Juggling many characters

[SolarRay]

The story I am currently writing is in GS and follows one of my favorite formats: slow build toward a wild experience of sexual liberation, where character psychologies are examined and then transformed in some way by a shocking or unexpected event (in this case, an unexpected orgy).

I conceived of this particular story as something of a fun challenge for myself, in that I'm trying to juggle a larger set of central characters than I usually do (i.e. I usually work with up to four but have seven characters involved in the main action this time). Although I'm almost there with a first draft, it's definitely the challenge I wanted it to be. So before I finish writing and then assess it with my first start-to-finish reading, I figured I'd see if anyone has any pointers on juggling several central characters like this.

Things I am thinking about so far are:

- The main character is straight and male and will only partner with the female characters, which means I can limit the real attention to detail in terms of backstory to just those three women and what his personal history is with them. The goal, after all, is to investigate the consequences of unexpected sexual exchanges between old friends.
- Aside from a few brief scenes of setup, the bulk of the story is one slowly developing event (a party). So the plot is kept simple to offset the handling of several characters.
- Otherwise, a few critical past interactions are told in brief flashbacks.
- So as to avoid confusion, I've tried to make the characters fairly distinct from one another without making them unlikely friends.
- I'm trying to be less detailed with certain elements and highlight only critical exchanges that keep the story moving forward.
- Etc.

Any other tips/suggestions/lessons learned from your own stories?

 

[Blind_Justice]

As a long-time D&D/general Pen&Paper gamemaster, I'm in the habit of keeping files for my characters, be they recurring or one-time. The moment someone in a story "earns" a name, they also get their own character sheet, detailing their looks, habits, mannerisms, clothing style, speech patterns to be aware of, sexual preferences and a general run-down of their skill sets, powers and brief list of major events so I can cross-reference once they turn up in another story.

Granted, I write Sci-Fi/Fantasy, so that level of book-keeping is probably way outside of the scope of a normal sex romp, but the moment you're writing series or spin off characters into their own series, that might come in handy.

 

[KeithD]

I pretty much let the characters show themselves in what they do and say within the context of the story. Very little in the way of telling about them and as careful as I can be not to describe traits that don't directly serve the story. (When in the hell is the hollow leg going to come into the plot?) I let the reader decide where the characters fits and what motivates what the character does.

My biggest problem with a large cast of characters is in pronoun use while maintaining clarity, as they are mostly of the same gender.

 

[SolarRay]

The moment someone in a story "earns" a name, they also get their own character sheet, detailing their looks, habits, mannerisms, clothing style, speech patterns to be aware of, sexual preferences and a general run-down of their skill sets, powers and brief list of major events so I can cross-reference once they turn up in another story.

That's a good point. At the very least I should whip up a quick matrix of relationships and characteristics for reference to make sure that I keep everything straight and consistent throughout.

I pretty much let the characters show themselves in what they do and say within the context of the story. Very little in the way of telling about them and as careful as I can be not to describe traits that don't directly serve the story. (When in the hell is the hollow leg going to come into the plot?) I let the reader decide where the characters fits and what motivates what the character does. My biggest problem with a large cast of characters is in pronoun use while maintaining clarity, as they are mostly of the same gender.

Yeah, I suspect I might trim out some level of detail that I'm normally used to writing when I make a pass back through, understanding that they don't serve the story to a necessary degree. And that's a good point about pronoun clarity. I will pay extra attention to that as well.

Good suggestions, thank you.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's hard to answer your question effectively without knowing more. Generally speaking, I think the story will be more effective if you limit the points of view through which it's told. Ask yourself what are the meaningful differences between the characters. Tell the story from the points of view of different characters only if they truly are meaningfully different. If they aren't, the reader will wonder why you are getting into the heads of different characters that aren't really different. Constantly ask yourself how the story is improved by being told via many characters as opposed to one.

 

[SolarRay]

It's hard to answer your question effectively without knowing more. Generally speaking, I think the story will be more effective if you limit the points of view through which it's told. Ask yourself what are the meaningful differences between the characters. Tell the story from the points of view of different characters only if they truly are meaningfully different. If they aren't, the reader will wonder why you are getting into the heads of different characters that aren't really different. Constantly ask yourself how the story is improved by being told via many characters as opposed to one.

Right, agreed. In this case, I'm still telling it the story from the perspective of one main character. It's just a much larger web of interactions that he has with secondary characters than I'm used to. However, you're absolutely right that I still need to pare everything down to meaningfully different character interactions. I don't want to repeat the same investigation into evolving character dynamics, they each have to present something unique and different for him. This has me thinking.

 

[SimonDoom]

Right, agreed. In this case, I'm still telling it the story from the perspective of one main character. It's just a much larger web of interactions that he has with secondary characters than I'm used to. However, you're absolutely right that I still need to pare everything down to meaningfully different character interactions. I don't want to repeat the same investigation into evolving character dynamics, they each have to present something unique and different for him. This has me thinking.

In an erotic story, I think it's generally good to keep perspectives to a minimum. Readers of erotic stories want to "feel" what the POV character feels. If you move around with the perspectives of too many characters, they'll feel frustrated.

An exception, I think, is where you have two characters with two different perspectives who come together. Narrating the different ways they feel can work and be erotic. I did this in my BDSM story In the Hallway, about a man and woman who meet and get involved with each other in one day in an office setting, and I think it worked. But it hasn't worked with equal success in all my stories.

I've written incest stories. I don't know if that's your thing. But those stories present characters with very different perspectives, and portraying both perspectives can be interesting and dramatic and erotic. My most popular story is a mom-son story where I narrate the interaction from both points of view. It all depends upon what you want to accomplish.

There's no "right" answer, of course. It all depends on what your artistic vision is. That governs everything. But from the way you initially described what you want to do, I think your story will be most erotic and most effective if you focus on the perspective of the one main character.

 

[TxRad]

I usually keep a section about a half page below where I'm writing to keep characters details and details that will come into play later. It sure helps not having to run up and down the story looking for something you may or may not have put in already.

 

[KeithD]

I only use character notes--just brief notes, not charts--for novel-length works.

The danger of doing detailed charts is that you try to fit it all into the text and most of it isn't kitchen sink material in terms of your work. I much prefer to start off with the characters with minimal description and enjoy the ride of letting them reveal themselves as I get into the plot.

 

[Hypoxia]

I often grow too many players; I need Maxwell's Demon to sort them. One trick, in a successful series in both Group and Incest, has each episode narrated by a different woman in the title subject's sphere of influence. I carefully distinguish everyone by attitude and appearance, and relationships. That's needed when four men and eight women, some related, some bisexual, are skinnydipping etc.

I ended that series when several dozen players scurried about. Too many names.

Are any in my groups "unlikely friends"? No. They are who I (the author) say they are. The linkages aren't strained; I merely allow circles of friendship to widen. Bring in a few more cousins or musicians or botanists! Rescue those in need! Pick up hitchhikers!

Be sure names and pronouns agree.

PS -- character charts: In some pieces extending over time, I list birth years so I can keep players' ages straight. I might add notes about appearance and attitude, but I generally know WHO they are, just not WHEN.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

With a cast of 'thousands' I have a completely separate word doc dedicated to Characters... Sometimes it's just names other times it give their bio.

Here is what I did for Walker Brigade...

Echo Squad
Walker Brigade

First Squad, Second Platoon, Fifth Company, First Battalion of the Sixty-Forth Armored Brigade of the Third Mechanized Infantry Division of the First Stellar Army Corp of the Federated Union of Planets.

1st/64th
________________________________________

Max Jones – Chief Warrant Officer
Squad Leader Echo Squad Call Sign: Echo One

Bio: Maximillian Q. Jones Jr.

Max is a military brat whose father is a Fleet Rear Admiral in charge of the 2nd TechCom unit on Pacifica.

He has made it on his own without his father's help, but given opportunities by his father in order to advance his career. Although Max doesn't appreciate the opportunities, he does carry out any mission he is assigned to the best of his abilities.

Max believes in honor above all else. He believes in what he is doing for the Federated Union of Planets. He is proud to be a member of the Walker Brigade. He is a master tactician and strategist and should be at least four grades higher but does not want to give up his squad or take on the responsibilities of the promotion.

Max was born on Pacifica but moved around to many different planets due to his father’s duty assignments.

________________________________________

Becky Latham – Squad Second - First Class
Team Lead Team Three Call Sign: Echo Two

Bio: Becky Latham

Currently a Squad Second Becky Latham should be leading her own squad but due to insubordination charges, she was held back.

She hit a superior officer after he tried to force her to have sex with him while on an R&R leave on Pacifica.

Born on Pacifica she has in the past worked as a model on the TriV. Little else is known about her prior to joining the Walker Brigade.

Becky is also a hyperspace broadcaster - she broadcasts here wants and desires to others when awake in hyperspace. Therefore, she must be placed into cold sleep prior to a jump in to hyperspace.

________________________________________

Jolene Akers – Squad Second - Second Class
Team Lead Team Two Call Sign: Echo Three

Bio: Jolene Akers

Akers was a veteran of the logic wars and has been with the Chief for several years. Offered the position of squad second, she turned it down not wanting to leave her team as the squad second always leads the third team.

Akers, born on a rim world and doesn't talk about her home to many people. She joined the Stellar Army Corp. when she turned sixteen and was assigned to the Walker Brigade when she was promoted to Team Lead, she has been with the Chief ever since.
________________________________________

Charles Wickers – Trooper First Class
Member Team One Call Sign: Echo Four

Bio: Charles Wickers

Chuck, never Charles, has been a member of Echo Squad for three years. He is a member of Max's fire team.

Chuck was born on Proxima Prime but raised on Earth. His father being a big industrialist was head of the attempt to re-establish an industrial base on Earth. Chuck not wanting to follow in his father's footsteps enlisted in the Stellar Army after graduation from University Earth.

He fought in the Logic Wars and assigned to Echo Squad right out of training.

His childhood was that of a privileged upper class citizen but, he is as down to earth as the rest of the squad, if not more so.

________________________________________

Christine Shonner – Trooper Second Class
Member Team Three Call Sign: Echo Five

Bio: Chris Shonner

Chris was born and raised on Earth. She came from the slum city of New York. With no prospects of ever leaving, she joined the Stellar Army to get off Earth.

She doesn't talk about her youth much, except when she is drunk and then she cusses and cries while telling the story of her existence on Earth.

She showed an aptitude for Walkers. She was given a chance to train in them and excelled in Walker combat tactics. After graduation, she was assigned to Echo Squad for the operation against the M'roby.

She is a good trooper but has no leadership abilities and will remain a team member for her career.
________________________________________

Michelle D Santos-Tomas – Trooper First Class
Member Team Two Call Sign: Echo Six or Meds

Bio: Chelle Santos-Tomas

Chelle, (pronounced Shell) as she prefers to be called, graduated from MedSchool but has yet to take her board certification.

Chelle was born on Capa Prime and attended school on Pacifica. She is an excellent surgeon and a respected "Doctor" by her squad mates. She holds clinic once a day in her off hours for the squad.

She was assigned to Echo squad two years prior to the M'roby incident.

The reason she hasn't taken her boards came to light in chapter three, she has a serious problem with surgery and patching up people, whether they be her squad mates or not. She can do it and do it well but afterwards she has to puke her guts out.
________________________________________

Nadia K. Stevens – Trooper Second Class
Member Team Three Call Sign: Echo Seven

Bio: Nadia K. Stevens

Nadia joined Echo squad for the M'roby operation and was supposed to return to her old squad on the completion of that operation. But due to the movement of the squads as separate entities she has had to remain with Echo squad.

Nadia is a loner although a good trooper, she will carry out any orders given and follow her teammates into hell fire, she would rather spend her free time alone reading.

Not much is known of her background by the rest of the squad, as she is quiet when everyone gathers in the squad bay.

She would rather sit back and watch instead of participate.

________________________________________
Ellen J Johnson – Trooper First Class
Member Team One Call Sign: Echo Eight

Bio: Ellen J Johnson

Ellen Johnson a newly assigned member of Echo Squad, assigned to the squad just prior to the M'roby Incident.

Ellie was born on Octerria in the Mangold Sector. She was raised in the major city on the western continent, the daughter of a manufacture of arms for the Federated Planets Union.

She studied Xenobiology at university until she dropped out and joined the Stellar Army. She was assigned to the 4th Stellar Infantry Division until the Walker program started.

She had daddy pull some strings and was assigned to Walker training where she excelled at Walker Tactics.

Ellie has a problem taking responsibility for anyone or anything except herself and therefore will most likely be a career Trooper First Class.

________________________________________

Marg L. Epstein-Phillips – Trooper First Class
Member Team Two Call Sign: Echo Nine

Bio: Marg L. Epstein-Phillips

Marg joined Echo squad for the M'roby operation. She had been a member of Delta Squad but was moved over to Echo when Echo deployed for the M'roby incursion.

Marg was born and raised on Pacifica and joined the Stellar Army out of secondary school. She is smart and an excellent walker scout.

________________________________________

Fletcher Wilcox III – Trooper First Class
Member Team Two Call Sign: Echo Ten

Bio: Fletch Wilcox - Deceased

Fletch has been with Echo squad for two years. He is one of five men in the squad now, the rest being female.

Fletch has been with second team for one year and has fallen in love with his team lead, Jolene Akers.

Fletch was born on Vista One where he studied to be a Fryer. Upon graduation, he backed his belongings, walked into the Stellar Army recruiting center, and enlisted. Fletch is/was a valued member of the squad and liked by all.

________________________________________

Simon Eckles – Trooper Second Class
Member Team Two Call Sign: Echo Ten

Bio: Simon Eckles

Simon has worked for Max's father for approx. 10 years and is getting tired of fieldwork.

At first, he found that he loved being a spook but lately has grown displeased with what he is doing. He wants to be more involved with the action, rather than the behind the scenes intrigue that he has to be part of now.

When offered a position in Echo Squad he jumped at the chance.

Little is known about Simon’s background or where he came from as his record prior to joining Echo Squad is classified.

________________________________________

Samson A. Westerboc – Trooper First Class
Member Team One Call Sign: Echo Eleven

Bio: Sam Westerboc

Sam has been with Max from the beginning of the Logic Wars. He is a hardened combat veteran and was hand picked by Max to be a member of Echo Squad and Max's fire team.

Sam was born on Pacifica but raised on Mars where he went to Mars University. Having graduated with honors he was accepted by the Mars Combat Academy for advanced training in combat arts.

He joined the Stellar Army upon graduation from the academy and posted to Alpha Group. Two years later, for no explainable reason, he was posted to a combat infantry unit which Max led.

Sam is one of only five men in Echo Squad.

Although Max has put Sam up for promotion several times, each has been turned down.
________________________________________

Ernesto G Barr – Trooper First Class
Member Team Three Call Sign: Echo Twelve or Scans

Bio: Ernie Barr

Ernie has been a member of Echo Squad since the formation of the Walker Brigade. He is a valued member of Becky’s team and handles the Scanners with an expertise of no other.

Ernie was born and raised in the asteroid belt in the Sol System. The son of Miner he had no taste for the miner’s life. When he came of age enlisted in the Stellar Army.

________________________________________

 

[Hypoxia]

Here is what I did for Walker Brigade...

That's a lot. I usually stick to name, age, rough ethnicity, and vehicle. 30-ish Korean-born botanist Babs' Subaru can't change colors between episodes.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

That's a lot. I usually stick to name, age, rough ethnicity, and vehicle. 30-ish Korean-born botanist Babs' Subaru can't change colors between episodes.

Not really... you should see the character sheet for my Warrior One saga.

Wanna look?

 

[Hypoxia]

Wanna look?

I envisage a document only slightly smaller than a 1958 Sears catalog.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Unique physical characteristics help as visual clues. I've written several group sex stories and have found it helpful to describe physical attributes that identify one character at the exclusion of all others. "His massive prick" tells the reader precisely who it is if you're already established that only one character is especially well-endowed. Works just as well in reverse. Same for hair color, amount, etc.

Giving a character a signature phrase or two can help. Sort of like saying, "Cowabunga, dude!" Or, "Eat my shorts!"

I tend to discover my characters as I write, learning more about them along the way. For that reason, I keep a separate log of unique little facts that show up. For example, when I start a story, I might not know in advance that Sally was once stung by a bee. When it's revealed, I'll make a note to the side in case I need a reminder, "Oh yeah, that was Sally who got stung, while golfing, between the first and second hole."

 

[SolarRay]

I'm not surprised that many of you do some really impressive character charts... (Zeb: !!!) For the scope of this short story, I think notes are sufficient so I've distilled the relationship arcs between the main character and each of the critical secondary characters to serve as reference as I go back through and clean it up. This was all very helpful and motivating. Thanks!

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I envisage a document only slightly smaller than a 1958 Sears catalog.

Close... here's the info on just the FOP Fleets.

Fleet One

Warrior One – Fleet One Dreadnought – Captain Ezra Nichols - later Admiral Nichols
Mauthe Doog – Fleet One Battle Cruiser - Fleet Command Ship – Admiral Milford Cook Fleet Commander
Pech – Fleet One Carrier – Captain Fina Dugan(f)
Sensor Officer - Brennan Maguire - Lieutenant
Command Android - Diamond Steel
Chief Air Group - Commander Alastar Quinn
Selich – Fleet One Cruiser
Seonaidh – Fleet One Destroyer
Wulver – Fleet One Destroyer Captain Rosslea Ossnat(f)
Glaistig – Fleet One Communication Ship
Ceasg – Fleet One Destroyer - Captain Séamus Malone
Caoineag – Fleet One Battleship – Captain Ossian Kavanagh
Airne Mor – Fleet One Battle Cruiser - Captain Torna Hagan

Fleet Two

Warrior Two – Fleet Two Dreadnought – Captain Rohan MacKenna / Commander Ronan Pierce
Dún Muire – Fleet Two Battleship – Fleet Command Ship – Admiral Adair Fleet Commander
Wilmount – Fleet Two Battle Cruiser
Tilliums – Fleet Two Carrier
Taoibh Coille – Fleet Two Communication Ship
Lisieux – Fleet Two Cruiser
Knock Grena – Fleet Two Destroyer
Iveragh – Fleet Two Destroyer
Iona – Fleet Two Battle Cruiser - Captain Ailíse Sheridan(f)
Gleann Fia – Fleet Two Destroyer

Fleet Three

Warrior Three – Fleet Three Dreadnought – Captain Bridget Brogan(f)
Kyernia – Fleet Three Battleship – Fleet Command Ship – Captain Fleet Commander Sárán Conlan
Slíghe Dhála – Fleet Three Battle Cruiser
Naomh Eoin – Fleet Three Cruiser
Lios a Dun – Fleet Three Communication Ship
Kraceevee – Fleet Three Destroyer
Glencullen – Fleet Three Carrier
Ennisfree – Fleet Three Destroyer
Dooneen Faim – Fleet Three Destroyer
Cóis Dara – Fleet Three Battle Cruiser

Fleet Four

Warrior Four – Fleet Four Dreadnought - Captain Donal Carey
Scáthach – Fleet Four Battleship - Fleet Command Ship - Admiral Kaylee Lowery Fleet Commander(f)
Dalbhach – Fleet Four Battle Cruiser
Nuadha – Fleet Four Carrier
Fionúir – Fleet Four Communications Ship
Ailill – Fleet Four Destroyer
Oillín – Fleet Four Destroyer
Síofra – Fleet Four Destroyer
Fítheal – Fleet Four Battle Cruiser
Aisling – Fleet Four Cruiser

Fleet Cook (Destroyer Fleet)

Narvla - Destroyer - Captain: Commander Áinle Ó Daire*(f)
Ó Fearghal - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Beccán Boethius
Ó Cathaláin - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Ólchobar Mac Aodhagáin*
Cashlea - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Caughey Abbán
Draigen - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Maolán Faolán
Becc - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant JG Gobán Ó Ciaráin
Nóra - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Keeva Ó Donnagáin(f)
Lonán - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Ámhra Gráinne
Fáelán - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant Nóise McKinley
Rónán - Destroyer - Captain: Lieutenant JG Scolaí Dillon
Mauthe Doog - Battle Cruiser - Captain: Captain Donal Kelly* - Flagship Admiral Milford Cook commanding
Poll Steel - Captain Kelly's command android
First Officer: Commander Cian Bardon
Chief Engineer: Commander Onóra Cassidy
Chief Navigator: Commander Egan Lacy
Marine Commander: Major Séamus Conlan
Marine First Officer: Captain Eileen Reilly(f)
Weapons Officer: Lieutenant Commander Abrám Shanley
Altan - Battle Cruiser - Captain: Commander Abigeál Kerrin(f) - Lieutenant Neil Coulter 1st Officer
Éidin - Battle Cruiser - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Conall Ó Riagáin
Nóe - Battle Cruiser - Captain: Lieutenant Commander Dana Tracy*(f)
Tór - Fleet Command Battleship - Captain: Captain Mealla Bree*(f)

* Members of the Command Planning Group.

= Damaged
= Destroyed

Of course in word it looks a little better as html pulls all the tabs and other formatting

 

[Hypoxia]

No space epics for me! Niven+Pournelle-type cast lists overwhelm. Too many names. Everyone at the orgy needs an ID tag? Oy.

I'm mostly concerned that all humans are 18+ when sex is described and their ages are consistent as the storyline extends over time. And that I get their cars and horses right. And their tattoos and flavors. I can remember the rest.

 

[ElectricBlue]

No space epics for me! Niven+Pournelle-type cast lists overwhelm. Too many names. Everyone at the orgy needs an ID tag? Oy.

I'm mostly concerned that all humans are 18+ when sex is described and their ages are consistent as the storyline extends over time. And that I get their cars and horses right. And their tattoos and flavors. I can remember the rest.

Cars and horses have tattoos and flavours? That's a strange world you inhabit, Hypoxia, and I thought mine was odd .

 

[Kantarii]

Most of the character juggling on this site is simplified to juggling balls and tits
Kant

 

[jomar]

Try to keep the names way different from each other. I read a lot of books that have characters named way to similarly and it gets confusing.

 

[Hypoxia]

Cars and horses have tattoos and flavours? That's a strange world you inhabit, Hypoxia, and I thought mine was odd .

Expand your horizons. Polymorphous perversity for all! With spices.

(Herbs come from leaves. Spices come from seeds, stems, roots, etc.)

ObTopic: I never prototype players as Guy1, Gal3, Nerd2 -- they always start with names. Unless they're walk-on cartoon spear-carriers, of course. But Imani has a personality that Cousin4 lacks. So do all the relatives she's in bed with. They're easier to track that way, up to about a dozen or so. Then it gets messy.

 

[KeithD]

I sometimes use something like Guy1 and Guy2 or Stud1 and Stud2, Sailor1 and Sailor2 rather than a name to convey that it's a casual hookup--and involving a threesome or more. Once you name the characters you're picking up in a bar, you're getting personal with them. Sometimes the storyline dictates that you don't get personal with them.

Years ago we had a couple of critiquers in the Story Feedback section who insisted that you had to name your characters within the first paragraph of their appearance. Rubbish, it depends on what you want to convey with your story. I do some 1st-person stories so intimate with the narrator as protagonist that they aren't named anywhere in the story.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

No space epics for me! Niven+Pournelle-type cast lists overwhelm. Too many names. Everyone at the orgy needs an ID tag? Oy.

I'm mostly concerned that all humans are 18+ when sex is described and their ages are consistent as the storyline extends over time. And that I get their cars and horses right. And their tattoos and flavors. I can remember the rest.

Currently 15 word landscape pages long and still growing as I'm continuing with three more parts.

And it helps to be Sci-Fi without sex scenes.

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't go as far as Zeb, but at the outset of writing my story, I create two Word documents: one for the story and one for the story outline. The outline contains a brief description of the story, a list of the characters with a brief description of them, and a numbered outline of the events of the story. I usually plot out my stories before I start writing, although I usually deviate from the outline as I write.

I don't usually include a lot of character information in the outline, although it depends on what the story requires.