Let’s each take one (or two?) of our favorite characters (doesn’t have to be the main character) and dissect their arc in the story. Who they were when they started, where they are now in the story, and where we hope they’ll end up in “the end.”
Timestamps
(0:00:01) - Character Arcs in Fantasy Serials
Charisma's journey as a female magician, her disguise in a competition, and her father's acceptance and legacy.
(0:12:28) - Character Arcs and Family Legacies
Lyford family's magical legacy, cross-dressing, character development, arcs, and transformations in a world of societal expectations.
(0:17:41) - Character Dynamics and Story Development
Complex characters in a fantasy city face love, duty, and survival as chaos looms, while a retired adventurer grapples with a moral dilemma.
(0:31:06) - Point of View in Character Writing
Character perspective, gender identity, and narrative balance are discussed in relation to storytelling techniques.
(0:44:37) - Exploring Character Development in Fiction
Nature's impact on four women's journeys, challenging social constructs and writing process, and audience engagement.
Foreword by Erica Drayton/Natalie Phillips
Unlock the secrets of character creation with Erica Drayton and me, Natalie Phillips, as we journey through the magical tapestries of fantasy serials on Serial Hour. Step into the enchanting world of our heroines, where wands symbolize acceptance, and cross-dressing defies societal norms. Our characters, like Charisma, grapple with societal constraints, forging paths in a world not ready for their ambitions. Erica's insight into how family legacies and world events shape our protagonists, from the noble Lyfords to the daring Jan, brings a nuanced understanding to the art of storytelling.
Amid the chaos of Alenclad, we uncover the complexities of Lillian and Kinley's lives, delicately balancing secrecy, survival, and the unforeseen shifts in destiny. These characters' metamorphoses reflect the subtle dance of dynamics, challenging listeners to consider the potency of perspective and the narrative's lifeblood. Erica and I dissect the strategy behind choosing whose story unfolds at which turn, emphasizing the meticulous craft of character-driven fiction.
Our conversation culminates in a celebration of the resilient spirit of women who dare to rewrite the rules etched by their forebears. We invite you to ponder the resilience of our characters' inner cores, as Erica and I delve into the creation of worlds where women wield power, yet face the familiar barriers of class and gender. Join the discourse on the boundaries of transformation within serialized storytelling and share your own reflections on the resilience of character in the face of adversity.
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