James D. Macdonald said:Good morning, all!
I hope everyone is having a happy Christmas.
The next part of your writing assignment is this:
While you now have a story with action, adventure, excitment (and a beginning, a middle, and an end), your story has one major problem: It's using a trademarked or copyrighted character. (Some of Sherlock Holmes is public domain now ... but not all, and the parts that come from stage plays and movies are very much not public domain.)
So ... the next part of your task is to file off the serial numbers. Take those trademarked/copyrighted characters and make them into original characters
This is more of a challenge than I thought. Having to use someone elses writing style was easy compared to making the story sensible without reference. i.e. the word Frankenstein, automatically takes out all doubt as to what the story may be about. It is also easier to write ones own story/novel than to do this excercise.
Then I thought, every character has been created by the writer, whomever they may be.
For instance,
There are only so many senarios that one can use.
Secret agent/ 007
Detective/ P.I. Mike Hammer
Dectective/Granny Mrs. Marple
All of these characters have to do the same thing, solve a case.
Why do we think they are different?
I've just realized that it is not the plot of the story so much as the creation and depth of the character that draws people to one story or the other.
Some like Bond, some don't. Some like Agatha Christy, some don't
Still, they all solve mysteries, or problems.
So, why can't I use the tried and true senario when writing my own novels, and make the characters irresistable?
Just some thoughts I've tossed around while trying to rewrite the excercise.
It has helped me see several things that I hadn't before. I can see why you offered it, Jim. Thanks.