Spare Me: Authority Check

Powerful people are impressive to me, but those who are powerful and wise--they are faves. When you think about this in the sense of an authority check, you might understand what I love about the idea.

Characters that are powerful are not always wise with their skills or abilities. Therefore, when you find a character that takes command of a situation because they know they can, you have a critical character in the making. A character that knows and acts on their purpose with authority (*throws fist on desk*, *now rubbing wrist to ease pain*) is a must for every story and genre! A few examples will explain this principle further.

**Proceed with caution as spoilers are involved here.**

On a simple scale, Lady Harriet from Wives and Daughters used her influence to save the reputation of Molly Gibson. She knew the influence she had in her community and she used it to her best advantage to help a member of the community over which she had some stewardship.

Moving right along to Cinderella. When the step-mother is exerting her last effort to prevent Cinderella's happy ending, the Captain is there to check her. As an officer of the king, he has that right of authority and wields it well. (Love, LOve, LOVE!)

Next, we have Aragorn. When he accepts the mantle of King of Gondor he engages the power of Sauron and is able to command the Palantir. He also takes a more commanding role when it comes to the last battles of the story.

And lastly, we have Aslan. He is known as gentle and kind but we also know that "he is not a tame lion." (Sorry I simply can't detail all of Aslan's moments. So, choose a favorite and go with that.)

Have I missed any of your favorite Authority Check scenes?

Yours truly,
Cordy

Spare Me: Unexpected Allies

This is probably one of my favorite principles. Nothing can give me the chills and thrills like an unexpected ally. Let me 'splain. ;)

1) If it's truly unexpected, it will be a needed surprise for your readers. In my humble opinion, any opportunity to surprise your readers should be taken. (Unless that means a death scene.)

2) It can be the means of adding complexity to a character that was once thought of as a straight enemy. Just for fun, consider a story you have then take a character that might not be a reader's favorite and have them change "sides". See what happens. You will probably find some serious changes will need to be made to allow for this situation.

3) Essentially, it is a fairly easy way to add layers and depth to a story because let's face it, when the odds are against you, as they are in most stories, the arrival of unexpected assistance it always an encouraging booster!

Now for my selected examples:

**Always proceed with caution when it comes to spoilers**

Snape from Harry Potter
I would argue that Snape is the most complex character that Rowling created in her Harry Potter Series. We are never completely sure of where he stands until it becomes important. There were multiple occasions where his mettle was tested and he had the surest heart of the series, and no one really knows it until it's too late.

Darth Vader from Star Wars
I have grown up with the scene of Darth Vader saving his son. The scene builds and builds. The Emperor is secure in his power and is sure of Vader's loyalty. But even as we listen to Luke suffer in the cruel situation the focus is on Vader. And it amazes me that even behind a mask you can grasp his struggle while watching his son's torture. Finally, he does destroy the Emperor to save his son.

And anyone who knows me from blogging knows I couldn't forget a certain group of timely rescuers...

The Eagles of Middle Earth
You never know when they will show up, but you know that when they do, the battle is won!

Who are some of your favorite unexpected allies?

Yours truly,
Cordy

Spare Me: Hero Flaws

The very name--Box Hill--sends shudders down my spine. (I'm not exaggerating.) No, it's not the name of a haunted house or even the location of some traumatic battle (at least not that I'm aware of). Instead, it's the place where a beloved character takes a terrible character-building tumble. This scene is detrimental to the character Emma Woodhouse known in Jane Austen's Emma. (I'm sorry for those of you who don't know of this scene, I'll encourage you to leave the internet this moment and go find a copy of Emma and read it through.)

Meanwhile, Austen sketched a scene that so thoroughly harms her main character you are left feeling like you were slapped in the face and your heartstrings are in tatters. Not that the character was acting out of character, we had seen throughout the book there was a sharp side to Emma, but flaunting that side on Box Hill and making it the center of both the reader and the other character's attention you are struck by embarrassment, and pain by the reading of it.

Creating true character flaws are difficult, but necessary and making sure your character remains in and true to character in the process is an even harder task. What is so off balance in the stories of today is usually, character flaws that are represented in stories are entirely out of character and only leave your reader frustrated. So, character flaws are key! Therefore, know your character well so you will be better prepared to give them the realistic flaws they require. A few more examples for you.

Jo March
Is considered one of the most relatable characters in literature. Her flaws are scattered throughout Little Women in many forms and varying degrees of severity making her easily relatable. She is consistently Jo.

Adam Pontipee
Adam Pontipee, from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, is another example of a character that you know has a misguided side to him. In marrying Millie he was only seeking a maid for his way of life. But once Millie starts to influence the home, you see that there might be hope for Adam. That is until Millie overhears him giving advice to Gideon on the porch. Then, your heart breaks along with Millie's when Adam proves he hasn't changed at all. Thank goodness the man redeems himself later in the story.

Who are some of your favorite flawed heroes?

Yours truly,
Cordy

Storming Prompt: Nov 2016

Storming Rules:

1. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A WRITER TO PARTICIPATE! 

2.View/Read/Listen to the prompt with a mind primed to explore the possibilities! 

3. You don't have to answer all of the questions I pose. They are there merely to aid your mind in taking imaginative flight. 

4. Share what ideas you gained in the comments. This could include a bit of dialogue, a general scene sketch, a plot problem, character names and place, or even the 'history' of a prompt. (But, if the idea you create happens to be so great, you might want to save it for a future date!)

5. Read and perhaps add to the other replies and answers submitted. (Recommended not required)

Yours truly,

Cordy