Daystar and Alexander discuss how to plan out and navigate different power dynamics to keep your stories engaging.
Co-hosted by Alexander Wales
With thanks to Tim Yarbrough for the Intro/Outro music, G.A.T.O Must Be Respected
Links
Animorphs: The Reckoning by TK17
How to Lose Weight in 4 Easy Steps
Timestamps
0:42 Power in Fiction
3:46 World vs Protagonist vs Antagonist
11:14 New Dimsensions vs Power Creep
14:34 Rationalist Fiction
22:25 Power Differential on a Different Axis
32:55 Powers as Part of Identities
37:01 Protagonist vs Antagonist
47:58 Power in Romance stories
Advertisement
Hey everyone, this week’s book recommendation is once again, The Dresden Files. As a long series of novels, one of the many things it does well is power progression: at no point does the protagonist feel like he achieved an unearned leap in power between or during books, and the challenges he faces continue to ramp up with his power along a number of different dimensions, rather than just having to fight stronger and stronger monsters.
What’s more, as someone who enjoys rational fiction, I really appreciate how much Harry *learns* from his past mistakes and challenges, and how that is shown to be a type of power all on its own. The ability to make better choices than you used to is probably the single most learnable “power” that we readers will ever share with characters from fiction, and seeing it exemplified by Harry and his friends is something I constantly appreciate.
If you’re interested in checking the series out, the you can find a link to them in the shownotes, or listen to the series on audible by going to audibletrial.com/rational to get a free book credit and help support the show. The audio books are read by James Marsters, the actor who played Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and he does a fantastic job. Hope you enjoy it!