*laughing* Oh, no, I agree with you. I'm just saying. Novik was more known for Harry Potter fanfic, after all. It's just that when you read Temeraire, the Master and Commander series immediately comes to mind. It's just that, she did a heck of a lot of world-building (filing off serial numbers) and so on, and so it works. Aubrey Maturin and Temeraire are somewhat similar in temperament, but not altogether so, and Temeraire being a dragon really changes things a lot. The two captains (whose names I cannot remember very clearly) are closer, but still fall into the stereotype-rather-than-fanfic category (stiff-upper-lip British naval captain). Also, lots of hijinks at sea.
But yes, yes. This is why when I write I really detest using race/hair color/etc as a distinguishing factor. Culture yes. Ethnicity maybe (depends on a lot of things like whether they're a majority race, a minority race, a visitor, etc). Age is good but never stands alone. Etc. And relationships with other people, and little quirks like twirling their pen or always counting the steps or only stepping on the black parts of a zebra crossing or avoiding the cracks in the pavement (my personal quirks, and I enjoy putting these in characters)...
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Date: 6 Feb 2010 04:10 am (UTC)But yes, yes. This is why when I write I really detest using race/hair color/etc as a distinguishing factor. Culture yes. Ethnicity maybe (depends on a lot of things like whether they're a majority race, a minority race, a visitor, etc). Age is good but never stands alone. Etc. And relationships with other people, and little quirks like twirling their pen or always counting the steps or only stepping on the black parts of a zebra crossing or avoiding the cracks in the pavement (my personal quirks, and I enjoy putting these in characters)...