What to do with my shape-shifter...?

Not sure you'd find much of anything original anymore; it has all been done. It's how you make it work that matters. I've seen movies where organs have been used. Coming of age is used. A life threatening incident.

Personally, I like the adrenalin, which in this case I'd say would be caused by fear. Not new, no, but it would be my choice. He was born a shape shifter but the ability has been suppressed. By him or someone else? If you did go with it suppressed by someone else that would add another layer to work with. But it really depends on how you want to tell the story. You'll need to decide which way works best for your story and your character, though.

As far as the name, which one does your character prefer? What does he really think of Icarus? If he hates it you could still use it and in a way that irritates him to no end. He might tell everyone his name is Jordan but his real first name will get out and he'll have to deal with it. I might begin to sound repetitive in some of my posts but, don't make things easy for your characters. Make them deal with issues they'd rather never ever face.

If you find it hard to figure out your character do an interview with them. Seriously, it's amazing what might come out of their mouth when asked pointed questions, even if they don't give a verbal answer you can pick up on body movements that tell much about them. Pretend you are sitting with them somewhere, anywhere and start questioning them. It's really a game you are playing in your head, but it can work.

To see how to interview your characters go here http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/developingcharacters.html You can use those questions, add to them or make up your own.

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Melanie A.
jadedragon's muse

You can't edit what you haven't written.

Right, it has to do with how I write it, have you read Jumper? That’s so unoriginal but it turned into an awesome novel.
But seriously though, organs have been used? I thought I was on to something.

I guess it’s back to square one, which is-
Adrenaline as you said, that’s what I started with before I added the organ thing, and suppression.
I didn’t want my story to be clichéd, but that’s hard to do.

Also, seeing other novels such as vampire ones being written with a same idea in mind, why not a book about a shape-shifter?

Thanks for the info.

A suggestion for shapeshifting. Perhaps your character is reacting to Fear, to anticipation, to a strong emotion that has him leaping off the cliff int he first place.

From the books I've read, strong emotions will trigger the change anytime.

Pssst!! Don't Scream... it's only a Nightmare!
2003 - Shadow Demon Won.
2004 - Dracul Diamond Lost
2005 - Jade Kitsune Lost
2006 - Beltane Fire Won
2007 - Hellfire - Working on it.

I suggest that freefalling had something to do with it, some pressure exerted on his brain. So make him move to the city and OMG try it out from a building after he jumpes from his house rooftop towards a pool or a trampoline. The freefall has to happen for a length of time, not just leaping onto the couch or jumping even on a trampoline. And Oh Myyyy WORDDD... the next time he could find out about it is when he is on a plane trip and the plane is falling, either about to crash or...in a large pocket of turbulence! Imagine Old Lady Brown sitting next to him on the plane!!!!!

Or, how about the rocks or minerals in the cliffs?

jade

It's your world, and you have the power!

*nods*
Thanks for being nice to the new person.
Awesome ideas. Especially the plane one, I can already see the scene playing out,
My character is a total loud mouth so I wouldn't be surprised if he causes some kind of panic
Plus it's easier for him to get into trouble.

Now I'm going to get started yay. :D

... Yes. Reacting to Fear would be a less over-used idea. You know the flight-or-fight action? Well, for him it could be the flight-fight-or-shift problem. And of course, he'd end up shifting. ... And maybe he'd have to erase peoples memories... Oh well.

-Death