Ok so my one friend in Hawaii called me up and she is in her senior year of high school. Apparently she has this thing called Senior Project and basically the student has to pick a topic they are interested about and make a project out of it. I'm not sure about the details but my friend's topic is about obsession with fictional characters. I found this a bit ironic because I actually made a topic in one of the groups I was in about being obsessed with a character of mine a month ago. 1
Anyways, she's doing a survey and I told her to give me the questions and I would post them on here. I figured since this is a writing site, it would fit. So if you can be so kind to answer the questions, i can send her the answers to her and it will help her with her project. Of course I'm not pushing you to do it. So here are her questions:2
1.) Have you ever become attached to a fictional character and how so?3
2.) Is it possible for someone to become obsess with a fictional character?4
3.) Where is the line between liking a character and becoming obsessed with a character?5
4.) What are your thoughts about teenagers becoming obsessed with characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight or Harry Potter?6
5.) What should the parents do when their children are obsessed?7
6.) Do you think that the writers that have created the character, more likely to become obsessed than the reader?8
7.) How do movies play a role in this?9
8.) Is there a way to turn that obsession into something better? (example: making them a role model)10
9.) For writers, is there a clear line between just creating a character for a story and having an imaginary person that you are thinking about too much?11
10.) Can you list a few things on how you create your characters? What's your process?12
11.) Why do you think people get so attached to characters?13
Ok that is all. This is exactly word for word on her survey. If you have any questions or need a better explanation, of course leave a comment saying so and I'll call her up.14
I want to thank you before hand and she would be more thankful for you guys.
In a list
if you can answer the questions up above
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
-
Hmm...i don't think there is any point in me filling these out on this date lol but hope she did good!!
-
-
She's still working on her project. It's one of those long term ones. I'm just glad I don't have to do it. XD but she did pick a good interesting topic, so that's good.
-
-
Same here, even though i think i have one soon lol and yeah picking a interesting topic does help
-
-
-
This will be incredibly long... and grammatically wrong.
1. I have become attached to a fictional character, yes. It all started with fanfiction... the writer opened my eyes to a different view of this character. After a while, I became too involved in writing my own to become more interested in this one character...
And I still am.
2. Yes, it is possible for someone to become obsessed with a fictional character. I'm one of the obsessed peeps in the normal group. (I'm obsessed with Snape... *giggles incessantly*)
3. Liking a character... Hm... I'd say that liking a character would be just reading through a book and going, "I like this background character!" And then you'd forget about him or her after finishing up. Becoming obsessed with one includes making fanfiction about these certain characters and evolving yourself into the OC that is with him or her. xD And no, I haven't done that. Others out there do do it, though.
4. Lol! My group just got called in on this one. I'm a Harry Potter follower.
My thoughts about that is that sooner or later it's all going to end, and it should be a pleasant experience to see just how far the obsession goes. Of course, real life opens our eyes. (And I'm not much of a "Don't do that!" person... except with the Twilighters...)
5. Parents should leave the kid to their own misery. I'd wager that the strict Catholics wouldn't, but then again... I'd cut the money short so that said child cannot buy anything like a madman that escaped from a prison.
6. I believe that the writers that have created the characters are the least likely to become obsessed with the characters. (Unless there's a small percentage out there that are... *hmmm*)
7. Movies make the obsession worse, in my opinion. But if you look at it in a different point of view -- making movies, and all the extra stuff (*cough - Twilight apple-shaped perfume for the movie... & the "Cullen Crest" lol, the one that never existed...*cough -*) are probably helping the economy as we know it. xD
8. Uh... I doubt that there's a way that an obsession can become into something better. Unless it's the fanfiction writers becoming into better writers, and in doing so... creating an awesome book that had nothing to do with their obsession.
9. I'm a writer myself. I'd say that there is a clear line between creating a character for a story and having an imaginary person that you think about too much. The difference -- you own one and you'd get sewed for the other one if you "tried" to own him/her.
10. I have started to create my characters on more realistic settings. Like their past shaping them up to be different from everyone else. Well, an example: the Rich boy who has been treated with many joys in life tends to be ignorant of everyone else... simply because he has been given everything. Or you could change this rich boy by putting him amongst the "commoners", which is the environment that will change his perspective and in doing so... will allow him to see that he must be grateful for what he has. Lol, more like an "open your eyes" experience.
11. People get too attached to their characters (lol, "The" characters) because they're probably proud about them or... just because everyone else likes them too (of course, I meant the Fans). Or it might be because the series or whatever that is... is ending and he/she is the best thing that has ever happened to them. (On my side of the world - Harry Potter changed my view of books. I used to loathe the complexity of books before I read the fifth one -- of course, that was when it came out, but yeah. After that, I began to read more - in and out of the Fantasy context. And... I'm starting on my own book... )
And yeah.. that was long as heck... But I actually like to fill in for surveys like this one. ^__^
-
-
Thank you so much for doing this. My friend really appreciates it that you took the tine out of your day to do this. haha I LOVE Snape. My obsession with him got worst when I saw who played snape. XD
-
-
1.) Have you ever become attached to a fictional character and how so?
I have become obsessed with a number of fictional characters in my past. A few would be Aeris from FF7 and Sira from my own novel, at one point.
2.) Is it possible for someone to become obsess with a fictional character?
It is very possible.
3.) Where is the line between liking a character and becoming obsessed with a character?
I think when you like a character, you identify with them and see them as a good friend. Obsession occurs when you wish with all your heart that and soul that they were real. When you adjust your life as if they were there.
4.) What are your thoughts about teenagers becoming obsessed with characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight or Harry Potter?
I think its unhealthy. They may be great characters, but they aren't real. Oftentimes, characters are far greater than real people, and these characters set an impossibly high standard.
5.) What should the parents do when their children are obsessed?
Parents should not force their child to drop the obsession, but instead change the focus into something positive.
6.) Do you think that the writers that have created the character, more likely to become obsessed than the reader?
Not always. I have become obsessed with characters that are not my own and characters that are. I think sometimes people force outside characters to fit their fantasies, and create characters to do the same.
7.) How do movies play a role in this?
Movies only make it worse, because it gives the character a concrete face, a real voice.
8.) Is there a way to turn that obsession into something better? (example: making them a role model)
Of course. Take my own character, Sira. I was obsessed with her a few years back, but now she is a kind of model for me to compare girls to. Maybe not the most positive turn, but an improvement nevertheless.
9.) For writers, is there a clear line between just creating a character for a story and having an imaginary person that you are thinking about too much?
The line is not always clear. Sometimes, you create a character to fill a role, and end up manipulating them to the point where you become obsessed, and sometimes, you create a character with the intent of making your 'perfect person.'
10.) Can you list a few things on how you create your characters? What's your process?
I usually start with a cliche. Like a pirate-ey character, or a fun loving, energetic character. Then you add a few details that make them unique, like their profession or their favorite things, and then you add a backstory to really flesh out the character, as the backstory usually influences the character's morals and views.
11.) Why do you think people get so attached to characters?
A number of reasons. Insecurity. Loneliness. Mental illness. Probably a few more that I couldn't even comprehend.
Well, thanks for listening to my confessions of mental instability. Hope it helps the data.
-
-
Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions. I appreciate that and so will me friend.
-
-
My Answers
1.) Have you ever become attached to a fictional character and how so?
2.) Is it possible for someone to become obsess with a fictional character? Absolutely, even if the character isn't their own. Ever seen a World of Warcraft player out during the day?
3.) Where is the line between liking a character and becoming obsessed with a character? If you find a way to bring him or her up during every conversation, if you change your sn and email address to their name, if you start asking people to call you *insert characters name here*. That's where I would draw the line.
4.) What are your thoughts about teenagers becoming obsessed with characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight or Harry Potter? It's a little sad. BUT, as long as they know that ROb PAttinson (sp?) and Edward Cullen aren't the same person, they should be fine. Being a fan (most teens don't know any level of fandom other than obsess) is great, just keep it down.
5.) What should the parents do when their children are obsessed? Take loads of pictures for blackmail once they get older. Other than that let them have their fun, just make sure they realize the difference between reality and fantasy.
6.) Do you think that the writers that have created the character, more likely to become obsessed than the reader? It's a toss up. I hate using myself as an example but I've written a few pieces were people had told me they loved the character and wanted more. I wasn't thrilled with the character and had contemplated killing them off. Other pieces I would never let 'much' harm come to my creation.
7.) How do movies play a role in this? Movies play a huge role. Look at the boom in sales of HP, Twilight, hell even Julia Childs books, just from the movie. Movies, unfortunately, reach a much wider range of audience which can include those prone to fictional obsession.
8.) Is there a way to turn that obsession into something better? (example: making them a role model)? If the character is morally good yes. If it's the Joker...not so much. The WhatWould*insert name* Do slogan has worked pretty well, in both ways. I've seen it used for Jesus, Tyler Durdan, even Vic Mackey. I dislike the HP books but if it gets kids to read I'm all for it. Improving their reading/writing skills plus helping with imagination
9.) For writers, is there a clear line between just creating a character for a story and having an imaginary person that you are thinking about too much? Yes, I think you just defined it. lol If the character really speaks to you (not in the hippy, figurative sense that a lot of people use but literally sits down next you and whispers ideas in your ear) it may be time to step away from the computer. Just remember it's not real, just something made up like global warming, spider-monkeys and dog whistles.
10.) Can you list a few things on how you create your characters? What's your process? Sorry, don't have one. I honestly wish I did as it would probably make things a hell of a lot easier. But I just sit down and start typing. Most don't have a name til the very end.
11.) Why do you think people get so attached to characters? Two possible reasons- for writers its because no matter how small or insignificant the character, they're a part of you. Some aspect of yourself is in there, the bigger the part the more attached you become. Or it's the exact opposite, the character epitomises everything the writer/reader wants to be. He's the Tyler Durdan to your nameless protagonist.
This was fun.
-
-
Thanks for taking time out of your day to answer these questions. I deeply appreciate that so does my friend.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 9 of 9
