[Auryporry]

Out of curiosity, how many of you enjoy reading stories that involve the lead protagonist shifting to the dark side? Use Star Wars and Anakin Skywalker as an example...perhaps it would've been more enjoyable if the prequel trilogy was released first so we wouldn't know the fate of the boy who would evolve into our beloved Darth Vader...but what would you think of a story that encompasses a hero who eventually gives into temptation and essentially swings over to the dark side (they do not view their actions as evil...but stepping outside of their box, we may see them that way). If you don't know from the offset that they'll turn to darkness, would you be interested in reading the work?

[Buddhist]

There's no such thing as an "anti-story". When I hear story, I don't automatically assume that it's going to be about a white knight in shiny armor.

And yes, they do. They tend to be far more interesting.

[Auryporry]

There's no such thing as an "anti-story". When I hear story, I don't automatically assume that it's going to be about a white knight in shiny armor.

And yes, they do. They tend to be far more interesting.

What's your favorite story like that, CM? Also, would you consider Macbeth to be that type of character? He falls into temptation, throwing everything away to gain power, only to be killed in the end.

[Buddhist]

Correction:
I'm writing 1-2 stories like that.

[Sirhai]

Stories like that can be fascinating, but need a talented and, more importantly, experienced writer to pull off well. Don't get me wrong, but from the sheer number of topics you are posting asking for advice and opinions, I don't think you have finished a lot of stories.

If you want my advice, you should stop posting so many topics and start to actually write something. It doesn't matter whether we like that kind of story, but what should matter to you is whether you want to write it. You do? Great, then just do it!

Sit down at your computer or with some pen and paper and just write! Or plan, if that's what you do. But actually work on your story, don't ask random people on the Internet whether they like anti-heroes or how and where to start a novel. Write what you want and don't worry so much! You don't get better at writing by thinking about it, you get better by writing and writing and writing some more.

This is not an insult, it's just some honest advice.

[Regitnui]

Auryporry, A story is a story is a story. There are no anti-stories. And anyway, most 'good' or White Knight characters undergo a shift to the darkness as they are forced to hurt others to survive. It makes very dry reading when your main character refuses to punch someone because 'it just isn't right.'

In books, there are no good guys. We're all in different shades of grey, and so should your heroes be. Your Villian (unless he's an Irredeemable Supervillian) can have a white side, saving people when the hero would/did not. That can add to the dynamics between them, the villian playing on the Hero's guilty conscience.

The point is, like several people have said, Write Your Story. Once you have the characters onteracting on papaer they'll begin to work themselves out, ok?

---,-'-@

[Rowh]

You don't get better at writing by thinking about it, you get better by writing and writing and writing some more.

It is true that the more you write, the better you'll get at it, but I disagree with the first bit. Auryporry, I think it's good to ask peoples opinions and ask questions. And I don't think that it necessarily means your a bad writer, just that your cautious and curious. Like the others have said, you should try to just write, but don't think that asking what people think is a bad thing. I think thinking is just as important as practicing. If you write a story with an anti-hero, we'll help you make it better. Personally, I'd like to read one.

This post has been edited by Rowh: 22 July 2009 - 07:15 PM

[Katya]

Stories like that interest me, but the ones that really make me think are the ones in which the character does not change at all from the beginning to the end of the story. Take The Catcher in the Rye, for instance. Holden doesn't go through any personal growth/degradation, rather, he merely ends the story where he begins. That's the "carousel image" you'll find through the story. Why, oh why, is a book considered "good" if the protagonist makes a change for the better?

[Fusaichi Pegasus]

''Evil'' (I dislike that word a lot) characters tend to have a certain charm about them. I've always been fascinated by villains/anti-heroes. I used to love Artemis Fowl when he was the criminal mastermind. However when he began to shift towards a much more moral character and began to lose his coldness I disliked him a lot more. I haven't even bought the latest book in the series.


So yes, I love anti-heroes done well.

''Evil'' (I dislike that word a lot) characters tend to have a certain charm about them. I've always been fascinated by villains/anti-heroes. I used to love Artemis Fowl when he was the criminal mastermind. However when he began to shift towards a much more moral character and began to lose his coldness I disliked him a lot more. I haven't even bought the latest book in the series.


So yes, I love anti-heroes done well.

[Kari]

I would actually enjoy something like that but, as Calligrus put it, there are no anti-stories. Stories about anti-heroes, maybe.

I think they reflect a part of humanity many ignore; the power of temptation. Why must all heroes be grand and good?

[omegasupreme]

All heroes must be grand or good because that is the definition of a hero. If a character is not grand or good, then that character would be called some other term (i.e. anti-hero).

And in response to the original topic: why would not knowing the ending negatively affect interest in reading the work in the first place, as implied by your question? Isn't the purpose of reading fiction to find out how it ends?