Feb
03
2016
I provide advice about
how to write novels, comic books and graphic novels. Most of my content applies to fiction-writing in general, but I also provide
articles specifically about superhero stories.
Under what circumstances (if any) would it be possible to make a grossly incompetent main character likable and engaging? Are there any cases where making the main character consistently incompetent would make a story more interesting?
Mar
09
2012
What are some stories that picked the wrong main character? Who would you have used instead and why?
At the risk of idiotically commenting on a series I haven’t actually read, I think Twilight would have been more interesting from Jacob’s perspective* than from Bella’s. The story, as I understand it, is a tragedy about an emotionally ravaged Bella falling in thrall to an abusive boyfriend and pushing non-abusive guys out of her life. I suspect Stephenie Meyer would probably have realized how creepy the Bella-Edward dynamic came across if she were writing from the perspective of a third character. (Plus, it would have spared readers the cesarean-by-teeth scene).
*Or the perspective of Bella’s mother or father. They’re probably not aware that their daughter attempted suicide over a high school romance, but the father would have to be oblivious not to realize that something was distinctly amiss. (I suspect the mother would be more interesting–she might have some conflict with the father about whether this custody situation is healthy for Bella. The plot would probably have to change to bring the mother more into contact with her daughter, though).
Feb
08
2012
If you picked up a comic book, what would be some of the cues that would tip you off that it was written in the 1990s? If you were doing a parody of 1990s superheroes, what would your approach be?
May
07
2008
Three questions, actually. Which is your favorite superhero and why? Finally, what are three things you associate with that hero?
Thanks a lot for your feedback; I’m writing an article on how to make superheroes loveable.
