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Post by Nittanylizard on May 15, 2007 19:35:10 GMT -5
It could be that there is just enough known about him that there isn't such a narrow window in creating a believable voice, background, situations, etc. for him. He's a "bad boy" kind of guy, but we know so little else, he's kind of open to interpretation.
Now, that said, I find it really interesting that when you look at the fics about him/involving him that were written by some of the better writers on the site (yourself included, mars), anybody who didn't know better would think you had all read a detailed book about just that character. He has a very similar tone in all of them, as if he is the person he is, and if you tried to characterize him differently it wouldn't feel right.
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Post by fairlane on May 15, 2007 19:50:52 GMT -5
lol good question. As far as writing him, I love writing him because there is so much room to expand his character, as he was given so little time in the book.
The lines he is given make for some good potential to work with - he's a gang leader, he cares about his brother, he doesn't express his emotions, he gives out strict discipline to his gang. Figuring out his values and motivations within those constraints is open to a lot of possibility.
I agree with the point about Dally, he is seen as similar to him and described that way by Pony, however he also has the ability to attract a loyal following, and the interest in doing so. Dally meanwhile comes across as someone who is not a joiner or a leader either way when it comes to a gang.
I imagine Tim as being extremely controlled and controlling, Dally's behaviour is probably much more explosive and impulsive.
Ha you can see I've given this waaaay too much thought lol. By the way I finally started on your Tim Shepard story and I think you nailed him. I'll send you a review proper when I get a bit further in!
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Post by zevie on May 16, 2007 16:35:10 GMT -5
No kidding. How come everyone writes him the same way if he's so open-ended?
I've spent way too much time thinking about Tim Shepard to look at this objectively. I have a very clear idea of who he is - even more than Dallas I think, and he's got so much more written about him...maybe that's why actually, heh. Dally's got too many complexes and situations from the novel to figure out.
I wonder...is it just the fanfic community who came up with this character for Tim? If so, it's very, very strange that we'd all think of him the same way (fairlane - "controlled and controlling" - I totally agree). I think somehow through those three pages, his character differences from Dally must have come out. But, I think I also really take into account Glenn Withrow's portrayal from the movie. I mean, Tim could technically be exactly like Dallas right? But, everyone has this calm, cool, controlled idea of him, and that's not always something people associate with Dallas, lol. I think Glenn pulls this off amazingly - he's a very expressive actor (in this at least - I haven't seen anything else). He says VERY little in words, but a heck of a lot through his body language, expressions, his eyes...through silence. I better stop before I start fangirling. But, I think Glenn definitely influences my idea of Tim.
(As a side-note, I usually don't picture Glenn as Tim, for all that I admire his acting.)
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Post by fairlane on May 16, 2007 17:40:42 GMT -5
Well, I haven't read too many other stories about Tim Shepard, but thats interesting that everyone apparantly sees him the same way.
For me there are two reasons for that (related); the gang, and the line where Ponyboy describes him as giving out strict discipline to his gang.
There is obviously a degree of organization by him imposed on the gang which suggests he likes things under his control. He would have to be tough but also smart to command the respect of a group of rebellious teenagers.
Ponyboy refering to what he gives out as discipline rather than just beatings is telling I think, it suggests a level of control on Tim's part for Pony to consider it that.
Well it's all subjective of course but its interesting to think about anyway!
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Post by zevie on May 17, 2007 13:45:52 GMT -5
Wow, nice analysis! Very cool.
Haha, I was just reading over the first time we get introduced to Tim where Two-Bit refers to him and his gang as "Mr. Timothy Shepard and Co." I remember the very first time I EVER read that, I actually thought Mr. Timothy Shepard was a grown man, a business owner somewhere, and he actually had a company. Hahaha. It took me another read to connect the dots to the lean, cat-like 18-year-old, lol.
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Post by zevie on May 24, 2007 17:50:13 GMT -5
Oh my god. This has nothing to do with anything sorry guys. Anyone who loves the Shepards needs to check out the_sly_wink's cigarette fight on the outsiders art LJ community. I just discovered it existed because, as mentioned before, I am slow. It's *so cool*. community.livejournal.com/outsidersart/ |
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Post by zevie on May 24, 2007 19:32:43 GMT -5
Amazing. I'm usually not a fan of anime styles (unless it's originally anime) just because, um, I like my guys as guys. No offense meant. And almost all the artwork I've come across is anime. So I love this artist. She rocks my world. I love that Dally's smoking and Tim has a half-empty beer bottle! Instantly thought of Triangle and Welcome to the Wrong Side, lol.
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Post by fairlane on May 25, 2007 3:59:42 GMT -5
Those are awesome. I really wish that I was artistic, it would be cool to do an illustrated fanfic.
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Post by Ryker on May 25, 2007 13:28:24 GMT -5
Man those are awesome! Thanks for posting the links. Wish I could draw like that.
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Post by fosterchild on May 26, 2007 16:09:19 GMT -5
Wow, those rock!
I love Scarlett 7's the best, tho!
That Dally/Tom one kicked a$$!
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Post by zevie on May 27, 2007 21:53:19 GMT -5
Keep on checking out the art - here's hoping for an update.  I'm wondering about Timmy's future. Ms. Hinton gave us some info on the guys and their futures, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think she mentions the Shepards. I have a horrible future in my mind for Tim, involving a long stint in prison, the disintigration of his family and a general downward spiral into an early death. Happy thoughts. But, the thing is, he's pretty young, so he's got a chance, I think. Do you guys think it's possible at all for him to get a happy ending? Or, where do you see him, later in life? |
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Post by fosterchild on May 28, 2007 18:20:17 GMT -5
I meant Dally/Tim....duh....
And if all goes well in mars' world Mr. Shepard will have a relatively happy ending. I look forward to seeing where Triangle ends up!
I think ultimately Tim is a good guy but has a tough life and has to be the toughest to survive it. Model JD, yes but I think he still has a heart. He just does what he has to do.
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Post by zevie on May 28, 2007 19:56:26 GMT -5
Yeah, I think he'd be smart enough to realise that having the cops respect him, rather than marking them an open enemy, would be valuable. Keep them off his back and out of his way, since operating covertly with a whole gang under his wing would be difficult if the cops were on him like they seemed to be on Dallas (being picked up for *everything* that happens).
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Post by Tensleep on May 29, 2007 14:21:32 GMT -5
Let's see...haven't put in my two bits yet, so here I go!
I think that one of the reasons that everyone likes Tim so much is because he is a little bit of a mystery. We know enough to know he exists and has a gang, a little brother and gets into trouble with or without Dallas. That leaves a lot open to play with and with all the Curtis sister stories, random girl insertions, time travels and somebody's sick fics...I think we're all looking for something different. Tim is different. He fits in the world, but not in the constraints of the Curtis' gang. He's the next step up and that makes it easy to put him in positions that the gang would normally avoid.
So in a nut shell, Tim Shepard is something fresh and out there. That's why I figure hes so popular. For me, he's convenient for a story or two that need that up in violence.
And I tend to agree with Zevie, as usual. He knows that he has to keep a few aces up his sleeve and some connections in his pockets. He realizes the value of being smarter than the people he bosses around
Thanks for sharing the drawings! I can't draw, period. So I like seeing stuff like that!
See ya in the funny papers!!!
Tens
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Post by maxiekat on Jun 14, 2007 23:58:29 GMT -5
This would actually make a really cool T-shirt. |
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