On writing the Master

[unfeathered]

I’ve had a lot of comments complimenting the way I keep making the Master sound crazy in amongst the apparent sanity, and it’s been bothering me a little, because I haven’t consciously been writing insanity and I don’t think they’re coming out because I’m insane! (I hope not, anyway! *g*)

In fact, the bits people are referring to are bits I just think of as amusing, a bit of light-hearted relief. They’re also mostly fairly childish, which is perhaps right because the Master is so very childish. Like most villains, really, because they’re childish in that they’re giving in to their impulses and have no self-control (well, this sort of villain, anyway). And also because the Doctor does feel a bit big-brother-ish sometimes. (Which does not go well with the slash vibe which is definitely there too, but that’s a different discussion!)

So then I thought, that sort of villain is almost a pantomime baddie. I’ve never played a pantomime baddie, because they’re mostly either male or old (e.g. witch) and I’m neither, but I’ve been in a lot of pantomimes and I’ve always wanted to play the baddie because they’re such fun parts! They get to do all this gloating and sneering at the goodies and going on about how clever and powerful they are – just like the Master does. So I finally realised that what I’m doing, writing the Master, is playing a pantomime baddie.

And it’s ridiculous that I’ve never connected writing and acting before, but that’s what I’m doing. It’s like improvisation, except I’m crap at improv. because I can’t think fast enough, but in writing I can take it at my own speed. So I’m acting the Master, and writing it down!


Glad I’ve got that sorted out! :-)

Comments

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

You're also catching something that's completely there in the performance, but I haven't seen done so much in other fics. This is a character who represents both a real and genuine threat to the Earth, and can enter a room dancing to the Scissor Sisters. He pulls them both off, the menace and the madness, and that's what you're writing. We just haven't seen it done this well before, or explored in so much detail.

The acting/writing connection is really strong - your writing is very visual, and I think that's what keeps you showing not telling, even with a first-person narrator. I definitely role-play the characters when I'm writing and sometimes it's more like they're speaking through me rather than to me. Okay, that sounded melodramatic, but you know what I mean! It's quite a draining way to write, but I tend to think the results are worth it. It's certainly worth it for The Master Plan :)

[unfeathered]

Wow! Thank you. I'm all overcome now :-)

But definitely characters speak through me not to me. There have been various discussions recently about people's characters talking to them and I've felt a bit left out because I just hear mine speaking the story to me (iyswim). They don't say anything else to me.

It's just weird I never thought of the acting thing before!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Mine tend to be a mixture. Jack and House were definitely 'through' characters, as are Marion and Hugh to a certain extent (and Reid, when I wrote Criminal Minds). The Doctor definitely talks to me, as does Wilson. But it's the main reason I tend not to write female narrators - they end up far too close to me, given how close I tend to get to them, if you see what I mean.

Men are much easier ;)

[unfeathered]

That's very interesting - not something I've ever thought about.

Tbh, since I started writing fanfic, it's been almost entirely about the blokes. 'Cos they're interesting and sexy and have great chemistry with each other, and the girls (with the exception of Martha) just don't interest me.

Well, I have got a couple of Martha fragments sitting around, and one which has Buffy in it but not from her POV, but nothing very in depth.

In the past, though, I've done female POVs a lot and I don't remember noticing any difference. So maybe that's just you :-)

And I meant to reply to your comment about my writing being very visual - I am a very visual person, so that's probably why. It also means I have to try very hard to remember to include the other senses in my descriptions - I can usually manage sound but I almost never refer to smell or touch or taste (unless someone's eating, obviously!).

But then, tv is obviously only sight and sound, so maybe that's why it works here.

I also meant to say in my original post that maybe part of the reason I'm finding this easier than I expected is that the characters here are so well-rounded and complex. Having previously made up most of my own characters, it's nice to have characters that I can just take bits from, instead of having to make them up myself.

I don't know if that makes any sense, but... :-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/]

They get to do all this gloating and sneering at the goodies and going on about how clever and powerful they are – just like the Master does. So I finally realised that what I’m doing, writing the Master, is playing a pantomime baddie.

Oh, that makes so much sense. Heh--glad you figured it out. I'd hate for you to worry for your sanity. *g*

[unfeathered]

I'm glad I figured it out too! I was going mad thinking I was mad *g*

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

Wherever it's coming from, it's very effective. I really do think that's what it sounds like from inside being the Master. (Well, that sentence made sense when I was writing it...) He's manic in a way that I can identify with! (But not the killing/torturing people bits.)

I love the idea that it's acting. That would never have occurred to me!

[unfeathered]

I really do think that's what it sounds like from inside being the Master. (Well, that sentence made sense when I was writing it...)

It makes sense to me too :-) And I'm glad, because that's what I think too. (Obviously, otherwise I'd write him differently!)

I love the idea that it's acting. That would never have occurred to me!

I can't believe it took me this long to think of it!

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

Everything Jades said is something I'd say, from role-playing the characters, to the effectiveness of what you're doing with the Master, down to even the bits about men being easier - though the reasons for me writing men is different. This is interesting stuff and I'm glad you've got it sorted, too!

[unfeathered]

Well, it's still not quite sorted in my mind because really I'd like to know where all this is coming from, how I know how to write the Master, but I'm certainly a lot closer than I was!

And thank you too for the wonderful compliments. It means such a lot to hear these things from both you and Jades, because you both write things that I admire so much!

And since you mentioned it... why do you write men, then? :-)