Writer's help corner: Bringing out faithful characterization

[JulieYBM]

I'm not sure how Mike feels about this sort of topic but I figure I'll give it a shot.

Right now I'm writing my first serious DB fan fic, specifically a DBGT rewrite, and I'd like to keep characterizations faithful to those of the original Japanese scripts. I'm not well-versed in the original as much as I would like to be nor do I own a whole lot of the series on DVD. I'm specifically fearful Son Gokû's characterization, which is a hard thing to do, and also Vegeta's. Anybody have some helpful tips?

[Kaboom]

Well, we've got an entire FanWorks-devoted subforum now, so I guess topics like this are more than appropriate.

Right now I'm writing my first serious DB fan fic, specifically a DBGT rewrite

Welcome to my world.

I'm specifically fearful of Son Gokû's characterization, which is a hard thing to do, and also Vegeta's. Anybody have some helpful tips?

Goku: Bright, happy, carefree about most things almost to the point of dismissal. But very loving and encouraging to his friends and family at the same time. As far as speaking patterns go, he's very informal. Use a lot of improper contractions I guess, like "ain't" and "don'tcha" and "whuzzat?" and the like.

Vegeta: Pretty much Goku's opposite. He speaks very matter-of-factly and rough, bordering on just plain being a dick most of the time. By the era of GT, he's mellowed out somewhat, but he's still not the kind of guy to really give a damn about anyone else's feelings. He speaks a little more haughty and formally.

[JulieYBM]

On Vegeta: what's his relationship like with his family? Judging from the way he drives Bra around I'd say she knows how to play him or he's afraid to stand up to her.

[Kaboom]

On Vegeta: what's his relationship like with his family? Judging from the way he drives Bra around I'd say she knows how to play him or he's afraid to stand up to her.

That'd fall into the "mellowed out" aspect of him, I suppose. He really does care for his family but isn't the type to really admit it. He loves Bulma, is proud of Trunks' strength, and Bra has him wrapped around her finger. He knows it full well, and while he may pretend to be annoyed or dissatisfied, it's mostly a front by this point. Obviously something like Bra dragging him around shopping all day would annoy him and he'd let you know, but what he wouldn't admit is that a part of him enjoys spending time with his daughter.

The same would apply towards non-family, too. He still wants and works towards surpassing Goku, but that's become a more "friendly rivalry" matter now than a "I'm gonna f***ing kill you someday."

Just a note, I'm trying hard to keep this stuff as general and "pre-established" as I can, without falling into my own "prediction" of the characters for GTR. Try to take what I say as guidelines rather than fact. :X

[JulieYBM]

On Vegeta: what's his relationship like with his family? Judging from the way he drives Bra around I'd say she knows how to play him or he's afraid to stand up to her.

That'd fall into the "mellowed out" aspect of him, I suppose. He really does care for his family but isn't the type to really admit it. He loves Bulma, is proud of Trunks' strength, and Bra has him wrapped around her finger. He knows it full well, and while he may pretend to be annoyed or dissatisfied, it's mostly a front by this point. Obviously something like Bra dragging him around shopping all day would annoy him and he'd let you know, but what he wouldn't admit is that a part of him enjoys spending time with his daughter.

The same would apply towards non-family, too. He still wants and works towards surpassing Goku, but that's become a more "friendly rivalry" matter now than a "I'm gonna f***ing kill you someday."

Just a note, I'm trying hard to keep this stuff as general and "pre-established" as I can, without falling into my own "prediction" of the characters for GTR. Try to take what I say as guidelines rather than fact. :X

Ah, good, good. I'm really trying to rely on that with my own rewrite becuase it seems so Toriyama-esque for Vegeta to totally be whipped by his daughter in that sense, and also with those other aspects.