Comments on: Character Contradictions http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/ About the craft and business of genre fiction Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:02:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: LauraG http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6599 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:29:06 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6599 This concept is one I've been thinking about for a while! I'm not sure I've ever related that concept to the GEICO cavemen, but it certainly works. GEICO definitely has something going here. If you have time, you can even <a href="http://www.cavemenscrib.com/" rel="nofollow">digitally visit the cavemen</a> before their big up-town party. All my favorite literary characters have strong contradictions, even if they're not so obvious: Mary Poppins, in the actual books, for example. Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. Jean Valjean from Les Misérables. Will Ladislaw from Middlemarch. Edward Rochester—Jane Eyre herself. ... the list goes on. This concept is one I’ve been thinking about for a while! I’m not sure I’ve ever related that concept to the GEICO cavemen, but it certainly works. GEICO definitely has something going here. If you have time, you can even digitally visit the cavemen before their big up-town party.

All my favorite literary characters have strong contradictions, even if they’re not so obvious: Mary Poppins, in the actual books, for example. Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. Jean Valjean from Les Misérables. Will Ladislaw from Middlemarch. Edward Rochester—Jane Eyre herself. … the list goes on.

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6581 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:48:06 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6581 I know many folks who hate the cavemen too, Stace, my husband for one. But I'd take the cavemen over the Gecko. That guy's outlived his usefulness, imo. ;-) I know many folks who hate the cavemen too, Stace, my husband for one. But I’d take the cavemen over the Gecko. That guy’s outlived his usefulness, imo. ;-)

]]> by: Stace http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6473 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:54:12 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6473 Hmm, I have to disagree...oh, not with your argument about trying to go against stereotypes. That's great advice and I suppose the cavemen are a great example. But they annoy me to no end. It's one of those advertising gimmicks that I wish had disappeared after the first incarnation. That there is to be a tv show based on them just blows my mind. I suppose a Broadway musical is next. Hmm, I have to disagree…oh, not with your argument about trying to go against stereotypes. That’s great advice and I suppose the cavemen are a great example.

But they annoy me to no end. It’s one of those advertising gimmicks that I wish had disappeared after the first incarnation. That there is to be a tv show based on them just blows my mind. I suppose a Broadway musical is next.

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6388 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:58:47 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6388 I agree, Bryan. The ads give you enough so you can fill in their lives. I imagine them coming home after a hard day at their internet start up, uncorking a really fine bottle of Pinot Grigio and relaxing to Sarah Brightman. For some reason, they seem like California cavemen to me:-) I agree, Bryan. The ads give you enough so you can fill in their lives. I imagine them coming home after a hard day at their internet start up, uncorking a really fine bottle of Pinot Grigio and relaxing to Sarah Brightman. For some reason, they seem like California cavemen to me:-)

]]> by: Bryan Catherman http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6387 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:48:29 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6387 I too love this ads. They are creative and witty, and that's what makes them good. The other thing that works is that we only see a glimps, but it's enough to know what's going on. "Be cause I'm looking at it right now." We don't know what was said on the other end of the line, but that doesn't matter. Perfect. I too love this ads. They are creative and witty, and that’s what makes them good. The other thing that works is that we only see a glimps, but it’s enough to know what’s going on. “Be cause I’m looking at it right now.” We don’t know what was said on the other end of the line, but that doesn’t matter. Perfect.

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6383 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:40:24 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6383 FYI, according to Wikipedia, the song that plays during the airport commercial is by Royksopp, a kicking Norwegian electronia group. They are a must for any iPod. FYI, according to Wikipedia, the song that plays during the airport commercial is by Royksopp, a kicking Norwegian electronia group. They are a must for any iPod.

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6382 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:47:11 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/03/26/character-contradictions/#comment-6382 Great Monday post. Thanks for the smiles! Great Monday post. Thanks for the smiles!

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