The Writer's Discussion Thread

[Coral]

And I identify more with Eric than I do with Ariel, believe it or not. I'm the moody dreamer who'd rather be left alone.

[Aquisha]

I can totally understand the difficulty with Eric. Striking that balance that Zavi was talking about is so hard! I recently have actually been playing with and adjusting my "vision" of Eric because I think at least my mental picutre of him was getting a little too dramatic.

I think it's because 1) I've been re-reading/working Fathoms Below (what a mess that was), and 2) I watched the movie a couple of weeks ago and it was one of those 1 in 10 viewings, you know the kind where suddenly you watch it differently than you have for the last couple of years. And I realized that Eric in the movie isn't completely the introverted thinker that I'd been seeing him as. It's more Eric's natural tendency to be laid back, approachable, and overall, just lighter than I'd been thinking. You can really see that in the scenes on the ship and even the dinner table scene. that's really Eric. True, there's a lot of time when he's alone and contemplative, but that's more reactionary (i.e. being a young, sole ruler of a kingdom/post-shipwreck/mystery girl stress) more than his actual personality. Does that make any sense?

It's made a huge difference on how I write him and how I see him and Ariel working together. Because really, if Eric was really as Rochester-esque as I was thinking, I don't think Ariel would like him very much. Eric has to be fun or Ariel would be bored or rather, annoyed. I think they're opposites, like Frida said, Eric's very zen, Ariel's passionate. But still they're both fun-loving and inquisitive and they both have personalities that other people are attracted to: Ariel for her vivaciousness and spirit and Eric for having this easy-going charm that's just effortless.

That was a lot of rambling, and I hope it made to sense to someone. But, long story short, while Eric is certainly an introvert and in stressful situations he internalizes, that's actualy a smaller part of him than I'd previously thought.

[Coral]

It makes very good sense to me. I'm anxious to see how your new take on his character translates to the page.

[fridamoonbeam]

I'm excited too! But yeah, imho, Eric and Belle are a LOT a like, as I've said before. There are no rules saying you have to only be a responsible deep thinker OR adventurous and fun

BTW, I need your guys opinion on something. So I agreed to stay at the one rp as a favor to my friend who's playing Hercules and Jane (she's an awesome person and would do the same for me, and now I've just written fauxriel off as a character that I won't interact with ) Anyway, Eric has become good friends with Belle and Jane so far. But I much prefer the chemistry with him and Jane. She's more bubbly and a little bit goofy, which I think he'd like more. However, at this time he's really not wanting a relationship. LOL, and I'm getting away from my point.

Carrie and I had an idea that at some point pretty early in their days at DC. After Eric and Belle have become good friends, they'll get intoxicated at a party. Both are feeling bummed about their past loves, (Eric's girl Kelly *couREAL!ARIELghs* died about a year before) and end up making out.

The day after will be SO freaking awkward that they barly speak and when they finally do, they'll say in unision "I've never done that before!"

This is of course before anything with Jane goes on, or that he realizes his feelings fo her at that point.

Though, what I think is good is that it'd make Jane even more apprehensive about starting somthing with him later on.

Then he'll be all flustered when he does confess his feeligns to Jane, liek "Wait? Why no? Is it about the thing with Belle, cause neither one of us meant for that to happen and I *swear* we're only friends, and it was before I realized how mcuh I wanted to be with you!"

Now, do you like this, or do you think it cheapens the Eric/Jane dynamic, or sounds OOC for him?

[Coral]

To me it seems a bit OOC. I have a hard time seeing Eric allow himself to get that intoxicated. Starting down that path and then realizing what he's doing, yeah. Going all the way? Not so much. The first option would still be way awkward the next time they met. Maybe even more awkward.

[fridamoonbeam]

Okay, so I decided to leave that rp. I just can't stand it anymore. The rper for Ariel is just stupid and immature. She refuses to listen and is such a hipocrit. I can't stand her and feel like my hard work is just being wasted there.

The rper for Jane and Hercules is a good friend of mine, and I would have liked to have stayed for her. But I can't, for the life of me it's torture for that talentless Mary Sue to act like she owns the place.

[Coral]

You made the right choice, Jodi. There's no point in staying if you're not enjoying it.

[fridamoonbeam]

Thanks. I think I am too. It's an un-needed chore, and I'm not going to take it on.

[faya27]

Mar 2, 2010 12:22:06 GMT -5 fridamoonbeam said:

My personal opinion for Eric if he was a single parent would be that he'd actually vere toward spoiling Melody like crazy as a way to try and compensate for not having a mom around. Plus, I kind of see him as a bit a work-aholic in an attemp to make their lives easier. I also feel like he wouldn't really know how to punish her, and would be more defensive of her.

I think it takes a lot for him to get mad, since for the most part he's VERY zen.

That's just my two cents anyway lolz

I almost forgot about Eric being very zen. I did make him a workalcohlic in my story. I should have mentioned this in my story but Eric works on Monday-Saturday. He stayed a little late in the first chapter because his boss offered him a promotion which required for Eric to work until 8 or 9pm on weekdays (not just on Saturdays). In Chapter 2-4, He requested a day off from Saturday (can people request to have a day off at work?) so he could find a nanny . I'm planning to show Eric be spoiling toward Melody by letting her play PS3 or watching TV every day and giving her lots of toys.

Why would Eric not know how to punish Melody?

[Coral]

Yes, he'd have to ask to get a day off.

[fridamoonbeam]

Well imho, with Eric he's really gentle and easy going. I think in trying to make up for the fact that a mom wasn't around, he'd somewhat feel guilty, and be easy on her. Emphasize on being super supportive of her. I'm sure he'd want her to get a good education and live a happy life. And I think he'd be concerned with Melody liking him. But this is pretty common for single dads actually.

[Coral]

I'm going to create a sub-forum here where we can get story help, brainstorm and talk about the writer's aspect of fan fiction.

[Miss Manday]

Feb 26, 2010 19:44:14 GMT -5 @1luckyunicorn said:

the people playing Naveen [...] are quite good as well.

Why thank you.