Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Road Trip Wednesday - Secondary Characters

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

We'd love for you to participate! Just answer the prompt on your own blog and leave a link -- or, if you prefer, you can include your answer in the comments.

This Week's Topic: What supporting character in a YA book would you most like to see star in their own novel?

When I first read this topic, I thought a lot about the prompt, wondering what my answer would be. And then I thought through all the YA novels and series I love reading – Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Peter and the Starcatchers . . . the list goes on and on. And while, yes, there are many characters I’d love to hear more from (Team Neville all the way!), I quickly realized my answer involved someone a little different. Maybe it’s because I have witches on the brain (check out my previous post for the Monsterology Blogfest), or maybe its because my own novel is all about Supervillains, but the characters I’d most like to see star in their own series are –

The Wicked Witches 

I really enjoy stories written from the villain’s perspective – like Megamind, Despicable Me and Wicked. It’s really interesting to get the story from their point of view. I’d love to hear more from Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, and the Evil Queen from Snow White. They might be evil, but they sure are interesting . . . perhaps more interesting than the one dimensional princesses that headline the tales. Or what about the witch from Hansel and Gretel. I mean, she built this amazing house out of candy and gingerbread and these bratty little kids keep trying to eat it. I’m sure that’s no picnic.

So if I were going to read a story with a side character as the lead, I’d love to hear more from the Wicked Witches.


* Just to be clear, this does NOT mean I am dropping my guard when it comes to witches. I maintain my vigilance and fear of said characters, interesting or not.

12 comments:

  1. Very unique answer. I'm with you--I love evil characters and learning why they are evil is usually very interesting. Great choice!

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  2. Good call! I agree--wicked characters make for great stories. I totally loved Despicable Me and Wicked, and although the witch from Hansel and Gretel strikes me as extra-creepy, I would be interested to hear from Snow White's Evil Queen or Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent.

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  3. I'm with you! Villains are the best. And I get so annoyed when the bland character is featured when there's a fascinating, engaging villain just waiting in the wings.

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  4. I agree ladies, villains are the BEST!

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  5. Very good point, and I will just say, it applies to wicked wizards too...I would love nothing more than Snape's tragic story, or even poor Tom Riddle...
    More recently I read Kristen Cashore's FIRE and Graceling...and whooo, the backstory on Leck. *shivers*

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  6. Wicked Witches...good choice! I want to see WICKED on Broadway...or read the book. Hmmm.

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  7. I love stories from the villain's POV. Despicable Me was just plain awesome and I'm addicted to Dexter, who I don't technically see as a villan since he kills other serial killers. Also, he's super lovable. But the idea for the series is the same: Take the villain (a serial killer) and tell it from his POV.

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  8. danaalisonlevy - I agree...Snape is one of the very best Harry Potter character. Or just literary characters. And I loved getting background on Tom Riddle in book six.

    Jennifer - I've been the the musical and read the book. BOTH are great!

    Tracey - Dexter is a GREAT example! Love villain POVs!

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  9. I often want to hear more from a villain - what makes them tick, why they perform their evil deeds. Good call!

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  10. Those are all compelling choices! As far as the Hansel&Gretel witch goes, I read yesterday that that new show, Once Upon a Time, is casting for that part, and it sounds like their version of the character is going to be chillingly awesome. It's an ensemble show, but that's halfway there!

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  11. I'm so glad you commented on my blog, because now I know about yours. :) Consider me a fan. Also, I'm so glad you appreciate Mogget, too!

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  12. Interesting choice, but a good one. Yes, definitely interested in how a villainess' mind works.

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