Memory Manipulation

[Sergeandgreen]

What is your opinion about mind and memory manipulation?

 

[DemonOppai]

It depends. If the villain is a yandere and has insane love for the mc. Then that’s completely fine in my opinion.

But any other circumstances. I wouldn’t touch it, at all. It leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouth as a reader.

 

[Rhaps]

As someone who is somewhat of an expert in gaslighting, it is fun to mess with!

 

[Sergeandgreen]

It depends. If the villain is a yandere and has insane love for the mc. Then that’s completely fine in my opinion.

But any other circumstances. I wouldn’t touch it, at all. It leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouth as a reader.

I think it funny that you are fine with a love interest doing it instead of a villain, even though it's more of a thing villains would do. Well Yandere would do it too, I guess, but you get my point.
Would it change your opinion if it is known that the villain has that ability? For me, that plays a large part in it. I mean, if i know it could happen to the hero if he got caught, then i wouldn't be to annoyed when i realize that it already happened.

 

[ManGoat]

Honestly, I don't even like the idea of 'fate' guiding the MC's decisions let alone a more direct mind control from the villain.

 

[DemonOppai]

I think it funny that you are fine with a love interest doing it instead of a villain, even though it's more of a thing villains would do. Well Yandere would do it too, I guess, but you get my point.
Would it change your opinion if it is known that the villain has that ability? For me, that plays a large part in it. I mean, if i know it could happen to the hero if he got caught, then i wouldn't be to annoyed when i realize that it already happened.

I’m fine with it because I love yanderes. So I’m quite bias towards them. No, I don’t like villains that has memory altering abilities.

 

[HelloHound]

technically speaking sybil can mess with other's memories and free will so it'd be hypocritical if she could do it but not have it done

 

[georgelee5786]

Meh

 

[Deleted member 146224]

I'm not against the idea, but would probably spend some extra time to think the plot through, so I don't mess it up and so it doesn't end up annoying to the readers

 

[CarburetorThompson]

Only good in smut

 

[prognastat]

Not really a fan of the concept and would only really accept it as a temporary state. Like something the MC needs to overcome. If it's a permanent change I wouldn't like it.

 

[Sergeandgreen]

Not really a fan of the concept and would only really accept it as a temporary state. Like something the MC needs to overcome. If it's a permanent change I wouldn't like it.

Yeah, it would be quite annoying if it feels like the mc is just a puppet, but I haven't read a story where it was used and the mc didn't free himself after some time. But yes, I would totally agree that it needs to be a temporary state.

Only good in smut

So you want smut where the mc can't remember it happened or you want smut where the mc thinks it happened even thought it didn't?
Or do you mean you have a rapy mc that uses it on others?

 

[DemonOppai]

Only good in smut

True

 

[Sergeandgreen]

I'm not against the idea, but would probably spend some extra time to think the plot through, so I don't mess it up and so it doesn't end up annoying to the readers

Yeah, the plot can become quite confusing. But if you have a story that has a level of complexity where you only attract people that like to use their brains while reading, you can create a really interesting story. Especially if the reader and mc don't know it and slowly get supsicious about certain events.

 

[Deleted member 146224]

Yeah, the plot can become quite confusing. But if you have a story that has a level of complexity where you only attract people that like to use their brains while reading, you can create a really interesting story. Especially if the reader and mc don't know it and slowly get supsicious about certain events.

Agreed. I think there are some interesting things that could be done with this idea, so as long as it's properly executed it would be quite interesting. In general I believe that there aren't that many things that can't turn out interesting with a proper execution.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

So you want smut where the mc can't remember it happened or you want smut where the mc thinks it happened even thought it didn't?
Or do you mean you have a rapy mc that uses it on others?

that’s a very uncreative novice application of the concept.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

What is your opinion about mind and memory manipulation?

I chose "What is this free Will you are talking about?" Hehehe... I'm so EVIL! *embarrassingly cheesy villain voice*
My main character freely manipulates their own memory, selectively mindwiping themselves to ensure they can act appropriately and prevent their own trauma from crippling themselves.
They regularly deal with the Ship of Theseus problem. Their body keeps getting replaced or transformed, and it affects their mind deeply. Simply using various body parts can have impact on thought processes in a more extreme way than, to give a classic reincarnation example, an old mind transplanted to a young body. Using the eyes on their arms is like using rose-tinted glasses, except, it is viewing the world through the lens of a pathologically narcisstic and vain individual.
In the dual-faceted magic system of Essence split into Magic and Miasma affect the mind as a matter of course, there are numerous ways to develop all kinds of mind and memory manipulation (defensive skills, offensive skills, information-gathering skills, the lesser well-known creation of various artifacts involved in memory).
Numerous individuals, whether during interrogations or due to the brand of Essence that they use, affect the mind of others. Many different creatures or humans with traits have body parts or are made of Essence that can do everything from making others fall in love with you to being suicidal (the main character's blood, for example) to hair with the literal shonen protagonist aura of increase bravery (the much beloved Betsie). There is a stat called "Charisma" and I heavily explore that aspect.
Mind and memory manipulation is some of the most important parts of my story!!! There is so many different types of it in my fiction, it is impossible to cover its breadth.

 

[marvel_away]

What is your opinion about mind and memory manipulation?

My novel contain elements of mind manipulation and I hope I was successful in the novel.

It is true that it can only be in smut genre and no hero would mind manipulate anyone to do their bidding.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

My novel contain elements of mind manipulation and I hope I was successful in the novel.

It is true that it can only be in smut genre and no hero would mind manipulate anyone to do their bidding.

*Le gasp!* I am not in the smut genre! Just because there is a well-developed usage of it in the prostitution sector, it does not mean its smut! *mock-hurt harrumph!*
I would not call most of the characters in my fictions heroes by any stretch of the imagination, but some are genuinely good. I think the main character is still a hero, not an anti-hero or villain.
But maybe I am idealistic. Perhaps they are an anti-hero or villain. That's really up to the reader!

 

[GlassRose]

Generally no, and it would make me uncomfortable to read about, but if I'm in the right headspace to handle it then, if written well, it can be interesting.

If I were to write a story, with the magic system I've devised, mind-alteration magic would be very, very difficult and complicated. Like, you'd have to understand the soul on a level deep enough to essentially do brain surgery on it to re-write memories or make your alterations. (Or I suppose, the brain enough to do actual magic brain surgery) There are some methods to sort of skip past the technical knowledge, but even then, souls are pretty resistant against external manipulation, and naturally would resist that method itself even more than the surgery route.

Much easier however would be manipulation of emotions, and with a deft hand and a good knowledge of people, that could be used by a villain to enhance more traditional psychological manipulation tactics.