Clones, or mirror characters, reflection characters, variation-on-theme characters, are characters who highlight, through comparison and contrast, aspects--especially thematic aspects and stakes--of the main character. Let's see if we can develop some clones for a couple of the one-liners we've got going: 1. Our human-rights-attorney story: When the money runs out before the case against his transgender partner … Continue reading Clones: Let’s See What You’ve Got!
Tag: clones
Clones: How the Masters Use Them
Some stories seem to lend themselves to lots of clones, others not so much. These are the clones examples I've noticed in the books I've read lately. 1. James Patterson's Hope to Die In Hope to Die, where protagonist Alex Cross is trying to rescue his kidnapped family, Patterson uses clones for stakes purposes. Every … Continue reading Clones: How the Masters Use Them
Clones: Variations on Theme Through Character
One way of showing theme and thematic premise is through comparing and contrasting the main character’s thematic traits with those of supporting characters. Characters who serve this function are often referred to as foils, mirror characters, reflection characters, symbols, or even clones. And they often drive a subplot (which we may look at in more … Continue reading Clones: Variations on Theme Through Character
Writes With Tools 