Plot Pet Peeves and Plot Sins
I first considered putting this discussion in off topic because it is not quite as narrow as most Sims discussions, but I definitely think it is a very generally applicable one regarding both the plot...
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@Calico45 Oooh, interesting topic! Don't mind if I join! ?
Having side characters that are contradictive with the narrative that you’ve woven is always risky. It’s easier with main characters because, as you say, you can only pull it off if you go into detail about why they are different and how the world reacts to them. For side characters, who already get less screen time than main characters, this can be difficult to do properly. You also run the risk of their “otherness” becoming their only defining characteristic, and the character reading flat and one-dimensional as a result.
A personal pet peeve of mine is when the character is altered to fit the plot, specifically after their personality has already been established. I understand where this comes from – sometimes a writer gets an idea for a great scene, and fiddles with the characters so that scene can happen. But if you set up a character as a coward who runs at the first sign of trouble, then it’s very jarring to see them suddenly put themselves in harm’s way. Luckily, most of the time this is easy to fix. In the coward example it’s as simple as bringing the danger to the character - having it happen to them instead of making them actively seek it out.
Edit: a word.
Having side characters that are contradictive with the narrative that you’ve woven is always risky. It’s easier with main characters because, as you say, you can only pull it off if you go into detail about why they are different and how the world reacts to them. For side characters, who already get less screen time than main characters, this can be difficult to do properly. You also run the risk of their “otherness” becoming their only defining characteristic, and the character reading flat and one-dimensional as a result.
A personal pet peeve of mine is when the character is altered to fit the plot, specifically after their personality has already been established. I understand where this comes from – sometimes a writer gets an idea for a great scene, and fiddles with the characters so that scene can happen. But if you set up a character as a coward who runs at the first sign of trouble, then it’s very jarring to see them suddenly put themselves in harm’s way. Luckily, most of the time this is easy to fix. In the coward example it’s as simple as bringing the danger to the character - having it happen to them instead of making them actively seek it out.
Edit: a word.
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