The Umbreon Witch 🌙Oct 6, 2020

Still thinking about a thing @InspectorCaracal said about people who don't like their OCs and like

I *do* like my OCs, or at least the ones from stories I continue with. I think they're pretty great!

but

I'm definitely not as connected with them as lots of people seem to be.

Show threadThe Umbreon Witch 🌙Oct 6, 2020

I don't write them into all sorts of AUs, I don't spend time thinking about how they would act in situations that don't come up in the book.

I find it relatively easy to let go of them when I need to start something new, even though I love going back to them for sequels.

Dunno. Can't shake the feeling (a veeery familiar one) that I am doing this wrong somehow.

Show threadFiXato (fallback)Oct 6, 2020

@vicorva
I'd say that's perfectly fine.
I'll probably get some flack from hardcore #TerryPratchett / #DiscWorlds fans for this, but trying to constantly reuse your OCs can also get tiresome.
Sir Terry had introduced quite some characters over time, and to me it felt like he was trying to use all of them in subsequent books.
Especially in #RaisingSteam it felt like he had to use all of them, resulting in brief appearance that felt rushed: https://mastodon.social/users/FiXato/statuses/103270187573167085

[1/2]

Show threadFiXato (fallback)Oct 6, 2020
@vicorva
now I am aware that #Pratchett was suffering from #Alzheimer's by then which IIRC he stated made writing harder for him, and that #RaisingSteam was his last #DiscWorld book, so he probably felt obligated to fans to give all his OC's a last hurrah, but I can't help shake the feeling that that's not all.
It also feels like that when you have multiple protagonists, they end up struggling for their time in the spotlight, not wanting to be left in the background.
[2/2]
Show threadThe Umbreon Witch 🌙Oct 6, 2020

@FiXato Oh this is only adjacent to what I was talking about. Wasn't actually talking about cameos of characters in other stories (although I have to disagree with you as I quite enjoy that in many cases)!

In Pratchett's case, the crossover of characters between various books was for me one of the things that made it such a good WORLD rather than just a series. There was a sense of place in large part created by the way you knew everyone and could recognise the characters across stories.

Show threadThe Umbreon Witch 🌙
@FiXato Can't say it was always flawlessly done, but it was generally for me a feature and not a bug. :)
Oct 6, 2020 at 1:23pmWeb
Show threadFiXato (fallback)Oct 6, 2020

@vicorva
oh, I agree that returning and recognisable characters was a feature most of the time, but especially in Raising Steam I felt it was overdone.
Though perhaps that was just the result of the circumstances. Raising Steam probably could've been multiple books had he been granted more time on this ~disc~ globe unaffected by a cruel disease, in which they would've had more space to breathe.

Anyway, fortunately in this world people don't need to agree on everything. ;)

Show threadThe Umbreon Witch 🌙Oct 6, 2020

@FiXato Oh definitely. :) It would be boring if we agreed all the time.

And I do agree in that Raising Steam wasn't one of my favourites and I think his condition probably played into that.

It wasn't his last though! I don't know whether you've read his Tiffany Aching series (sort of kids-young adult series), but his final book was The Shepherd's Crown, a Tiffany Aching book and honestly an excellent farewell to the Discworld.

Show threadFiXato (fallback)Oct 6, 2020

@vicorva
ah, yes, that's true :) I guess I meant the last in the #MoistVonLipwig / #TheWatch series.
I have yet to read his #TiffanyAching series.

I got kinda stuck on one of the Witches books, and as a result kinda got out of reading regularly.
Reading tends to be something I do periodically in spurts, rather than continuously.
I'm sure I'll feel the urge again soon now that days are growing shorter very quickly again...

Show threadThe Umbreon Witch 🌙Oct 6, 2020

@FiXato Ah, it's hard when a book doesn't resonate. There are a good few Pratchett books that weren't for me, for all I'm a big fan, so I get it.

Also yes! Book season is definitely approaching. I read fairly regularly but I'm reading a lot more now. The weather and chill is perfect for curling up with a book, a blanket, and a kitty. :)