I need minions. Not minions in a 'I've got an evil plot to take over the word, but I need help' -- that would be wrong. No, I need minions to help me with the million things I don't want to do (like laundry, dusting, helping me plot clever ways to get cookies into every post).
And if the minions were like the cheeky little dudes below -- double win.
(Image of Minions found here)
Why am I talking about minions? After watching Despicable Me, I got to thinking about the minions. This led me to thinking about minions on TV and, of course, in literature.
Minions serve a variety of purposes:
1) They carry out the tasks we don't have time for.
2) They are often expendable. Think of the poor, unidentified crew member who beams down to the unexplored planet with the main cast in Star Trek episodes -- they usually bite it first.
3) They provide diversions before the hero/heroine gets to the main antagonist -- think James Bond. If it isn't a 7 foot guy with steel jaws... a woman with a knife in her shoe... it's a guy with a bowler hat that can take your head off!
Here are some minions in books that came to mind:
Harry Potter, Voldemort has his minions -- his Death Eaters and various other co-baddies.
The Twilight Saga -- The Volturi have their followers/hench-vampires with powers. Heck, even Victoria has minion newborn vampires to carry out her plans.
Dracula has Renfield and his vampire brides. Even Lucy is a bit of a victim turned minion. Van Helsing has to get past them before he can get to the Count.
Some minions can even appear to serve the villain, but don't. Some see the error of their ways and turn to the side of good. Some are just there for comic relief, but they all serve a purpose. And, like them or not, the story wouldn't be the same without them.
What about you? Met any book minions recently? Do you have any in your WIPs?
I'm also posting over on Operation Awesome today. I have some fantastic March Mystery Agent details that you won't want to miss. Check it out here.
17 comments:
Yes, more minions.
And you've just jogged my fuzzy gray matter and I realized something important about WIP #2.
Thank you, thank you.
Hmmm. I love minions. One of my MCs is a minion for another MC. In fact, my story has plenty of minions. Can't avoid it, when I have kings and armies involved.
:-)
I have two minions. They do some chores around the house. If they don't, they don't get their allowance.
I'm with Matt...my little minions don't get their allowance if they don't do their work either. I could us a personal one to cook and clean though!
My minions tend to make a bigger mess than they should. And there's a reason they don't get allowance.
I'm sure my hubby would love it if I had a bunch more minions (the kind that don't go to school or cost money) so that the house was cleaner than it is. ;)
man, do you know how clean my house would be if i had minions?! it would be awesome...
I could definitely use some minions to cook for me. That'd be swell!
MUTE minions. That would be a lovely lovely thing...ah...Maybe I would even have time to schedule take over the world plots...mwahaha! If you fine a minion depot, let me know!
Housekeeping minions would be heaven-sent!
I loved Despicable Me, even though I went into it with low expectations because of all the hype. (something about hype usually turns me off, which is fine, because I like to make my own decision about whether or not I like a book or movie without being bombarded by HYPE)
Maybe if I could get a minion to go to my day-job for me, I'd be able to finish this rewrite before the end of the month!
I'll take some of those Despicable Me minions!
I need loads of minions. They have to be smart enough to do my homework but not so smart they figure out how to usurp me.
Yes! I need tonnes of minions in my book -- the most difficult part is coming up with names for them. ;)
Hmm...So how come there are no cleaning minions?
hahahaha! My minion is too counterproductive sometimes!
I so need some minions. BADLY. I'm not sure I have any in my books, but maybe.
If you do find a way to snag some minions I would love some. Just a few, I could really use some help. They could keep me entertain before the nerves take over!!!
What an adorable post! I heart you!
Okay, now I think I need minions, too!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
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