If you didn't love them (even the hateful ones) they wouldn't be any fun to create. Agreed on the "Evil Ruler" trope, I'm trying for Ambivalent, without sliding into grimdark. Haven't figured out how...YET! 😁
So far, I’ve written several. ;) The last one was a departure from my usually loving, good Fathers. A King more concerned with his legacy and appearance than doing the right thing. Not purposefully evil in the beginning…but eventually, to maintain such a thing, it seems there’s an obvious digging of a deeper and deeper hole of lies to cover the first ones.
I’ve done negligent due to illness. Tyrant due to mental defect. Those are fun, because when you write a people whose instinct is to FOLLOW, eventually they have to draw a line. Even then, some choose to continue following as others push back and flee. It’s really fun to me, how small changes in leadership have such an effect.
No doubt about it. I've got many experiences to draw from about Leadership (as both leader and follower) but I want to focus on how someone who is isolated leads himself, due to the ambivalence of others who might notice, but just don't do much to help, and the help on offer is a hindrance. No malice per se, just lack of understanding /circumstances causing this phenomena. It's a challenge so far, but I think it will resonate with people. 🙂
Yeah, that's a favorite one I enjoy visiting. :D My current idiot prince trying to do the RIGHT THING, while isolated and suspicious of a world that he doesn't understand, mostly because he's losing the guiding force that is his father...and Mom spoils him/has younger children who need her.
That's the thing though, there's usually a friend or family in support, but my character has neither and hasn't for a long time, due to choices made by him, and circumstances not under anyone's control. I am trying to convey it without too much despair.
Family can’t support you if you think you’re the one who has to carry all the weight and do all the things that MUST be done to keep their hands clean. :) Because you’re the only one who can possibly do it.
Right Idea about the young supporting the old, but my character has no one to support him, and no one to support. Any help he takes credit for giving is seen as narcissism, and any help received is wrapped with a Lodestone disguised as a boon due to misconceptions made by ALL the parties involved. Nearly all interactions are due to being “Duty Bound”, but leave the character alone again in the end. Not GrimDark, but not a sunshine and puppy-dogs either. Just endurance in the face of adversity, at every turn.
While I was compiling a note about my Surname and its association with a (long ago) King of Ireland, this missive posted. I find this Irony most delightful, and your description of Royal Fae is very cool. :^)
I know it’s an idealized version, but seriously: I LIKE the ideal! I like that there are men and women who will fulfill that ideal. Fictional or real. I’m kind of tired of the typical tyrannical king/evil queen. :D Yeah. I got those too, but some of my Fae types are my ‘pets’. ;) Kind of like the paper wasps on my porch.
If you didn't love them (even the hateful ones) they wouldn't be any fun to create. Agreed on the "Evil Ruler" trope, I'm trying for Ambivalent, without sliding into grimdark. Haven't figured out how...YET! 😁
I think I look at them like puzzles. :)
So far, I’ve written several. ;) The last one was a departure from my usually loving, good Fathers. A King more concerned with his legacy and appearance than doing the right thing. Not purposefully evil in the beginning…but eventually, to maintain such a thing, it seems there’s an obvious digging of a deeper and deeper hole of lies to cover the first ones.
I’ve done negligent due to illness. Tyrant due to mental defect. Those are fun, because when you write a people whose instinct is to FOLLOW, eventually they have to draw a line. Even then, some choose to continue following as others push back and flee. It’s really fun to me, how small changes in leadership have such an effect.
No doubt about it. I've got many experiences to draw from about Leadership (as both leader and follower) but I want to focus on how someone who is isolated leads himself, due to the ambivalence of others who might notice, but just don't do much to help, and the help on offer is a hindrance. No malice per se, just lack of understanding /circumstances causing this phenomena. It's a challenge so far, but I think it will resonate with people. 🙂
Yeah, that's a favorite one I enjoy visiting. :D My current idiot prince trying to do the RIGHT THING, while isolated and suspicious of a world that he doesn't understand, mostly because he's losing the guiding force that is his father...and Mom spoils him/has younger children who need her.
That's the thing though, there's usually a friend or family in support, but my character has neither and hasn't for a long time, due to choices made by him, and circumstances not under anyone's control. I am trying to convey it without too much despair.
Family can’t support you if you think you’re the one who has to carry all the weight and do all the things that MUST be done to keep their hands clean. :) Because you’re the only one who can possibly do it.
Right Idea about the young supporting the old, but my character has no one to support him, and no one to support. Any help he takes credit for giving is seen as narcissism, and any help received is wrapped with a Lodestone disguised as a boon due to misconceptions made by ALL the parties involved. Nearly all interactions are due to being “Duty Bound”, but leave the character alone again in the end. Not GrimDark, but not a sunshine and puppy-dogs either. Just endurance in the face of adversity, at every turn.
While I was compiling a note about my Surname and its association with a (long ago) King of Ireland, this missive posted. I find this Irony most delightful, and your description of Royal Fae is very cool. :^)
I know it’s an idealized version, but seriously: I LIKE the ideal! I like that there are men and women who will fulfill that ideal. Fictional or real. I’m kind of tired of the typical tyrannical king/evil queen. :D Yeah. I got those too, but some of my Fae types are my ‘pets’. ;) Kind of like the paper wasps on my porch.