Firlefanz
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Location: Germany
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How many?
I'm pondering a set of short stories that center around a team of people who then go out to have adventures together. Their interaction as well as some friction among them will be part of what drives the fun of those stories.
Now, how many should there be in a team? I'm trying to think of similar stories and how many characters were used in them. Is there even an ideal number?
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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5/29/2007, 7:34 am
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thepinksuicidallemming
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Re: How many?
There should be only as many as there need to be. Not one more.
Other than that all I can say is don't aim for an exact number unless you have a reason to.
Though I usually end up with an odd number by roughly choosing characters as pairs or are opposites to each other, and then one who is way out there in some outlandish way.
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Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.
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5/29/2007, 12:17 pm
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Loud G
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Re: How many?
pink has a good sugestion.
I would say three is the minimum and that an odd number is definitely best.
Since it is a short story, 5 (or MAYBE 7) might be a good max.
I like the number three because triangles are so useful in relationships. (In the seven scenario you get to have 2 triangles and one outsider)
odd numbers also allow for majority rule and for ganging up on the minority. 2 against 1, 3 against 2 (or 4 against 1) etc...
even groups can have that but they usually fall on more equall lines. Say you have 4 people, they may be 2 against 2 which is not as exciting as being out numbered 
--- Reading: Mistborn
Writing: Eriadhin
"Life is like a book, except it takes longer to get to the climax."
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5/29/2007, 1:55 pm
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hadaad
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Re: How many?
I would say, rather than picking a number, find the personalities you want to be in this group. Find the people who will strike sparks (positive or negative) and once you're happy with the people in there, that's how many you should have.
It seems to me that this is going to be character-based writing, so concentrate on how the interactions will go, and the writing books tell me that the stories will pretty much write themselves.
Of course, it's never worked for me that way but who knows?
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Reading: Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes
Writing: Resurrection edits
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5/29/2007, 4:13 pm
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Reythia
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Re: How many?
quote:
Loud G wrote:
odd numbers also allow for majority rule and for ganging up on the minority. 2 against 1, 3 against 2 (or 4 against 1) etc...
even groups can have that but they usually fall on more equall lines. Say you have 4 people, they may be 2 against 2 which is not as exciting as being out numbered
Then again, having an even vote like 2 on 2 can add a lot of tension to a group. It can also be useful to show that BOTH sides of an issue have valid reasoning behind them.
However, I agree that the NUMBER of people isn't what you should worry about. Worry about personalities first.
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5/29/2007, 6:14 pm
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
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Registered: 05-2003
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Re: How many?
Thanks for all your advice.
I'm working up a table of core team members. So far, it's fun, but it's not quite perfect yet. Right now I have four members, but I'd like to go for an uneven number, like Loud G suggested. It simply has more potential for conflict. Hehe.
--- - Firlefanz
Writing: "Kiera und der Gauklerjunge" - novel
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5/30/2007, 7:25 am
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Michael Ehart
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Re: How many?
Classically 5 is the number--- look at most television dramas, there are usually 5 core characters.
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7/29/2007, 3:00 am
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Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
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Re: How many?
Thanks, Michael.
I'm going with five for now, but it's still hard to get the characters hammered out. I'm into the first few scenes of the opening story.
Oh, and welcome on board. Would you mind saying hello to everyone at the Meeting Point?
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7/29/2007, 6:48 am
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