 Action/Adventure: September 20, 2006 Issue [#1279] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: John~Ashen  
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Action/Adventure! It comes in many forms, not just books and movies. However people get their thrills, in this genre it's our job to bring more excitement into their lives through writing. In this newsletter, I make the case for using a character as a foil. Enjoy  -- John~Ashen |
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Character Foils
When you think of foil, you probably think about aluminum to wrap your food, or maybe a floppy fencing weapon. The kind I'm talking about today is the literature version. A foil in a story is a minor character whose presence serves to emphasize the traits of a main character.
Examples? In comedy bits, the foil is the guy who acts normally. His seriousness makes the other guy look funnier. Sherlock Holmes always had Watson around so he could have a reason to explain everything to the audience. How can one truly measure Buffy's nobility without seeing how co-slayer Faith stumbles ethically?
“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.” ~ Andre Gide
A foil doesn't have to be the opposite of your main character. He could be very similar, in fact, all the better to let the differences stand out. For action/adventure, I recommend using a similar foil rather than an opposite. I think opposites give too much glory to the character in crucial scenes, while similars let the reader appreciate the situation more.
The Best Friend
One simple trick for making your guy (or gal) look action-loving is to bring along his childhood best friend. Your hero can remain in good spirits when the going gets tough and the friend is complaining. The friend can gape in wonder when the hero stands against outrageous adversity.
“When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home” ~ Thornton Wilder
Otherwise, the two characters are pretty much the same. They grew up in the same place, so they can compare the boredom of their hometown to the adventure of the story's new places. For particular realism, the hero and the foil can share inside jokes (which the audience will be in on, too).
The Excuse
If nothing else, a foil is a good excuse to let you explain everything you wanted but were afraid to bore the reader. Just let the foil character ask the question. Want to share your land's rich history? Have that kid who follows your leading lady around ask her questions. Want to let your reader know how the main character's name is pronounced? Have the new acquaintance flub it so badly as to require correction.
Foils are characters who serve the author's purpose. Namely, they spice up the main characters and let us pass information to the reader. Throw one into your story and let him soak up the parts where the narrative drags. 
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A few friend-filled files I found:
A hand grabbed her from behind; it was only Mikaela, one of Leilani's two best friends."I think we can make it, what do you think, Kev?"A cry from up ahead lifted me out of my hazy musings. "John!"We’ll visit kings and dance with queensno doubt about it / There was danger in the air
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shaara comments: If there is a genre called Male Action, then I'm positive there is a genre called Female Action -- or should be! LOL
Vivian  asks: How can women be main characters in A/A and not come across as "tough"?
Answer: "Tough" question... I can only think to answer it by referring to my spastic pursuits. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a tough blonde, yet they kept her pretty vulnerable in other ways. She cared about things like good grades even though she was unable to attain them. Particularly, she was unlucky in love.
So, my answer is... make your wonder woman care, perhaps a little too much for her own good.
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