Sex and 8:1.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:07 am

I was having a conversation with another writer about how we depict sexuality in our work. Made me wonder how other people thought this whole thing was going. Just looking for opinions on what;s succeeding, what's failing, and what's interesting. Not really interested in how much you'd like to fuck Charles.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:29 am

I find the Charles and Mary thing interesting. Friends that start dating can cause weird problems. I didn't really care for the Lori and Jason thing for some reason though.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:31 am

What do you find problematic about Lori and Jason? (I have some ideas, but I'd rather not lead the witness.)

Jim North · Post by **Jim North** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:43 am

Personally, I find it problematic that Lori hadn't already left that monumental fuckhead asshole jerkwad dumbshit a long time before this comic started.

Nothing to do with how you're doing the story, mind, just a personal observation on such relationships.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:49 am

These are just my stupid preferences and opinions that are hardly representative of the general populous, but I don't find the big dumb jock character interesting. It feels like it's another case of a nice girl with a total asshole that makes everyone wonder why they're together. But perhaps he has a heart of gold deep down, but I dunno. He needs to be a little more likeable. I've seen other characters in other works that have a lot of negative qualities, but I can see glimpses of goodness in them, like Peggy Hill. Jason just seems like a butt so far. Though I guess he's starting to see that. And I dunno how much a main character you want him to be, so perhaps his only function is to be a butt.

Edited for subject/verb agreement.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:10 am

Yeah, I fear I may have taken the easy route on that one. Not that Jason needs to be likable or anything, just that I've insufficiently described where he's coming from and what Lori sees in him. I do feel like I've established that they definitely view their relationship differently, though.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:52 am

That could be it. When I see a jerk, I like knowing where they came from. But this is still a work in progress, so perhaps you're getting to that.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:57 am

Well, I have no plans to spend a lot of time on the guy. What he is is answer enough. It just sucks having Lori date a plot device.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:00 pm

I'm sorta having that issue myself right now for an event that has not yet been mentioned (so I guess I can still change it. I think I talked to you about it though.

I think that term is, "Woman in a refrigerator" or something. Dunno if that's exactly the same thing.

I don't really think it's much of a big issue though since he's not a main character I guess. I could be wrong though.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:13 pm

"....woman in a refrigerator?"

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:17 pm

Hmmm, now that I read more about it, it's not the case with either of us. But here, this is interesting anyway:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Refrigerators

Edit: HA HA! Mega Man X 4 falls into this trap!

Anyway, this is the end of the derailing. Well, I guess it's not derailing, but still.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:58 pm

Yeah, that would definitely be something I'm trying to avoid.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:01 pm

Yeah. Women in Refrigerators is pretty specific, but still I'd like to avoid characters that really serve no purpose other than being a plot device.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:50 am

Anyway, if sex happens, I'm not a big fan of showing it outright. One only needs suggesting it. Just make sure to avoid things like that scene in Cool World. That was awful and confusing.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:46 pm

I stated to myself early on that any bids for romance in this comic would end in failure or tragedy. Just seems to fit better. If it came up, though, I'd like it be more European in nature.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:02 pm

Failure? That's a given.

My experience with European comics is that sex will always happen. Maybe your definition is different, so I'd like to hear it.

Nanda · Post by **Nanda** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:17 pm

I really love that Charles and Mary have a completely non-sexual, platonic relationship. How often do you see a story where a male and female character are friends, and one of them isn't secretly pining for the other? It's refreshing, to say the least.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:54 am

Yeah, I like that too, though I think a lot of people assume this is gonna be some hipster Ross and Rachel thing. Someone actually told me "I hope Charles doesn't end up with Lori. Mary is so much cooler." To which I responded "Why would you wish Charles upon someone you liked?"

By European I meant a more casual attitude toward the endeavour.

TheSuburbanLetdown · Post by **TheSuburbanLetdown** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:16 am

yeahduff wrote:By European I meant a more casual attitude toward the endeavour.

You should adopt a Japanese attitude towards it. That'll be a great April Fool's gag.

Yeahduff · Post by **Yeahduff** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:56 am

*shudders*