08:002015-08-13T19:38:00.069+08:00Hmm, yeah, some trope subversions have become trop...Hmm, yeah, some trope subversions have become tropes in their own right. Thanks for the reassurance Thomas is still a complex character -- and as for your question. You ask the right questions, therefore I don't give the answer. Muahaha. XDAlyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-38491566122456229162015-08-13T19:36:33.457+08:002015-08-13T19:36:33.457+08:00A fun pastime. A procrastime, if I might make the ...A fun pastime. A procrastime, if I might make the pun. XD I THINK THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT I CAN'T WRITE UNPROBLEMATIC CHARACTERS. I should blog about one of my cinnamon rolls someday. And yeah, I'm totally ignoring him in favour of thinking about my side cast. It'll help with curing his brattiness XD<br /><br />YAY JOIN THE CLUB. (And well, since I do the same for OtMS, I think you're slightly better off. At least MTY has a complete first draft. (Okay, okay, I'll stop guilt-tripping.))Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-7823414919475952022015-08-13T19:33:07.112+08:002015-08-13T19:33:07.112+08:00Mmm, right, Thomas thinks he's in the right, h...Mmm, right, Thomas thinks he's in the right, he might be in the right, a couple other characters think he's in the right. But he might not be, and basically I want to rip my readers apart when they teeter from one side to another. We shall see if I succeed. :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-32938095267762662082015-08-13T19:32:46.168+08:002015-08-13T19:32:46.168+08:00OKAY BUT THIS. ALL OF THIS. This is perhaps the mo...OKAY BUT THIS. ALL OF THIS. This is perhaps the most ingenious character I've seen, but hey, everything I've seen of Matroyoshka so far has been fabulous. And I love the fact that you made sure that it was dad that needed to be avenged and his mom was the one who raised him to be that. I've seen this trope so much everywhere (think, for example, all of Supernatural) so yes THANK YOU. And I second Cait, that was excellent usage of gifs xDDNirvana @ Quenching the Quillhttp://nirvanaamjad.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-44483697856604097512015-08-13T19:31:44.303+08:002015-08-13T19:31:44.303+08:00Thank you, Thomas! Oh yes, Thomas is a self-centre...Thank you, Thomas! Oh yes, Thomas is a self-centred brat, he just doesn't quite know it. Not at the beginning, at least XD It's funny, though, because in the book only Thomas and Mallister, the most antagonist-y of my antagonists, are in it for personal gain. Interesting parallel, thank you so much for the suggestion! :DAlyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-55631842414217763262015-08-13T19:30:11.037+08:002015-08-13T19:30:11.037+08:00OH YES THAT IS TRUE. I don't think every trope...OH YES THAT IS TRUE. I don't think every trope is a cliche, or that it's possible to write anything without falling into one trope of another.<br /><br />Ohhh, you're just going to love Matryoshka, or at least my twisted mind. Mwahahaha. I really ought to read The 100 -- it's on my to-watch list after Mad Max: Fury Road! And oh my, that would be a LOVELY epitaph. Pun not intended XDAlyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-52823814435293861042015-08-13T19:27:53.555+08:002015-08-13T19:27:53.555+08:00TV Tropes is the best, except when it eats all you...TV Tropes is the best, except when it eats all your time and you didn't write anything at all XD Oh yeah, I think I read that article once (pfft, which article have I not read) and it was super intriguing.<br /><br />Huh, I didn't really think of him as an anti-hero, but probably he is. (This is why I blog about my writing. So you guys can point out glaringly obvious things I missed.) Thanks, Alex!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-87281172664453882112015-08-13T18:13:13.115+08:002015-08-13T18:13:13.115+08:00TURNING TROPES ON THEIR HEADS? YES PLEASE AND THAN...TURNING TROPES ON THEIR HEADS? YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU. I always prefer characters who are complicated and hopefully waltz in grey areas (hehe, yes I know I write too many black and white characters myself BUT MY FANTASIES ARE DIFFERENT, I SWEAR) and I looove heroes who have dubious sides. I don't even know why?! It makes them more relatable?<br /><br />And his mother is encouraging his revenge plot. Omg. I love this.<br /><br />Also fantastic gif usage. XDCG @ Paper Furyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954615708675952085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-59023788830890930772015-08-13T17:20:00.666+08:002015-08-13T17:20:00.666+08:00GIRLLLL I LOVED THIS POST SO MUCH! *fist pumps* Al...GIRLLLL I LOVED THIS POST SO MUCH! *fist pumps* Also I recently posted about <a href="http://thesocialpotato.maryfaye.net/2015/07/30/5-character-stereotypes-revamped/" rel="nofollow">breaking some character stereotypes</a>, so I'm still on the anti-stereotypes high. ;)<br /><br />I love all of your points, especially the second and fourth! The first and third *sometimes* happen (and boy do I appreciate authors who do so), but those other two, not so much. In real life, the "glue" who keeps groups together is usually the not-so-*there* one. At least, from personal experience. Also, this --> "Because really, what fifteen-year-old is excellent at politics compared to a forty-something lady who was a Governor's lover for two decades and in exile from a Prime Minister for another?" HECK YES.Aimee (Aimee, Always)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12987337914677408281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-25478778040795319012015-08-13T13:11:46.348+08:002015-08-13T13:11:46.348+08:00I love a good trope subversion, especially when it...I love a good trope subversion, especially when it's done in an unexpected way (since I feel trope subverting alone itself if becoming a trope)<br /><br />Thomas sound like a wonderful and complex hero, though! I especially love the sound of his motives and his inability to befriend people easily. Also, one must know, does he get the girl?Aenteehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18353847569580873891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-428303492772614292015-08-13T12:45:28.577+08:002015-08-13T12:45:28.577+08:00Subverting tropes is legit the best. Also, looking...Subverting tropes is legit the best. Also, looking for more ways to do it is a very, very fun pastime. ANYWAY ALL YOUR CHARACTERS ARE MY PROBLEMATIC FAVES (look, the caps have resurfaced; I knew they wouldn't stay away for long). Thomas sounds so fascinating, although it seems like he's taken a backseat because your entire side + villain cast is so amazing. <br /><br />He's basically surrounded by layered, complex women who are much more strong-willed than he is? I AM VERY HERE FOR THIS. *has feels for unread book* *is always having feels for unread books tbh*Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18026486536323823218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-57237416129734334002015-08-13T12:30:57.942+08:002015-08-13T12:30:57.942+08:00Ooh, I love how you played with the characteristic...Ooh, I love how you played with the characteristics out there so that Thomas is heroic but not TOO heroic, by which I mean not everyone would justify his deeds or find value in his virtues. I think it is amazing, and I'm also interested to learn more about the mother-son relationship, especially because that was explored in the Grisha Trilogy and that was fascinating. <br /><br />Keep revising, because this sounds great! :DHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16797485444727976121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-58193352571841256442015-08-13T10:18:31.765+08:002015-08-13T10:18:31.765+08:00Thomas sounds awesome. The generic hero IS SO BORI...Thomas sounds awesome. The generic hero IS SO BORING, and I love it when I can find a character that completely turns the trope on its head. Who has morals and motives in the grey areas of life, because HEY that's where most of us live (to pretend we are all the hero in our own story is a little ridiculous. I mean, everyone can be selfish, and we've all done something [at least ONCE, probably more] that was for pure personal gain, and nothing else - OH SO VILLAINOUS).<br /><br />Anyway, I am so keen on reading this book because of all your posts about it! I feel like I know so much and yet still so little *screaming*Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04181153932836441611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-54464800672368862652015-08-13T05:48:00.209+08:002015-08-13T05:48:00.209+08:00I agree, TV Tropes is awesome. Slightly (okay VERY...I agree, TV Tropes is awesome. Slightly (okay VERY) overwhelming, but awesome. They have EVERYTHING, and it's so detailed. It really just makes me go HOW CAN I AVOID WRITING CLICHES WHEN EVERYTHING IS ONE.<br /><br />I also agree that Thomas sounds like an anti-hero, which is cool because I like anti-heroes. One trope that I really like seeing subverted is characters being saved from making a tough choice at the last moment. It's one reason I love The 100 so much - they continually make their characters choose between bad and worse and they never save them at the last moment. Maybe it's more a TV than a book thing, but I'm sure it happens in both.<br /><br />Ahahahaha that story with the guys being asked to leave the country because they're too handsome. I mean I don't know if that was the actual reason, or if there was something going on behind the scenes, but I'd be telling that story to my grandchildren. Hell, I'd have it carved on my gravestone. "Was asked to leave this life because of being too handsome."<br /><br />Vlora @ Reviews and Cakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04350038851735949640noreply@blogger.com