Monday, 17 January 2022

Character Interactions

 

A large cast of characters makes possible an even larger number of character combinations. Two individuals equal one interaction: AB. Adding one more individual adds three more interactions: BC; CA; ABC, because the three together are different from any two on their own. The maths sound wrong: two equals one but one more equals three more. But it's right.

Philippe Rochefort interacts with:

Wa Chaou and Abdullah Helu;
Eve Davisson;
Vodan;
Tabitha Falkayn;
Tabitha, Chris, Eyath and Draun;
Eyath;
Admiral Cajal.
 
With Cajal, Rochefort is an unwitting agent of Avalon!
 

3 comments:

S.M. Stirling said...

This is one reason you have to resist the tendency to develop more viewpoint characters in each book in a series. It can get completely out of control -- what they call "four lines, all standing still".

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

Meaning, if you have too many viewpoint characters in a story, the whole thing might fall apart into a confusing, contradictory mess.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Sean: or progress with.... glacial.... slowness.... as... you... switch... viewpoints.

Or do both.