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RexBlazer1 writes...

Hello Greg,

I appreciate your answer to my first question posted here regarding my thoughts toward the nature of antagonists in stories. However, bear in mind that it had been months since I asked that question, and my thoughts and feelings on the subject had already changed by the time you answered. I realize that I could've thought it out better, as well as have applied better wording regarding how I asked the question. What I SHOULD'VE said in describing the types was this:

1. The kind who are selfish and just in it for themselves, not caring who gets hurt in the process.
2. The kind who believe they fight for a great cause and the betterment of others, but more often than not create a lot of damage and destruction to those around them, believing that it's for the greater good.

However, I can see why you would consider this type of thinking reductive, as it doesn't allow much room for complexity, and characters and people are not that simple. I do realize that everyone think's that they are justified in some capacity or another in their actions, and that they can still do bad things and not care as well. There are multiple kinds of villains, and they can have varying shades of the two kinds I mentioned.

The thing is, when I asked, I was still trying to get an idea of how to go about doing things, and I'd previously asked some writer friends what they thought on the matter, and they went along with the same line of thinking, leaning towards one type or the other.

Not to mention, because of a lot of things, including, but not limited to, my 900-MPH autistic brain, I end up having to rethink ideas over and over again in terms of what I'd like to do and what I don't want to do with the story. And as a result, I'm stuck working and reworking on a story that keeps changing. Regardless, my autism is not an excuse, but I hope it helps to explain things.

Anyway, I only wanted to apologize for upsetting you with the way my question was worded, and my line of thinking at the time. I didn't think it through fully, and you delivered some deserved-flack my way for it. It wasn't my intent to upset you the way I did, and I wholeheartedly regret doing so. My words were short-sighted and not well-thought out.

I'm trying to do better about the way characters should be, and I'm aware of what to keep my mind open about.

Greg responds...

Hey RexBlazer1...

Here's the ugly truth. I don't remember our previous exchange. I can't search user names here, so I tried searching "antagonist," but nothing came up for that under RexBlazer1.

So I have no memory of what you suggested. And no memory of how I responded. I kinda doubt I was "upset". I rarely get upset here. I do get annoyed fairly often, so maybe I was annoyed. But I can't say for sure.

Everything you wrote this time sounds pretty good to me, however.

Response recorded on January 04, 2017