#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
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"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Dec 11, 2023 18:58:22 GMT -5
Wait that’s so interesting. I’ve read to kill a mockingbird but I completely forgot scout was that young. Even though she doesn’t understand everything, her voice is so much more mature to the point where it doesn’t sound like an 8 year old at all, aside from the innocence. I haven’t read it in a while, so maybe I’m wrong xD
^^’ I agree that anything can work. It really just depends on how you write it. When I was originally thinking of an 8 year old, in my head that just sounds so young xD But I guess it depends on the 8 year old.
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
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"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Dec 11, 2023 19:04:22 GMT -5
To go onto brownies point, too, what’s great about writing is that you did literally do anything. It’s something that you create and no one can tell you what’s right or wrong. So if you want to have a pov from an 8 year old, then I say definitely go for it! That’s your story so it’s up to you! I think the main concern is just the audience. But if you can write a convincing enough story and tell it the way you believe it’s meant to be told, then I think it would be great! Write the story first, though… the way it’s meant to be told. You can worry about the rest later. If you find the POV doesn’t fit the way you originally thought, well, at least you’ve got the character building and the story-building and you can go back and edit it.
That’s just my ten cents xD I think you should do whatever works for you!
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Post by ! (Ġray) ! on Dec 21, 2023 2:37:13 GMT -5
Yo does anyone know how to avoid giving my main characters plot armour? I need them both to stay alive until the end of the story, but I also don't want readers to know that nothing deadly will happen to them so that the fight scenes can actually be dramatic and engaging, anyone have tips?
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Omnisexual
ᦓρ꠸ᥴꫀᠻꪖꪀᧁ
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I need to finish An Isolated Clan ahhhhh
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Post by ᦓρ꠸ᥴꫀᠻꪖꪀᧁ on Dec 21, 2023 7:14:17 GMT -5
Yo does anyone know how to avoid giving my main characters plot armour? I need them both to stay alive until the end of the story, but I also don't want readers to know that nothing deadly will happen to them so that the fight scenes can actually be dramatic and engaging, anyone have tips? Okay, this one is a fifty fifty. It can either give your character too much plot armor or none at all. Get one of them seriously injured. Like, very close to death and slowly have them recover.
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Post by Saint Ambrosef on Dec 21, 2023 9:19:21 GMT -5
It’s okay to have a situation like that once, especially if it leaves the protagonists shaken with the knowledge that they almost died if (x) hadn’t happened. That can reinforce the danger. But don’t do it more than that. An alternative way to highlight the danger is to show how background characters they meet have faced the danger and been horribly affected by it (e.g. maimed, a ghost town, traumatized, etc).
Until then, fight scenes should be believable in the odds of winning. If they have no skill/training and they are going against someone who does, then maybe have two protagonist against one antagonist. Or the antagonist in the scene is handicapped for reasons unrelated to anything the protagonists did (e.g.drugged, needs to bring them in alive so the’re pulling punches, previously injured, etc).
EDIT: the forums deleted the first half of my response??? Too lazy to rewrite that part but basically don’t rely on deux ex macchina or luck to keep getting your characters out of otherwise improbable situation. Have the odds they face be reasonably believeable.
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Post by Brownie on Dec 21, 2023 13:02:20 GMT -5
^^ that's the best advice. If you feel like your characters should not have survived what obstacles that you threw at them... you need to revisit either a) your characters and their ability; you can have an underdog story, but it can't be so lopsided that another character is actually the hero dragging your useless MC around or b) why did you throw that opponent there now? If the only logical conclusion to the plotline is an unbeatable scenario, then you really need to go back and fix the premise/lead up
You can also do the gandalf method: there was this absolutely unwinnable battle, but at the very start of the book gandalf is like "I will magically save everything in five days, just last that long" and so it felt satisfying when the MCs barely held on long enough and didn't feel like an "out" when they were all magically saved. It's all about managing expectations. Readers expected them to barely hold out for the five days, so when they were rewarded for doing so, it didn't feel like plot armor.
If there was no expectation of gandalf magic, it would be a whole different story. MCs must save the fortress... oh no they failed but WAIT GANDALF is a completely different tone
Resources:
Sanderson on making promises and managing reader expectation (the source of the gandalf example)
And same ep, but the other part about promises being broken and why it makes your readers hate some "plot twists" but not others (you should really just watch this entire episode, it really makes you think)
And Brennan about story arcs and "railroading" a plot (some swearing, probably) [/spoiler]
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Post by کیوان on Dec 21, 2023 16:18:03 GMT -5
When writing, are y'all more description-driven or plot-driven? I'm trying to figure out the golden balance, but fear that I focus too much on plot and dialogue.
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Post by Saint Ambrosef on Dec 21, 2023 19:19:33 GMT -5
I haven't done too much of that state of writing (like, the actual writing part), but I lean a little heavy-handed with description. Especially with feelings, facial/body expressions, and setting.
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Post by Brownie on Dec 21, 2023 19:34:12 GMT -5
When writing, are y'all more description-driven or plot-driven? I'm trying to figure out the golden balance, but fear that I focus too much on plot and dialogue. That's really up to you (and your genre). Some genres give more wiggle room to what styles are generally accepted by their readers. That said, anything done WELL is going to overcome generic "rules": second person is a tense most people avoid because readers generally find it distasteful, but that doesn't mean you can't write in second person and be successful, you just have to pay more attention to what you're doing with it, because you have less space to get it wrong before readers won't read anymore. Certain genres and certain audiences will tolerate different things. Esp with prose. If you're writing a snappy, fast paced, first person sci-fi, it will have to be tighter and more well-written than a third person, more laid back descriptive prose, because readers of that genre are more willing to sit through a mediocre slow, third person narrative than they are to deal with a mediocre first person narrator. But I HAVE read first person sci-fi that is awesome; it just has a higher bar it has to reach. And this is kinda generic advice too: You can write whatever you want, however you want, with whatever style/character ect. The key is to understand what you're doing and what you are trying to invoke with that choice, and then use that intentionally to enhance the writing. Making a choice and sticking with it is 10x better than trying to be bland to please everyone. More on topic to your question: you sound like how I write drafts. My first drafts are only dialogue, actions, and very blocky emotional cues "he felt happy when..." All the fancy descriptions, metaphors, using action cues instead of adverbs--all that stuff is second draft/edit work in my workflow. That might be a better style for you. Don't try and cramp your first draft flow to "fix" prose issues. Leave that for editing and let that first draft be as flow state as you can make it.
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Post by Brownie on Dec 21, 2023 21:47:40 GMT -5
here I've been kinda meaning to share my writing process with an edited/unedited side by side for a while now. I will note that this is fanfiction and I've made it a point not to spend more than 2hrs/chapter on revisions for fanfiction, so the paragraph contents are mostly the same, just jostled around a bit. On original works, I might spend a day or more per chapter rewrite and in that case, ideas might be moved around or reworked entirely to improve flow between two "more solid" images/actions. This is also just the process from "basically a glorified outline" first draft to "I could share this with a beta group" first draft ex 1 backstory infodump -> active description, reduction of passive voice REVISED:
With everything so quiet, Kage half expected the store to be locked, but it wasn’t. He moved through the aisles, picking bags of snacks off the racks and slipping them into his pockets. He didn’t realize he was acting as though he were shoplifting the items until he found himself glancing back at the empty register after pocketing a chocolate.
With a chuckle he forced himself to relax, grabbing the next few bags of chips without angling his back to the counter. Kage was surprised the instinct came back so easily, as if it were only yesterday that he was visiting the konbini after class to snatch candy or protein bars in case there was nothing in the fridge when he got home.
Glass doors showcasing the store’s wide variety of beverages lined the back walls. Usually the glass would be fogged with condensation around the edges, but it was eerily clear as Kage opened one of the doors. The air that greeted him wasn’t refreshingly cool, but stale and still. The waters were warm.
DRAFT 1:
With everything so quiet, Kage half expected the store to be locked, but it wasn’t, the door swinging open easily beneath his hand. He moved through the still aisles, picking a few bags of snacks off the racks and slipping them into his pockets as he moved to the back of the store.
He felt like he was stealing. Kage was no stranger to petty shoplifting, though he’d left that hobby behind once he’d graduated middle school. He’d only needed to lean on the skill once or twice since, mostly for aspirin when money was tight and he’d needed it to quell hangovers.
Kage opened the glass and reached for some water bottles. The air that greeted him wasn’t cool, but dead and still. The waters were warm. ex2 First draft dialogue -> an actual scene with character actions REVISED:
he pushed himself to his feet and paced to the kitchen. “What’s our plan of action?” he said, changing the topic. “Since apparently yesterday wasn't a dream.”
Matsuki took Kage’s place on the couch. “I think we should try and frame everything as a wilderness survival scenario,” he said after a short pause. “At least until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Do you have any experience camping?” Kage asked. He was pacing around the kitchen island now, though the cramped movement only made his restlessness worse.
“Not really. You?”
“Nah. I’ve only left Tokyo a few times.” His experience with plants was limited to flower beds and monthly trips to the bank, because the fastest route was through a park.
Matsuki finished the chocolate and carefully folded the wrapper in his fingers, meticulously creasing the edges into tight squares. “At least our hunting and gathering should be limited to stores.”
Kage nodded absently. “Though if my fridge is any indication, there might not be any fresh meat or produce, and we can’t keep anything cold without electricity.” He had taken it for granted how easy it was to find whatever food he was craving.
“Let’s look around and see, first. We can figure everything else out after we see for certain what is available.” At least the convenience store was full of food, and it stood to reason that the other stores would be similarly stocked. There should be plenty of non-perishables around, even if fresh food went bad.
DRAFT 1:
Kage got up from the couch and got himself another water, tossing a second bottle to Matsuki. “So, what’s our plan of action?”
“I think we should try and frame this as a wilderness survival scenario. We have shelter, so that leaves our needs at food, water, and weapons.”
“You watch any of those shows?”
“Not really. You?”
“Nah, didn’t seem interesting. I wasn’t planning on leaving Tokyo. Would have been helpful, now.”
“At least our hunting and gathering should be limited to shops. I don’t know about you, but I definitely know all the best places for food,” Matsuki said with a grin.
“Proteins and produce are still a problem though, if the state of my fridge is any indication. We can’t keep anything cold without electricity. We can’t really cook anything either.”
“Let’s just look around and see what we can find. Anything is better than chips and chocolate.”
Kage nodded. They’d have to do the best they could, for now. At least the convenience store had been full of food; it stood to reason that the other stores would also be stocked with non-perishables. ex3 Doesn't fit style, a little weird pacing -> better description flow, give Matsuki more opportunities to shine as a supporting character (yes, the scene is about a shark in a pool) REVISED:
Everyone else bobbed in the water like a collection of loose buoys. Most of them were in the shallow end of the pool, but a few were scattered around the edges. Kage forced himself to take even breaths, trying to keep as still as possible, kicking only when absolutely necessary and relying on the board to keep his head above the water.
The water beneath his feet was dark. If there were lights underwater, they were turned off, the depths enshrouded. He couldn’t tell if his feet were nearly touching the bottom or if there were meters of water, hiding swirling fins and sharp teeth.
Kage swallowed his fear and focused instead on his breathing. The time ticked downward in large, red numbers on an old analog screen along the back wall, reminding the players of the impossible minutes they’d need to survive. Kage felt like he’d been treading water for an eternity, but it was only thirty seconds before the first scream broke the air.
Something brushed his shoulder and Kage flailed, dropping his grip on the board, only to be pulled backwards by an arm around his waist. “We gotta move. Now.” Matsuki’s voice in his ear was hard to hear over the screams, but at least he wasn’t a strong enough swimmer to resist as Matsuki hauled him along behind, fleeing to the far end of the pool.
Kage let Matsuki grab him under the arm, helping with clumsy kicks. He looked over his shoulder at the chaos in the shallow end of the pool: screaming, splashing, frothing water. But from this distance, he couldn’t tell if the reaction was a chain reaction of panic, or if people were actually getting their legs bitten off. DRAFT 1:
Everyone else bobbed in the water, like a collection of errant buoys themselves. Kage tried to keep as still as possible, using the board to keep his head above water and only kicking when absolutely necessary. Matsuki was holding onto the edge of the pool beside him, also completely still.
Kage couldn’t help but watch the depths beneath his feet, his mind imagining the swirling of fins and teeth. It was dark, murky, in those depths.
He didn’t know if he’d be able to see the shark if it was right below him.
Kage tried to focus on his breathing and not think about how slowly the time was passing. The timer on the back wall was counting down the seconds in large, red numbers.
It felt like forever, but it was only thirty seconds before the first screams rang across the pool. “We need to move. Now,” Matsuki said, and pushed off the wall. He swam with a silent, confident stroke, leaving Kage to fumble behind him.
At least his clumsy kicks weren't drawing the most attention. The shallow end of the pool was absolute chaos: screaming, splashing, frothing water. Kage couldn’t tell if it was just a chain reaction of panic, or if people were actually getting their legs bitten off.
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Post by ! (Ġray) ! on Dec 24, 2023 6:18:13 GMT -5
Is anyone else writing themselves a really self indulgent story for Christmas or is it just me
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
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"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Dec 27, 2023 16:40:01 GMT -5
Hey! Sorry for my absence!
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Dec 27, 2023 16:56:11 GMT -5
That’s so awesome, Spice! I’m happy for you!!
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Post by *Ɗαɾƙρσσℓ* on Dec 28, 2023 14:31:47 GMT -5
i think this is the year i try to figure out if i can put a writing program on my ancient laptop so that i can write on it w/o the distraction of the internet lol
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Dec 31, 2023 17:12:43 GMT -5
Usually I try to stay up to midnight every year writing… but at the moment I have to work. So that probably won’t happen. As for writing goals, it’s still: write more. And, as always, finish my current story. Whether that happens or not idk. But it’s still a goal.
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Post by valleylight on Dec 31, 2023 18:00:35 GMT -5
I’m hoping to finish up the next three chapters of my Warriors fanfic by spring! After that, I’d like to do a bit of research writing.
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
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"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Jan 3, 2024 9:23:52 GMT -5
Yeee~
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Jan 23, 2024 20:51:58 GMT -5
Ikr o.o
I’m always up for listening to peoples projects!
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Omnisexual
ᦓρ꠸ᥴꫀᠻꪖꪀᧁ
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I need to finish An Isolated Clan ahhhhh
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Post by ᦓρ꠸ᥴꫀᠻꪖꪀᧁ on Jan 23, 2024 22:19:41 GMT -5
Ikr o.o I’m always up for listening to peoples projects! So basically it’s about a social experiment created by a crazy scientist. In a flyer, it’s not stated what the experiment is, but said that four kids under the age of sixteen would receive $250,000 for participating. So four kids (our four protagonists) show up for reasons of their own. Marcus, Eleanor, Skye, and Ethan. They sign a contract and agree to the terms of the experiment without knowing (havent figured out why they weren’t able to see the full contract, probably because of an enchantment or something) that they could die doing the experiment. And that itself is the experiment. After signing the paper, they are told one of them will die before the first of the next month. The whole point is that Dr. Snarer, the scientist, wants to see how they’ll react to the fact only one of them will die. So Dr. Snarer sends basically lab created monsters to try and kill them the whole month and they have to work together to fight them off (they are all given weapons btw, forgot about that). They later find out after Eleanor basically dies and comes back to life that only the one of them destined to die can die during that time. After the one destined to die dies towards the end of the book (SPOILER ALERT: Marcus dies) the three remaining protagonists plot to shut down Dr. Snarer and her evil plains once and for all. TL;DR: Four kids enter a social experiment to get money but it turns out that they experiment is to see how they’ll react to the fact one of them will die in the next month. Then they get monsters sent after them and have to survive.
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Post by *Ɗαɾƙρσσℓ* on Jan 24, 2024 11:55:11 GMT -5
the one destined to die dies towards the end of the book (SPOILER ALERT: Marcus dies) you 🤝 me having a character named marcus who dies
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Post by *Ɗαɾƙρσσℓ* on Jan 24, 2024 12:00:32 GMT -5
anyway unrelated creative rambling but my wip development is kind of random in terms of what order world/plot/characters/themes pop up, but usually at least two of them occur very closely together so like i'll get the idea for a character and immediately know what their goal/motivation is and thereby have a building block for the plot, or i'll have a concept for a plot and the world will jump out to shape around the plot. I can't remember the last time I had one element without a broader story concept attached to it? But a couple days ago I suddenly got a character idea, but like. I got nothing else. Have no clue what his world looks like or what's happening in it, and have no clue what his goals or motives are even though I have a somewhat clear idea of his personality. I just. have an OC I guess? It's weird like what do i do with you. why are you here. explain yourself.
on the other hand it's been a while since i had a wholly new creative idea so it's kinda fun.
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
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"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Jan 27, 2024 18:32:41 GMT -5
A lot of times I come up with my characters first and then my stories develop around them. I fall in love with people I make up way too easily, haha.
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Jan 27, 2024 18:35:48 GMT -5
That’s very interesting, Spice!
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Post by Brownie on Jan 28, 2024 13:32:13 GMT -5
Yall my worldbuilding moon phase is waxing
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Post by ! (Ġray) ! on Feb 7, 2024 17:20:59 GMT -5
damn its been too long since anyone's posted on this thread, so I will take this opportunity to complain about how annoying it is to post on ffn
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#f0a9e4
Name Colour
Captain Americat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"Don't frown, someone could be falling in love with your smile." - Teen Wolf
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Post by Captain Americat on Feb 7, 2024 18:12:31 GMT -5
I didn’t know what to say xD
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