Being a Better Writer: The Static Character · 10:19pm Oct 15th, 2018
Sorry for the lateness of today’s post, readers. It wasn’t because I had work, or because I was indisposed by some sudden surprise event or something. No it was simply because I was tired and decided to catch up on sleep. And catch up I did. I slept … crud, I’m not even sure, but it was more than eight hours by a long shot. I’ll probably do the same tomorrow.
Anyway, we’re actually venturing off the list this week with today’s post. For two reasons. The first is that there’s only one topic left on Topic List XI. The second is that this post was inspired by a book I read last week that left a strong impression on me for the exact problem we’ll be talking about today (which means I also won’t be naming the book, since it’s otherwise fairly good, and that’s my usual approach as to not turn readers off from it).
So then what is this problem? Well, you’ve seen the title. So what am I talking about when I say “The Static Character?”
Well, really quickly, let’s get out of the way what it isn’t, at least how we’re speaking of it today. Because a “static character” description can be used as a catch-all phrase for a character that doesn’t do much or doesn’t contribute, and this can include speaking of the events of the story. Different reviewers will use the phrase interchangeably for similar concepts all the time, but that’s usually what it boils down to: A character that does little and doesn’t move.
But there’s another aspect that the term can refer to, and that’s the one that I want to talk about today. The character that does stuff, is involved in the story … but never changes or shifts as a character.
First character that comes to mind for me with Static Characters is Toph from A:TLA. "Where's my Life-Changing Journey with Zuko?!"
As is, Static Character is just another writing tool. Just have to make them interesting enough to keep around, otherwise people get really bored of the one-note characters.
Amusingly enough, do believe a character can be both changing and static. Fiction where the main character gets power up after power up, but is pretty much the same personality is one of the character types that I find really boring.