Writing leveling up in an engaging way is hard. Groundhog Day is one classic example where it’s done well, and is pure growing mindset and determination, no extra talent.
I think in the Hunger Games it is implicitly assumed that she both has a gift for archery and had worked hard to develop it. I agree that her wins look mostly like luck or some behind-the-screen force.
Indeed in the Honor Harrington series the brutal training schedule, while not often explicitly shown, is alluded to multiple times, and the explanation for the original villain remaining largely technically incompetent is rather contrived and hand-waved. I chalk that one to David Weber being completely incapable of writing non-cartoonish villains, ever.
A big offender in the “all talent, little work” department is Ender’s Game: Ender manages to beat a more experienced player 2 out of 3 without ever touching the game controls prior to the contest. Later on, he trains his troops, but he is already magically there himself. Though there is the bit where he levels up properly under Mazer Rackham.
Brandon Sanderson’s writings tend to be quite decent. The characters tend to put a lot of work into achieving their potential, but there is never a “growing mindset is all you need” premise, one always needs a healthy measure of talent to excel. Even geniuses with an obvious talent at least have to work hard at learning how to control it.
Brandon Sanderson’s writings tend to be quite decent.
I’d thought about putting the Mistborn series in the “things that are close to what I’m talking about”, but I’ve only read 2⁄3 of the first book.
the explanation for the original villain remaining largely technically incompetent is rather contrived and hand-waved.
I’d forgotten about that. I think maybe I assumed the incompetent-villain characters were finding ways to skimp on the training that was supposed to be required?
I also considered Enders Game and didn’t arrive at the same conclusion. After all we follow him though all of the hard work. Yes he does win most of the challenges but then a) he has been bred for that and b) all the situations are set up and monitored—presumably to keep him in his zone of proximal development. And most of this is made transparent. And as you say he meets his equal and even fails. So I think this rather falls into the category of making the best of ones talent by hard work.
A few notes.
Writing leveling up in an engaging way is hard. Groundhog Day is one classic example where it’s done well, and is pure growing mindset and determination, no extra talent.
I think in the Hunger Games it is implicitly assumed that she both has a gift for archery and had worked hard to develop it. I agree that her wins look mostly like luck or some behind-the-screen force.
Indeed in the Honor Harrington series the brutal training schedule, while not often explicitly shown, is alluded to multiple times, and the explanation for the original villain remaining largely technically incompetent is rather contrived and hand-waved. I chalk that one to David Weber being completely incapable of writing non-cartoonish villains, ever.
A big offender in the “all talent, little work” department is Ender’s Game: Ender manages to beat a more experienced player 2 out of 3 without ever touching the game controls prior to the contest. Later on, he trains his troops, but he is already magically there himself. Though there is the bit where he levels up properly under Mazer Rackham.
Brandon Sanderson’s writings tend to be quite decent. The characters tend to put a lot of work into achieving their potential, but there is never a “growing mindset is all you need” premise, one always needs a healthy measure of talent to excel. Even geniuses with an obvious talent at least have to work hard at learning how to control it.
I’d thought about putting the Mistborn series in the “things that are close to what I’m talking about”, but I’ve only read 2⁄3 of the first book.
I’d forgotten about that. I think maybe I assumed the incompetent-villain characters were finding ways to skimp on the training that was supposed to be required?
I think nepotism was mentioned as the reason, but it is hard to see how it would help to wiggle out of training.
I also considered Enders Game and didn’t arrive at the same conclusion. After all we follow him though all of the hard work. Yes he does win most of the challenges but then a) he has been bred for that and b) all the situations are set up and monitored—presumably to keep him in his zone of proximal development. And most of this is made transparent. And as you say he meets his equal and even fails. So I think this rather falls into the category of making the best of ones talent by hard work.