What is it about George Lucas and J K Rawling?

[xiphias]

I mean, let's face it -- both of them are, well, mediocre story-crafters. And the universes they create don't REALLY hold together all that well -- their world-building is, y'know, okay. Their characters are fairly two-dimensional.

But, damn, there's something there. Something about what they create just sticks with you.

What is it?!

I can point to the weaknesses in Star Wars, and in Harry Potter. But that doesn't matter. There's SOMETHING in those that works.

Are there other fictional universes that just, y'know, get you that way? Even if the people who created them are fairly mediocre in their craft?

And what IS it? Can it be learned? I mean, all of you who write for a living -- you've probably asked yourself this question occasionally, too. . .

Is it the same thing for Star Wars and for Harry Potter?

Comments

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

I can answer that.

It's cool shit. And they create universes kids would like to live in, characters they would like to be, and wars they would like to fight.

And none of it's too complicated.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah -- but what MAKES it cool shit? WHY do we want to live in those universes? What is it about Hermione, Han Solo, Ron, Leia, Harry, and Luke that makes us want to be them?

Because, let's face it -- when I actually sit and THINK about it, the Weasley's standard of living is slightly below mine -- they have magic, but Mrs Weasley doesn't do anything with it that I can't do with a vacuum cleaner or microwave. I don't want to live on a desert planet doing moisture fucking farming. I don't even want to live on a giant city-wide planet.

My life is better than the lives of a lot of the characters in those works. Or, at least, it suits me better.

And yet, Star Wars and Harry Potter work for me.

Is what attracts us to these the same thing that made people join Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, or fight against Franco?

[gilmoure.livejournal.com]

Maybe it comes down to an insignificant person/kid, finding out they really matter? Isn't it the same ole' question: Why are we here? What is my purpose in life? If I had never been born, would the world really miss me? Stories like this are all "You're a special snowflake. Too."

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

Again. It's cool, and it's not too challenging.

Not too challenging is important. If it gets too challenging it becomes uncomfortable.