New rule: you're not allowed kill a character's family to motivate them (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 week ago by snowflake@hexbear.net to c/writing@hexbear.net

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Yes it makes sense. It would motivate them powerfully. But it's been done too many times, and it's too easy.

The rule makes you find more interesting ways of motivating them. Are they driven by bruised pride? By romance? By obsession? Anything is more interesting than rehashing the cliché Hollywood loves.

Similarly, don't make a villain more evil by saying "they're a dictator and also a kiddie-fiddler orremoved". That's just tacking on villainy.

That would be like having a right-wing US President, and saying "oh he's also aremoved and best friends with a child-trafficker" - lazy, unrealistic writing. Make your villains more nuanced please.

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[-] Kefla@hexbear.net 11 points 1 week ago

To put a twist onnit you could always have a protagonist with a weird found family, and have them get killed.

Too late, the Witcher series did that

Though largely people hated that arc and celebrated when the unhinged villain brutally murdered Ciri's found family in front of her

[-] Wertheimer@hexbear.net 6 points 1 week ago

Happens in Legend of the Condor Heroes, too.

[-] ashinadash@hexbear.net 5 points 1 week ago

More proof that The Witcher as an IP is a net negative...

[-] Athena5898@hexbear.net 2 points 1 week ago

As a fan of the games. I can't argue with you (sad lol). I love the idea and shit but fuck most of the story is annoying AF.

this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2026

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