I used to read a lot of books about writing when I thought I would soon write the Great American Novel. (Yeah, I was young and dumb.)
The 'hero' was supposed to be brave, active, initiating things.
I get that. In its place.
But for those of us of a submissive bent, it is about enduring things. (Overstatement but a useful contrast.)
How does this change the way a story is structured and what counts as a fitting resolution?
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Submissive Characters as Leads (Protagonists)
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Writius Eroticus
At the risk of stalking your posts, I've tried it in my Flash pieces "Deprivation" (male sub) and "Former Good Girl" (female sub).
See what you think. Such stories don't necessarily have to have a climax as such, as long as the tease is ratcheted to breaking point. There are others who have tried and may have other viewpoints, but I find such stories work better with 80-90% build up and then a really intense burst for a finale that represents the expulsion of all that pent-up energy. Or, in the former case above, no actual climax per se.
See what you think. Such stories don't necessarily have to have a climax as such, as long as the tease is ratcheted to breaking point. There are others who have tried and may have other viewpoints, but I find such stories work better with 80-90% build up and then a really intense burst for a finale that represents the expulsion of all that pent-up energy. Or, in the former case above, no actual climax per se.
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Her Royal Spriteness
Not sure what a submissive character can't be brave, active, or initiate things. they might go about it a little differently, but they don't have to be meek. i know many subs who are pretty colorful, actually, who'd be great stars of their stories. 
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
Nerdzilla
Quote by borntowatch
I used to read a lot of books about writing when I thought I would soon write the Great American Novel. (Yeah, I was young and dumb.)
The 'hero' was supposed to be brave, active, initiating things.
I get that. In its place.
But for those of us of a submissive bent, it is about enduring things. (Overstatement but a useful contrast.)
How does this change the way a story is structured and what counts as a fitting resolution?
You can endure and be brave. In fact, that's what makes a brave person imo. Doing things you want to do, even if you're afraid to. Getting through whatever you have to for the end goal. Dominant, submissive, whatever character you have, you'll want your story to include both a character and plot arc, because that's what sells the story. Focus on that, is my advice.
Quote by Katherine
You can endure and be brave. In fact, that's what makes a brave person imo. Doing things you want to do, even if you're afraid to. Getting through whatever you have to for the end goal. Dominant, submissive, whatever character you have, you'll want your story to include both a character and plot arc, because that's what sells the story. Focus on that, is my advice.
Thank you, Katherine. I needed to hear that.
Active Ink Slinger
I find that a lot of professional writing advice overestimates the value of certain techniques or story elements and a proactive character is certainly one of them. It's too easy to go full Joseph Campbell and try and boil things down to common archetypes and story beats. There's nothing wrong with conventional story structure, but I've always found that quality beats structure every time.
In other words, it doesn't matter how many rules you break in an art form, what matters is that you do it really, really well.
As an example, many biographies and autobiographies are about people forced to endure situations with little or no power to change things (take Anne Frank as a very extreme example). They don't get used as an example for writers because they're non-fiction, but since they're compelling reads regardless they prove the viability of the concept.
I think related to that is another rule of writing that I find to be over-rated: that of the character arc.
In a traditional story structure, a passive protagonist would encounter situations that must be faced directly and eventually transform them into a proactive, classically heroic character. But while having stories transform a character can be fun and compelling, it can be equally entertaining to follow the story of a relatively static character through an interesting narrative driven by outside forces.
In other words, it doesn't matter how many rules you break in an art form, what matters is that you do it really, really well.
As an example, many biographies and autobiographies are about people forced to endure situations with little or no power to change things (take Anne Frank as a very extreme example). They don't get used as an example for writers because they're non-fiction, but since they're compelling reads regardless they prove the viability of the concept.
I think related to that is another rule of writing that I find to be over-rated: that of the character arc.
In a traditional story structure, a passive protagonist would encounter situations that must be faced directly and eventually transform them into a proactive, classically heroic character. But while having stories transform a character can be fun and compelling, it can be equally entertaining to follow the story of a relatively static character through an interesting narrative driven by outside forces.
Primus Omnium
I am writing a story at this moment from the point of view of the female protagonist who is a 'little'. Obviously submissive in most ways. But like any little one in the lifestyle, she can be a brat and act out. The point is that on a site like this you will have stories written from the POV of subs, doms, etc. The story you are telling defines the types of characters you introduce. I like to keep it simple.
Wouldn't you rather have a nice cup of tea?
The thing that a protagonist has to do in a story is overcome obstacles. They can be brave or meek about it, but the bigger the challenge, the more interesting the story is going to be. I prefer to write about submissive or at least reluctant leads being seduced into relationships against their better judgment. What I hate reading are stories with plots that go: I saw this hot girl... then I fucked her... the end.
Don't believe everything that you read.
living dead girl
I often have the lead character as a more submissive type
When you pick a submissive character as the lead it opens up a lot more possibilities and different views of thinking there's more for them to overcome therefore more conflict
When you pick a submissive character as the lead it opens up a lot more possibilities and different views of thinking there's more for them to overcome therefore more conflict
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