Category talk:Plot Devices

Kay, your definition of plot devices seems good to me, as do almost all the categories. The main items on your list that I'm not sure about are 'rakes' and 'pirates' (unless it's 'sudden attack by pirates' or 'rake in arranged marriage') because I have the feeling that a plot device is more something that happens to the main characters/a situation they find themselves in, than a description of them. I'm assuming that 'serial killers' is describing the situation the protagonists have to deal with, rather than the hero and heroine ;-) And 'shapeshifter' could maybe be included in 'dealing with paranormal abilities/beings', though that's not the most concise way of phrasing it.

I could well be wrong, though. There's a discussion about plot devices in romance here which might give you a few more items to add to the list.--Laura V 14:37, 3 March 2007 (PST)

wow, thanks Laura. I agree that the career or position of the characters is often not a real "plot device," but as they said on the blog we think of the "reforming the rake" and "guardian/ward" stories as plot devices, even though the story just grows from who they are (I guess). I did not know about the Fog City ladies (I am in SF area). Thanks for the link. Maybe we should have a blog page here with links to the varous blogs. MMmmmm. --Kay T 15:13, 3 March 2007 (PST)