Continuing: trying to understand characters from a cartoon show.

GPS thingy works and I even found a software that has my entire country's map in it. Wonderful. Not sure how good it is with planning, but it's pretty awesome regardless.

Now, the problem of establishing character dynamics.

So, here I am with this odd situation: what sort of relationship would be between Spike and Fluttershy?

Now, everyone probably has their own ideas, some valid on different levels. Trying to map them all and finding a commonality would be an exercise not just in frustration but statistical bias.

Instead, let's (well, let me really, as I'm writing this as a way to help me keep my thoughts in order) try a more organised and useful approach. What are the practical ways to go around this:

- The first is that of make it up completely. This is fine with original stories, that's how you are SUPPOSED to do it (depending on your process/muse/divine inspiriation/whatever) but not quite an option when it comes to fanfic-writing. Oh, sure it is, but then you'll have characters acting out-of-character. Unless you radically change things like tonality, setting, etc, in which case you're essentially writing more of an original story, just with burrowed characters. That doesn't mean that you made a bad story of course. It just does not match with my idea of what a fanfic SHOULD be.

- The second is the more obvious and helpful: analyze situations where the two characters interact. This would be useful, in say, Twilight-Applejack relationship, but won't work in with my current problem.

- The third now comes to mind: extrapolate. This is what I'm currently doing. This is observing the character when they act alone and analyze how they react to different situations, actions, etc.

There are probably more. Maybe I'll write/copy an analysis on my findings later.

Comments

[Dublio]

I'd gladly read them whenever you publish your results.