Writing Excuses

Writing Excuses 9.26: Adjusting Character Competence


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This podcast references episode 9.13 where we introduce a three-slider model for characters.  In this episode we're talking about how we adjust the reader's perception of character competence, and why we might want to make the character more or less competent (or seem more or less competent.) We also talk about how competencies vary between domains, and how important it is for our characters to move between those domains.

Techniques discussed include showing failure, giving context, raising the stakes, and having competent antagonists.
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Writing ExcusesBy Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler