McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

The Illusion of Danger

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Amber:
Hmmmm... since the illusion of mortal danger does little for me, I don't think that setting someone up who you KNOW can't die would make that much difference.

I'd love to have an author surprise me at some point.

"He stared me in the eye and said, 'I'll shoot you if I have to.'  I reached for my gun, and..............."

Donna:
I agree with Amber.  Since we know the protagonist almost never dies, having someone who's immortal doesn't lessen the suspense any if the characters are compelling and it's a good plot.

Immortality can be pretty hellish, when you think about it.  Most everyone around them will die, rather quickly from the immortal's perspective.  Maybe some of them have deadened their emotions towards mortals, avoiding them.  That might be a good hook for the protagonist; how he moves from indifference to caring, at least about one person.  Other immortals maybe play with mortals or use them -- regard them as disposable. 

And there are the problems immortals would have in dealing with each other.  I suppose they can avoid each other, but if they can't be killed, each one knows he's stuck with running into the others throughout eternity.  Grudges can get pretty intense.

novium:
I don't know, I could be leery. However, if handled right, maybe.... especially if it was something hinted at yet still uncertain or mysterious.... I'm trying to think of examples where similar things have worked, and what has come to mind was- of all things- the x-files. Specifically, scully, and the references to the fact that she has no death. And there was that one episode where her death was "stolen" from her by the photographer who had lived 150 years, because he lost his (chance to die).  I guess the effective thing was that despite knowing that she was relatively safe as a main character, the viewer was never really sure...and scully believed she could be in mortal peril, as did others, so it never lessened the suspense. Just toyed with it a bit. Oh, I know I am rambling, but whatever.

Mickey Finn:
"And there are the problems immortals would have in dealing with each other.  I suppose they can avoid each other, but if they can't be killed, each one knows he's stuck with running into the others throughout eternity.  Grudges can get pretty intense. "

Oh, yes. The name of the story is Chessmen. Said immortals like to come up with new ways to hinder each other.

novium:
which book was that?

--- Quote from: James on July 11, 2006, 03:38:23 PM ---

Case in point is my thread on worst book in Mac's. The book I said had no mortal danager for the protagonist but the situation the author had put him in didn't really make me connect with the story or the main charactor.

--- End quote ---

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