My Harry Potter fan fiction is in trouble
A is for ACCURATE, Abracadabra, and Ay Caramba!
Why can't we watch people get along and do cool things all the time?
Here is an elevator pitch for my Harry Potter fan fiction:
Harry goes to Hogwarts, becomes the most popular kid in school, dates all the girls, learns all the magics, and, fresh out of school, crypto and A.I. make him the richest man on Earth before turning 21.
People called him: "Harry Baller."
Awesome, right?
Now compare it with the original version:
Harry Potter is an awkward orphan living with an extended family that doesn't want him.
At school, he faces racially insensitive behavior, struggles with crippling doubt, and a super weird man wants him dead.
Oh, and he has a visible scar on his face.
So. Which one would you read?
No need to answer that one. I know that you'd prefer the fun and charming Harry Baller.
But let's imagine that you choose to read the second one. The sadder Harry.
What makes us read Harry Potter, watch The Kardashians, and rejoice with Greta's tweets dragging older white men?
Jesus embodies the feeling better than I can.
You are defined by the size of your struggles, the quality of your enemies, and the net value of the dragon you've slain.
Unfortunately (for my fan fiction), we're wired to root for someone struggling rather than succeeding.
Two good quotes about this:
Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them – in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
Act 1: You chase your hero up a tree.
Act 2: You throw rocks at them.
Act 3: You get them down (or not).
Understood, sires.
Let's give Harry Baller some sh*t.
In a confusing incident involving a Chai Latte and a neurodivergent unpaid intern, Harry Baller gets canceled.
He retreats to his mansion and tries a comeback as a rapper, but partnering with DJ Khaled does not go well.
Finally, a tequila-fuelled Tinder session ends with Harry scammed out of his fortune.
Broke, canceled, and street-cred dry. Harry Baller begins training at a humble boxing gym. He wants to clean his name.
I'd watch that.
Still here?
Shoo.
Off you go.
Show the struggle.
Success and bravado are boring.
The more we know about your enemies and obstacles, the more we'll listen.
3,2,1
conflictus immediatus ayayai!
See you on Wednesday ❤️
Matias.
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