User blog comment:Mroddy/Writer's Workshop: Organic Elimination Orders/@comment-3350823-20151107005035

I'm late but this is an amazing blog <3 I'm always happy to see more blogs about writing and fanfictions. I agree a lot with what you said.

When I started WTH? (and very new) I hadn't planned anything, making some characters up right before I made their page. It lead to some problems xD I did end up making a list and planned all my elimination, but I think that may have unmotivated me. So while I think you need planning before a story to an extent (I know, that's probably should go without staying :p) You always have to be open to new ideas and possibilities.

I do elimination depends heavily on what you're trying to do with a story. I'd say most TD stories are character centeric (like an ensemble) so characters being focused on is important. But depending on if the story is supposed to be comedic or dramatic, how a character is eliminated/how there story is finished varies for me (though a lot of fics are a mix).

I also think that it is important that just because someone's story is 'finished' doesn't mean they should be sent home right away. If the character is a good source of humor/you enjoy writing them, then they don't have to leave right away. And of course they could have new, further story plots or act as supporting characters for other characters stories (maybe giving advice, being there for a friend, etc.).

You don't want to keep them around so much that they hog all the spotlight/become a burden. But it can be jarring when as soon as their story is wrapped up they're booted off right away (such as two people finally hook up...then one leaves and we never see the relationship develop, which tends to happen quite frequently). It's a tough balancing act and of course depends on how comedic/dramatic you want your story to be and if you have a theme (some stories don't, they're just for fun which is fine :p).

First outs are always tricky I think; I feel in a lot of stories the first out is often obvious for the usual reasons (too annoying, cost the challenge). They're a character we don't want to get invested in, so they don't really have a story (which isn't bad if it gives other characters development). I'm not saying this is a bad thing, just a thing I've noticed.

Overall, I'm trying to be more organic with Total Drama Genesis. I do have most of the early order in my head (though it has switched once or twice after conception) and certain characters I know won't win. But the later half and the final two has bounced around...a lot. We'll see how that goes :p