#mpdb

As someone who had a cinephile phase and had a fixation for the manic pixie dream girl/boy trope, my 21 year old self would have been screaming the moment Intha gets introduced in the first ep of Cherm Chey.

disclaimer: everything in this post are purely unfiltered thoughts of mine. And i would be referencing from this video when talking about the mpdb trope and why intha is considered as one. PPS: the mpdb trope is not a one size fits all. Each character is unique which is what i love about storytelling.

Intha’s timing

“swoops in when you least expect it, but when you need him the most.”

Our main character Erng went through a very recent breakup from a long term relationship, which means he definitely has to start over. Not only his love life got affected, but the bar he owns is also on the trenches given that his business partner was his ex. What does he need? Healing, rediscovering, soul-searching. His friend spends for his soul-searching trip he was unsure of going but went anyway since his friend already spent on it… prays upon arrival for a new man and look what he got…

“He exists partly as wish fulfillment”

Compared to the mpdg, where in films always portrayed as the edgy, jaded, alternative character (here, Erng fits more of that aesthetic). (Okay, i’ll check the dyed hair here for the mpdb profile) Since it’s not a one size fits all, the mpdb is a more laidback, old soul, treats life as a learning experience, can have jaded ideals too, but often exists for the growth of the ML.

He often feels mysterious or “outside society, This “otherness” makes him seem emotionally intriguing.

What i like about the trope is the certain mystery around his identity. We’ll probably get to know more of Intha soon but for now, there’s a certain mystery to him, where he came from, what’s the deal with him, what does he want, but you’re not actually worried for him because you know he’ll be fine, he seems like he’s got it together despite also having struggles we don’t know yet.

And he’s willing to take that road with Erng, despite meeting him just that day. Free-spirit, old soul.

He’s not actually looking for love, but if it comes, he’ll take it.

“He functions as an emotional rescuer”

Aggressively charming and charismatic. He knows Erng will fall for him. But he does not use that advantage to use or manipulate him into falling for him. He gives good advice, based on his experience. But like I said, he may also have struggles but I do want to say he is emotionally intelligent. He is everything Erng’s ex is not and Erng probably likes him the moment he saw him that’s why he followed him. I can’t wait for In to fall harder for Erng.

His quirks

He’s not a mpdb if he is not uniquely quirky. He seems boring and ordinary on the surface, but little details make him the mpdb. His old soul yet free spirit is also a unique trait to him. Little detail, his obsession with man purse which I find oddly cute. He seems to be 💰loaded💰 but is a cheapass, from his bag, his phone, his clothes. Maybe frugal is the right word.

Erng is definitely the quirky one by the books. Alternative, edgy, his motto is probably “susuka pero hindi susuko” (will puke but won ‘t give up) which is a running joke in the context of drinking, alcohol, night life in the modern times. He is probably living a fast-paced life, got burned out, and met Intha who is probably burned out as well. Intha helps him to live in the moment. Erng helps Intha to live a little, be young and wasted.

The manic pixie dream boy reflects a growing desire for a different kind of masculinity; one that is emotionally open, gentle, creative, and emotionally safe. He often serves as a transformative figure who helps others rediscover joy, healing, and authenticity.

Ahhhhhh I am all here for this with some shitty quotes which render all my shitty quotes redundant.  It’s totally intimating to say these things because the advice I will give is already out there, it’s been said before, in much better, more profound ways. But I won’t let that stop me from saying the same sentiment again, but in my own voice. 

I feel this way all the time.  Comparing yourself directly to the greats of writing is counterproductive. When you read back your writing, judge it against your own progress.  It’s okay to not be brilliant right away, to feel like your never going to get to the ‘masterpiece’ levels that you adore, but you will. You’re probably not doing as badly as you think you are.  

If you write something and you hate it,  leave it alone for a few weeks, hide it.  forget about it and then come back to it later and see how you feel, see how you want to improve and rewrite it. No one creates a masterpiece in their first draft.   

 To become a better writer there are two things you must do. The first is to read, continue reading your favourite authors,  but read everything else as well. Read outside of your comfort zone, read terrible books. Read books about dinosaurs or quantum physics, read poetry and children’s books, read drama and horror. Read everything you can and imagine how you would have written it differently. 

The second, is to write. That’s it. Just write. But again, write out of your comfort zone.  If you want your writing to improve, don’t just practice writing the same type of thing over and over again.  Because you will get better at what you practice, but if you practice bad habits, you’ll be really good at writing in a way that you might not like. Mix it up a bit. Practice writing in different genres and times and voices and characters.  

And the hardest advice to follow of all: don’t worry about it.  Write anyway.

 Your writing is bad?  Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.  

Someone else is better than you? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway. 

You just read an amazing book and are stuck in that world and voice and never want to leave?? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.

 Feel intimidated and in over your head? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway. 

People asking you questions you’re not sure how to answer? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway. 

Writing an answer way longer than the original question? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway. 

Not sure if you’re being helpful or pretentious? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.

 Everyone has a hard time. But try not to dwell on it. You totally got this! 

Goodluck, and keep writing! :) 

Span. 

“Comparison is the thief of joy” - Franklin Roosevelt  

“Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice”